FARMVILLE –– The Virginia State Golf Association’s 2009 men’s championship season opens this weekend as the VSGA Sectional Team Championship makes its first visit to The Manor Resort Golf Club. The 2009 event marks the 38th playing of the event.
A total of 13 eight-player teams, comprised of regular (six players) and senior competitors (two players ages 55-and-over) will combine and compete in the four-ball stroke play event. In the four-ball stroke play format, each player plays his ball into the hole, but only the best score is counted toward each team’s aggregate.
At last year’s event, Northern Virginia Central shot a final round total of 13-under 275 to claim victory at Ford’s Colony Country Club’s Marsh Hawk Course. In final day action, Northern Virginia Central team members posted four rounds in the 60s and concluded the event at 29-under 543 to finish a shot clear of Portsmouth/Norfolk, which fired a day-two best 22-under 266 (544, -28). The Williamsburg section (276, -12) placed third at 24-under 548.
A newly-formed VSGA section in ’08, Northern Virginia Central was paced by seniors Tom Grady (Marshall)-Don Jeanes (Fairfax), who shot a team-best 4-under 68 on the event’s final day. Meanwhile, regulars Trey Treadwell and Rich Sobonya of Haymarket, Jim Nirich (Catlett)-Bill Musto (Sterling) as well as Centreville residents Craig Groenendaal-Tim Vigotsky all posted 3-under 69 in Sunday’s final round action.
For Northern Virginia Central, Grady and Jeanes return on the seniors’ side as does Nirich among the regulars. This year’s squad also features reigning Northern Virginia Amateur champion Scott Shingler of Haymarket along with Samuel Banks (McLean), Rich Buckner (Chantilly), Andy Heye (Centreville) and Randy Banks (McLean).
Northern Virginia East, 19-time winners of the event as the Northeast section, also boasts a strong team that includes 2007 VSGA Mid-Amateur champion Dan Hosek (Alexandria) as well as former VSGA State Am runner-up Jason Pool (Dunn Loring). Former VSGA Senior Four-Ball winner William Stout (Arlington) and Walt Martin (Oakton) comprise the senior contingent.
Richmond-area teams have fared well in the event, claiming five titles, all since 1997. In addition to its last triumph in 2007, Richmond South claimed the 1997 title, while Richmond North has traditionally fielded a strong team as well, notching three consecutive victories from 1998-2000. Richmond North has again assembled a strong team this year, which includes ’08 VSGA State Am semifinalist Jordan Utley (Richmond) and past VSGA Public Links Championship semifinalist Jay Livingston (Glen Allen).
In this year’s event, Richmond South features a strong team, which includes reigning Willow Oaks Fall Invitational champions Scott Campbell (Mechanicsville) and Larry Loving (Richmond) as well as former Richmond Golf Association Mid-Am winner Glenn Mullian (Richmond). The team’s strong senior contingent is comprised of ’08 VSGA Senior Stroke Play and Senior Four-Ball champion Steve Isaacs (Richmond) and former
VSGA Senior Am champion John Cuomo (Richmond).
Initiated in 1972, this year’s field is deep and includes four-time VSGA Senior Stroke Play champion J.P. Leigh of Suffolk (Norfolk / Portsmouth section) and ’08 VSGA Senior Four-Ball winner Dayton Slater of Leesburg (Northern Virginia West).
FARMVILLE –– Team groupings for the 38th VSGA Sectional Team Championship at The Manor Resort Golf Club on Saturday, April 18 (9:30 a.m. shotgun start).
* - denotes senior competitors.
