Northern Virginia Senior 4-Ball Entry Available
June 22, 2015
The Northern Virginia Senior Four-Ball championship will be held at Army Navy CC (Fairfax) on Monday, August 3rd. The tournament is open to all male senior golfers, 55 and older, who are residents of Virginia an have an established USGA handicap at a VSGA club (or eClub). Mark Rallas and Mark Boedicker are the defending champions. Additional information is available on the entry form.
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Harry Thomas Wins Northern Virginia Senior Amateur – Jacobi Super Senior Winner
June 16, 2015
Washington GCC’s Harry Thomas won his first Northern Virginia championship today at Evergreen CC when he took the Senior Amateur title by playing the “first in wins” game from a crowded group of contenders. Going into today’s final round, there were eleven golfers within 3 shots of the lead, including the two leaders – Tim Vigotsky (RTJ) and Steve Balavage (Evergreen) at even par 72. After the opening nine in today’s final round, there were still five players within two shots of the lead, at that point being held by Balavage, with a front nine 37 and Eddie Walker (Laurel Hill), who followed a 75 yesterday with 2-under 34 on the front. Vigotsky (39), Thomas ( 73-38) and Doug Banks (Trump National, 73-38) were all 2 shots back. Thomas joined that group by making birdie on the ninth after a double-bogey on the eighth. Vigotsky birdied two holes on the back, including an 11-footer of the par 3 6th to take the lead, but bogied the 17th after missing a downhill 6-footer following a nifty 40 yard bunker shot with an 8-iron. Thomas played steady on the back side with a birdie at the 14th and by the time the final two groups reached the 18th hole, Thomas, Vigotsky and Walker were all tied with Balavage one shot back. Walker and Thomas, playing in the penultimate group, both hit their second shots just in front of the green on the par-5 finishing hole where Thomas made his third birdie in the last 10 holes to finish with 72 and a one-over 145. Walker could not match Thomas’ birdie and finished with 71 (the day’s best round) and a 146 total. Vigotsky, in the last group but unaware he needed a birdie to tie Thomas, hit his drive into the rough and had a decision to make – take a risk going over the water to get closer to the green or lay up with an 8-iron, leaving a wedge into the hole. Vigotsky chose the latter, but his wedge left him with a 30-footer for the birdie which fell just short. Walker and Vigotsky tied for second with 146 . Balavage finished fourth with 72-75-147 and Doug Banks finished fifth at 73-75-148.
In the Super Senior Division, Peter Jacobi (Army Navy) survived three great up-and-downs on the closing holes by Dick Blackburn (Belle Haven) to win by one shot with 70-72-142. Blackburn finished with 70-73 – 143, but kept the pressure on Jacobi to hole critical par putts coming in, by knocking it within inches on the 16th with a 35-yard bunker shot, making par again on the 17th from a difficult pitch in the rough, and again on the 18th from the bunker. Walt Marin (Army Navy) finished third with 75-73-148 while Dave LeClere (International) was fourth with 73-77-150. Hank Webb (Springfield) won the Net Division with net 72-68-140 while Bob Katz (Chantilly National) finished second with 72-71-143.
The Northern Sections would like to extend their appreciation to Evergreen CC, PGA Professional Chris Hall and his staff for hosting the event and their continued support to amateur golf – and in particular senior amateur golf.
Pictured top: Tournament Chairman Don Jeanes, Harry Thomas
Pictured bottom: Peter Jacobi and Jeanes
Final Scores
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Balavage, Vigotsky Lead Northern Virginia Senior Amateur – Blackburn, Holman Lead Super Seniors
June 15, 2015
Steve Balavage, playing his home course, and Tim Vitgotsky (RTJ) are tied for the lead with even-par 72 in the Northern Virginia Senior Amateur being played June 15-16 at Evergreen CC. Harry Thomas (Washington GCC), Mark Rallas (Raspberry Falls) and Doug Banks (Trump National) are one shot back with 73. In the Super-Senior Division, Dwight Holman (PIedmont CC), Peter Jacobi (Army Navy) and Dick Blackburn (Belle Haven) are tied for the lead at 2-under 70. Dave LeClere is one shot back with 73. A score of 81 made the cut in the senior division for Tuesday’s final round, 80 for the super-seniors and net 72 in the net division.
