VSGA‘s Golf in the Commonwealth Podcast

Daniel Stamper - Golf in the Commonwealth

We’re releasing this installment on Thursday, March 10, the opening round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. We’ll hear from someone on the ground in Florida, past VSGA intern Daniel Stamper who now works for Trackman as a Tour Operator. Daniel takes us through his long journey from the state of Washington to VCU’s golf team, the value of the connections he made along the way in VCU’s Center For Sports Leadership, and the day-to-day life of running Trackman equipment on the PGA Tour. He also shares the best spot to grab a mid-round taco at TPC Sawgrass.

Michael Brennan - Golf in the Commonwealth

For our second episode of 2022, we’re talking with Michael Brennan, the 2019 VSGA Amateur champion who recently had the opportunity to play in the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational after winning the Collegiate Showcase at Riviera Country Club. It was another accomplishment in a career filled with them. Now a sophomore at Wake Forest, Brennan has won four individual collegiate titles, and all indications are that he’s just getting started.

Kent Holubar - Golf in the Commonwealth

For our first episode of 2022, we catch up again with VSGA manager of championships and junior golf Kent Holubar to see how his Youth on Course incentive trip to Pebble Beach went. Kent was on the podcast in 2021 prior to the 100-Hole Hike, and thanks to hitting the incredible benchmark of $10,000 raised for Youth on Course in Virginia, he earned a trip to California in December to play several iconic courses and spend time with folks from YOC national. Kent also talks about the upcoming VSGA Junior Golf Circuit season as it gets set to resume in the coming weeks. Here's our conversation with the VSGA's Kent Holubar.

Matt Smiley - Golf in the Commonwealth

For our final episode of 2021 we thought it appropriate to provide kind of an all-encompassing look at the VSGA and who better to offer that than our Executive Director, Matt Smiley. Many listeners have asked to hear a conversation with Matt over the course of the year so here you are. That being said, we actually had this conversation back in the fall as we were getting ready for the 100-Hole Hike at The Hollows to raise money for Youth on Course here in Virginia. The hike ended up raising about $55,000 to support Youth on Course here in Virginia all thanks to our hikers and the folks who generously donated to their campaigns. So, you will hear a little hundred-hole hike conversation in there, which, again, took place before the hike. Quick shoutout to our 100-Hole Hike sponsors Adams Performance, Cutter & Buck, Fore Craft Cocktails, GolfDom, Srixon and Turtleson. During the hike, Matt was the only hiker to have find his way around the course playing with each of the other 11 hikers at The Hollows. Without further delay, here’s our conversation with VSGA Executive Director Matt Smiley.

David Partridge - Lunchbox Golfer Inducted to Virginia Golf Hall of Fame

This week we’re sharing David Partridge’s Virginia Golf Hall of Fame induction speech. You may know David’s name from our Virginia Golfer magazine where he’s the author of our recurring Great Holes feature, or as a five-time VSGA player of the year winner or, as you’ll hear from Dottie Pepper, David is the player with the third most VSGA wins behind only Keith Decker and Vinny Giles. Thanks to our friends at Hourigan Construction, Lansing Building Products, Markel, MarshMcLennan Agency, TSW and Virginia Green for their sponsorship and support of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame. Okay, enjoy learning more about Virginia Golf Hall of Fame inductee David Partridge.

Kandi Comer - Success as a Player and Teacher

This week we have audio from this fall’s Virginia Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Kandi Kessler Comer was inducted with the class of 2020 and is currently the Director of Golf at Orchard Creek and has been recognized as a top teacher in Virginia by Golf Digest and as a US Kids Top 50 Junior Instructor.  Special thanks to our friends at Hourigan Construction, Lansing Building Products, Markel, Marsh McLennan Agency, TSW and Virginia Green for their sponsorship and support of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.

Goodwill Golfing - Bargain Finds and Custom Rebuilds

Shopping for clubs at local thrift stores was the most affordable way for a then 22-year-old to get into the game. That quickly became an obsession of searching for bargain clubs that he’d then rebuild and play with himself or sell to others. Five years later, the Goodwill Golfing Instagram account is informing new golfers on clubs from the past and scratching the itch for hipsters looking for niche brands.

Alexandra Austin - Enjoying the Game Again

This week we're returning to our conversations with women who qualified for the 2021 US Women’s Mid-Am and we’re talking with Alexandra Austin. Alex was medalist at the Fredericksburg Country Club qualifier making birdie on the 18^th hole to shoot a one-under par 71. Alex was also the runner-up in the 2021 VSGA Women’s Amateur and earlier in the season partnered with Lauren Greenlief to win their second VSGA Women’s Four-Ball. In this conversation, Alex shares her journey in golf from growing up, playing in college at Radford, to then turning professional and now back to amateur golf.

Giving Tuesday! Have an Impact on Golf

It's Giving Tuesday 2021 and your opportunity to have an impact on golf in Virginia!

 

Visit VSGA.org/engage/donate to make a donation today.

Kristine Rohrbaugh - Opportunities to Play are Motivators

We’re returning this week to our conversations with women who qualified for the 2021 US Women’s Mid-Am and this week we’re talking with Kristine Rohrbaugh. Kristine is a Richmond native who attended the College of William and Mary and has really been in and around golf most of her life with her father having been a professional and owning a couple golf stores in the Richmond area. Kristine shares the fascinating perspective of a thirty something female golfer who works a full-time job, practices a little and plays as much as she can but that still only adds up to Saturdays and Sundays and yet somehow still maintains a competitive edge.