SECTION: Danville/Martinsville
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Harry Lea (Danville)-Doug Kendrick (Danville)
Regulars: Knox Milligan (Danville)-Austin Harper (Danville); Scott Blankenship (Danville)-Scott Wintrode (Danville); Jack Adkins (Martinsville)-Jeff Adkins (Martinsville)
SECTION: Far West
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Larry Dye (Tazewell)-Kenny Richardson (Richlands)
Regulars: Chris Dye (Tazewell)-Joe McCall (Richlands); David Schmidt (Wytheville)-Jim Huffman (New Castle); Buck Brittain (Tazewell)-Brad Chambers (Fries)
SECTION: Lynchburg
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Paul Staley (Lynchburg)-Chuck Brewer (Forest)
Regulars: Rodney Laughon (Lynchburg)-Stewart Sigler (Lynchburg); Lanny Duncan (Forest)-Brian Horning (Forest); David Brogan (Lexington)-J.W. Entsminger (Lexington)
SECTION: Norfolk/Portsmouth
GROUPINGS: Seniors: J.P. Leigh (Suffolk)-Bobby Bleiler (Suffolk)
Regulars: Tim Jones (Suffolk)-Greg Terrell (Suffolk); Matt Angelelli (Suffolk)-David Szymanski (Suffolk); Preston Leigh (Suffolk)-Ashton Newsom (Chesapeake)
SECTION: Northern Virginia Central
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Tom Grady (Marshall)-Don Jeanes (Fairfax)
Regulars: Andy Heye (Centreville)-Rich Buckner (Chantilly); Scott Shingler (Haymarket)-Jim Nirich (Catlett); Samuel Banks (McLean)-Randy Banks (McLean)
SECTION: Northern Virginia East
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Walt Martin (Oakton)-William Stout (Arlington)
Regulars: Jason Pool (Dunn Loring)-Rob Menefee (Alexandria); Jeffrey Topp (Fairfax)-Dan Hosek (Alexandria); Gray Hamilton (Springfield)-Chris Huemmer (Springfield)
SECTION: Northern Virginia West
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Dayton Slater (Leesburg)-TBD
Regulars: Daniel Hurley (Leesburg)-Tom Brouse (Leesburg); Marc Montgomery (Leesburg)-Lance Rice (Purcellville); Michael Brennan (Leesburg)-Brian Agee (Leesburg)
SECTION: Peninsula
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Tommy Dishman (Hampton)-Arnold Todd (Newport News)
Regulars: Jim Gallagher (Yorktown)-Brian Jeltema (Yorktown); Ronald Sullins (Yorktown)-John Kline (Hampton); Mike Askew (Hampton)-Steve Widden (Hampton)
SECTION: Piedmont
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Terry Towler (Dillwyn)-Jimmy Paul (Farmville)
Regulars: Richard Hite Jr. (Kenbridge)-Steven Hite (Kenbridge); Danny Houchins (Crewe)-Zach Smith (Lawrenceville); Jeff Kidd (Boydton)-Chris Bailey (Buffalo Junction)
SECTION: Richmond North
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Bert Wilson (Mechanicsville)-Tony Aguiar (Richmond)
Regulars: Jordan Utley (Richmond)-Greg Marshalek (Richmond); Scott Bemberis (Richmond)-Chris Serafim (Richmond); Jay Livingston (Glen Allen)-Van Williams (Glen Allen)
SECTION: Richmond South
GROUPINGS: Seniors: John Cuomo (Richmond)-Steve Isaacs (Richmond)
Regulars: Larry Loving Jr. (Richmond)-Scott Campbell (Mechanicsville); Paras Pandya (Midlothian)- Starell Cox (Chesterfield); Glenn Mullian (Richmond)-Robert Edwards (Richmond)
SECTION: Virginia Beach
GROUPINGS: Seniors: George B. Owens (Virginia Beach)-Billy McClanan (Virginia Beach)
Regulars: Mike Hays (Virginia Beach)-Matt Hopkins (Virginia Beach); Bill McClanan (Virginia Beach)-Wes Smith (Virginia Beach); Tony Mauro (Virginia Beach)-Skip Zobel (Virginia Beach)
SECTION: Williamsburg
GROUPINGS: Seniors: Harry Cain (Williamsburg)-Bill Kellam (Williamsburg)
Regulars: Wes Eure (Williamsburg)-Steve Morris (Williamsburg); Bob Jones (Williamsburg)-Dan Kessinger (Williamsburg); Nicholas Crowe (Williamsburg)-Garrison Fowler (Farmville)
FARMVILLE –– Groupings for the 38th VSGA Regional Team Matches at The Manor Resort Golf Club on Saturday, April 18 (9:30 a.m. shotgun start).
* - denotes senior competitors.