First Round Scores First Round Age Division Results
Final Round Pairings
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Ryan Douglass Continues Excellent Play to Win Northern Virginia Amateur
June 14, 2015
To reference the 1989 movie, the new Northern Virginia Amateur champion’s name isn’t Bill or Ted, but he continued his “Excellent Adventure” this summer with his win today at Dominion Valley CC. In late April, Ryan Douglass completed his first year at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ, where he won his regional in the NJCAA Division II championship, then helped lead his team to the national championship in May, finishing ninth individually and earning All-American honors. With his victory in the Northern Virginia Amateur, he gets to add his name to the Henry Kerfoot trophy, which hosts the names of a virtual Who’s Who in Washington metropolitan golf. Douglass, a graduate of Heritage High School in Leesburg and member of the River Creek Club, entered the day six-under par, 2 shots ahead of another rising college sophmore from Leesburg, Ian Hildebrand, on rounds of 69-69, and three shots ahead of Zach Henry (70-71-141). Hildebrand opened play with the low round of the tournament, a seven-under 65, followed by 75 on Saturday. Douglass birdied the opening hole in today’s final round, but bogied the second and fourth holes before another birdie at the sixth. An eagle at the par-5 seventh hole, however, proved to be decisive as it opened up a five shot lead on Henry and seven shots on Hildebrand. A rain delay and subsequent approaching storm resulted in the decision to reduce the final round to nine holes, making the lead insurmountable with only two holes left for the leaders. Douglass hit his approach on both closing holes to within 20 feet, and despite a 3-putt at the eighth, finished four in front of Henry with a 7-under 173 total. Henry finished second at 3-under 177 with Hilebrand third a 1-under 179. Frank Flaim was fourth at 182. Five golfers tied for fifth with 186 – Trevor Tremps (Williamsburg National), who had a closing 34, Harold Dill, Andy Heye, defending champion Scott Shingler and Doc Shulte. Douglass will continue his “excellent adventure” this summer by competing in both the VSGA State Am and State Open, where he is an automatic qualifier based on his play in the State Open last year, as well as the Eastern Amateur.
The Northern Sections would like to thank Dominion Valley CC, PGA Professional Mason Jobin and his staff for hosting this year’s championship and their continued support for Northern Virginia Amateur golf.
Pictured: Ryan Douglass
Final Scores
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Douglass leads by Two in Northern Virginia Am
June 13, 2015
Ryan Douglass (River Creek Club) shot his second straight 3-under 69 (138) to take a two stroke lead over first round leader Ian Hildebrand going into Sunday’s final round of the Northern Virginia Amateur at Dominion Valley CC. Hildebrand followed his opening 65 with a 3-over 75 (150), while Zach Henry (Shenandoah GC) is in third at 141, being the only other golfer in the field to shoot under-par both rounds besides Douglass. Henry had rounds of 70-71. Frank Flaim is in fourth at 145 (68-77) and Brian Hill (Piedmont Club) is in fifth at 146 (74-72). Sunday’s final round begins at 12:20 with Douglass, Hildebrand, Henry and Flaim teeing off at 2:00.
Second Round Scores Final Round Pairings
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Hildebrand’s 65 Leads Northern Virginia Am by Three
June 12, 2015
Rising Virginia Tech sophomore Ian Hildebrand matched the heat and scorched Dominion Valley CC for a seven birdie, no bogey opening round that left him 3 shots ahead of his nearest compeitor heading into Saturday’s second round. Hildebrand (Stoneleigh GC) graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in 2014 where he was the VHSL AAA State champion as a senior and All – Northern Virginia Golf Athelete of the Year. His birdies came at holes #4, 6,7,8,12,13 and 16. In all, six golfers bettered par with Frank Flaim (Laurel Hill) in second place with 4-under 68, followed by Ryan Douglass (River Creek Club) at 69 and Zack Henry (Shenandoah GC) at 70. Tied for fifth are Steve Castro (Herndon Centennial) and Matthew Ashley (1757 GC) at 1-under 71. The second round will begin Saturday at 1:00 with Hildebrand, Flami, Douglass and Henry teeing off at 2:50.
First Round Scores 2nd Round Pairings
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Northern Virginia Senior Amateur Begins Monday at Evergreen
June 12, 2015
For a handfulfull of competitors in this week’s Northern Virginia Amateur at Dominion Valley CC, the action continues Monday just a couple of miles down US 15 in the Northern Virginia Senior Amateur, being conducted June 15-16 at Evergreen CC. These road warriors include three-time senior champion Stan Williams (2010, 12, 13) and 2007 champion Walt Martin. They wil be joined by defending champion Tom Grady, along with John Hoffman and Mark Rallas who tied for fourth in this week’s VSGA Senior Stroke Play championship. Monday’s opening round will be a shotgun start at 1:30 PM First Round Pairings
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Northern Virginia Amateur Begins Friday at Dominion Valley
June 11, 2015
The 42nd edition of the Northern Virginia Amateur begins Friday at Dominion Valley CC with a 9 AM shotgun start. Five-time, and defending champion, Scott Shingler and 2013/2009 champion Jason Pool head a field of 53 players in the tournament which will continue thru Sunday. First Round Pairings
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Yorktown’s Gallagher Wins VSGA Senior Stroke Play – Hoffman, Rallas and Buckner Tie for Fourth
June 10, 2015
Jim Gallagher birdied the 17th hole at Winchester CC to pull into a tie with two-time defending champion Keith Decker (Martinsville), but bogied the 18th – only to have Decker, playing in the group behind him, make double bogey on the 18th, giving Gallagher the victory after a final round 3-under 69. Gallagher (Yorktown) finished at 2-under 142, after an opening round 73. Decker who was the co-leader with John Hoffman (Westfield’s GC) after the first day with 1-under 71, opened the final round with two straight birdies, then reeled off 15 straight pars before the double at the final hole. Hoffman recovered after an opening nine 39 with birdies on the final two holes for a 74-145 and finished in a tie for fourth with three other players, including Mark Rallas (Raspberry Falls, 72-73) and Rich Buckner (RTJ, 74-71). Mike Howell (International) tied for eighth at 146 while Jon Abbett (Trump National) tied for tenth with 148. For complete results see www.VSGA.org
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Hoffman, Decker Lead VSGA Senior Stroke Play – Vigotsky, Rallas Tied for Third
June 9, 2015
Westfield GC’s John “Boney Hoffman” and two-time defending champion Keith Decker (Martinsville) are the only golfers golfers in the field under-par, sharing the first round lead of the VSGA Senior Stroke Play championship with 1-under 71s. Mark Rallas (Raspberry Falls) and Tim Vigotsky (RTJ) shot even par 72s to tie for third in the event being conducted June 9-10 at Winchester CC. Steve Castro (Herndon GC) and Jon Zampedro (Ft. Belvoir GC) are in a four-way tie for fifth with 73. For complete results see www.VSGA.org
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Northern Virginia Amateur Entry Deadline Extended to Monday, June 8
June 4, 2015
The entry deadline for the Northern Virginia Amateur has been extended to Monday, June 8. The 42nd edition of the championship will be played June 12-14 at Dominion Valley CC in Haymarket, VA. Scott Shingler is the defending chmpion.
You may email the Tournament Director at novaamateur@gmail.com to notify him that the entry is being submitted if you feel it will not arrive by the extended deadline.