Tee - Groupings
1A – * - Tom Grady (Northern Virginia Central section)-Don Jeanes (Northern Virginia Central section); * - J.P. Leigh (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)-Bobby Bleiler (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)
1B – Andy Heye (Northern Virginia Central section)-Rich Buckner (Northern Virginia Central section); TBD (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)-Greg Terrell (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)
2A – Scott Shingler (Northern Virginia Central section)-Jim Nirich (Northern Virginia Central section); Matt Angelelli (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)-David Szymanski (Norfolk / Portsmouth section)
3A – * - Harry Cain (Williamsburg section)-Bill Kellam (Williamsburg section); * - John Cuomo (Richmond South section)-Steve Isaacs (Richmond South section)
3B – Samuel Banks (Northern Virginia Central section)-Randy Banks (Northern Virginia Central section); Preston Leigh (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)-Ashton Newsom (Norfolk/Portsmouth section)
4A – Wes Eure (Williamsburg section)-Steve Morris (Williamsburg section); Larry Loving Jr. (Richmond South section)-Scott Campbell (Richmond South section)
5A – Bob Jones (Williamsburg section)-Dan Kessinger (Williamsburg section); Paras Pandya (Richmond South section)-Starell Cox (Richmond South section)
6A – * - Larry Dye (Tazewell)-Kenny Richardson (Richlands); * - George B. Owens (Virginia Beach)-Billy McClanan (Virginia Beach)
6B – Nicholas Crowe (Williamsburg section)-Garrison Fowler (Williamsburg section); Glenn Mullian (Richmond South section)-Robert Edwards (Richmond South section)
7A – Chris Dye (Far West section)-Joe McCall (Far West section); Mike Hays (Virginia Beach section)-Matt Hopkins (Virginia Beach section)
8A – David Schmidt (Far West section)-Jim Huffman (Far West section); Bill McClanan (Virginia Beach section)-Wes Smith (Virginia Beach section)
8B – Buck Brittain (Far West section)-Brad Chambers (Far West section); Tony Mauro (Virginia Beach section)-Skip Zobel (Virginia Beach section)
9A – * - Bert Wilson (Richmond North section)-Tony Aguiar (Richmond North section); * - Paul Staley (Lynchburg section)-Rick Bendall (Lynchburg section)
10A – Jordan Utley (Richmond North section)-Greg Marshalek (Richmond North section); Rodney Laughon (Lynchburg section)-Stewart Sigler (Lynchburg section)
10B – Scott Bemberis (Richmond North section)-Chris Serafim (Richmond North section); Lanny Duncan (Lynchburg section)-Brian Horning (Lynchburg section)
11A – * - Walt Martin (Northern Virginia East section)-William Stout (Northern Virginia East section); * - Harry Lea (Danville/Martinsville section)-Doug Kendrick (Danville/Martinsville section)
11B – Jay Livingston (Richmond North section)-Van Williams (Richmond North section); David Brogan (Lynchburg section)-J.W. Entsminger (Lynchburg section)
12A – Jason Pool (Northern Virginia East section)-Rob Menefee (Northern Virginia East section); Knox Milligan (Danville/Martinsville section)-Austin Harper (Danville/Martinsville section)
13A – Jeffrey Topp (Northern Virginia East section)-Dan Hosek (Northern Virginia East section); Scott Blankenship (Danville/Martinsville section)-Scott Wintrode (Danville/Martinsville section)
13B – Gray Hamilton (Northern Virginia East section)-Chris Huemmer (Northern Virginia East section); Jack Adkins (Danville/Martinsville section)-Jeff Adkins (Danville/Martinsville section)
14A – * - Tommy Dishman (Peninsula section)-Arnold Todd (Peninsula section); * - Terry Towler (Piedmont section)-Jimmy Paul (Piedmont section)
15A – * - Dayton Slater (Northern Virginia West section)-TBD (Northern Virginia West section); Jim Gallagher (Peninsula section)-Brian Jeltema (Peninsula section)
16A – Daniel Hurley (Northern Virginia West section)-Tom Brouse (Northern Virginia West section); Richard Hite Jr. (Piedmont section)-Steven Hite (Piedmont section)
17A – Ronald Sullins (Peninsula section)-John Kline (Peninsula section); Marc Montgomery (Northern Virginia West section)-Lance Rice (Northern Virginia West section)
18A – Mike Askew (Peninsula section)-Steve Widden (Peninsula section); Danny Houchins (Piedmont section)-Zach Smith (Piedmont section)
18B – Michael Brennan (Northern Virginia West section)-Brian Agee (Northern Virginia West section)
NOTES TO COMPETITORS AND MEDIA
The Manor Resort Golf Club (Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19 – 9:30 a.m. shotgun starts)
Cookout following play on Saturday, April 18 at approximately 2 p.m.
General Manager / Director of Golf: John Prengaman, PGA
Assistant Golf Professional: Tony Marino
Course Superintendent: Edward Evers
Directions: Take Route 460 to Farmville to Route 15 South toward Hampden-Sydney. The course is one mile on the left hand side of Route 15 (turn left at the sign).