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Richmond’s Cumo Wins VSGA Super Senior Stroke Play – Albus Third, Jacobi Fifth
June 4, 2015
Richmond’s John Cumo captured the VSGA Super Senior Stroke Play championship over long-time rival J.P. Leigh (Suffolk) with a birdie on the second playoff hole. The event was conducted at the Elizabeth Manor CC June 2-3, but was shortened to 27 holes due to inclement weather in the opening round. Cumo and Leigh tied with 27 hole totals of 2-over 107 (Cumo, 70-37, Leigh 71-36), one shot better than River Bend’s Bob Albus. Albus was tied for the lead with Cumo after 18 holes with even par 70, but a bogey on the eighth hole of the final nine dropped him into a tie for third. Peter Jacobi (Army Navy) tied for fifth with 74-36-110, while Tom Grady (Shenandoah Valley, 75-36) and Jon Abbett (Trump National, 74-37) tied for ninth with 111. For complete results see www.VSGA.org
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Tallent – Decker Successfully Defend VSGA Senior 4-Ball – Patch-DeRisio Fifth
May 22, 2015
The fact that Pat Tallent (Vienna) and Keith Decker (Martinsville) won the VSGA Senior Four-Ball last year was enough to make them favorites going into this year’s event held May 20-21 at the Federal Club in Glen Allen. Since last year’s victory, however, Decker went on to defend both his VSGA Senior Amateur and Senior Stroke Play titles and Tallent captured the biggest senior title of all – the USGA Senior Amateur, so you could have called them prohibitive favorites. They birdied nine holes in the opening round, including a stretch of 6 in 7 holes, but coupled with 3 bogies, they found themselves 2 shots behind Skip Zobel (Virginia Beach) and Dave Pulk (Williamsburg), who shot an opening round 8-under 64. Paired together in the final round, Tallent and Decker caught Zobel and Fulk on the 12th hole with their fifth birdie of the day, only to fall a shot behind when Zobel – Fulk birdied the 15th. A Tallent – Decker birdie at the 17th pulled them even again where both teams finished at 12 under 132, with Tallent – Decker shooting another 66 and Zobel – Fulk closing with 68. Tallent then made an 8 – footer for birdie on the first playoff hole to win the title for a second year in a row with Decker. Springfield GCC’s Buddy Patch and Dan DeRisio shot 5 under 139 (68-71) to finish fifth, while two area teams tied for seventh at 141 – South Riding GC’s Phil McQuitty and Ross Robinson (71-70), and Westwood CC’s Tim Krouse and John Steele (69-72). For complete results see www.VSGA.org
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Miller-Beach Capture VSGA Four-Ball – Marfori-Mason Fourth
May 10, 2015
Kevin Miller (Charlottesville) and Ben Beach (Glen Allen) won the 50th VSGA Four-Ball conducted at Fawn Lake CC May 8-9. The duo posted 13-under 131 on rounds of 66-65 for a one shot victory over the teams of Dave Pulk – Nathan Dean (Willamsburg) and Jerry Burton (Gordonsville) – Herbie Sargent (Dayton). Three teams with contestants from Northern Virginia had top-ten finishes. Brian Marfori (Fairfax) and Craig Mason (Lorton) had 67-67-134 to finish fourth, Scott Shingler (Haymarket) and Justin Young (Roanoke) tied for fifth with 67-68-135, and Dan Hosek (Alexandria) – Jim Nirich (Catlett) tied for ninth with 68-69-137. For complete results see www.VSGA.org
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Dilli/Storck Win MAGA Senior 4-Ball Over Vigotsky/Krouse – Stout/Rasley Win Super Seniors
May 8, 2015
Tim Dilli (Baltimore CC) and Larry Storck (Hayfields) tied Tim Vigotsky (RTJ) and Tim Krouse (Westwood) with 7-under 65 at Evergreen CC yesterday in the Middle Atlantic Senior Four-Ball, then won in a playoff. Chantilly National’s John Steele and Bob Harwick tied for third with 66. Springfield’s Phil Goldberg and Joe Johnson tied for fifth with 67. Bill Stout Washington Golf) and Dave Rasley (Chaparel Pines) won the Super-Senior Four-Ball with 10-under 62. Two teams from River Bend tied for fourth at 68 – Bob Albus/Sam Hawkins and Dave Stewart/Terry Bracy. For complete results, see www.WMGAGOLF.org
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