Category Archives: Local Golf
Newport News Medical Device Manufacturer become official mask of Kingsmill LPGA Tournament
Dominion Energy Charity Classic surpasses $5.1 million generated for local charity since tournament’s debut
2020 event helped generate more than $1.5 million
RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Tournament officials announced today that the 2020 Dominion Energy Charity Classic helped generate more than $1.5 million for charities in the Richmond and Henrico County region, bringing the tournament’s total charitable impact to over $5.1 million since the event debuted in 2016.
The PGA TOUR Champions tournament, currently in its sixth year, is dedicated to giving back charitably in the local community, with a focus on military support. As a result of the 2020 event, the tournament distributed funds to the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, the Richmond Fisher House and more than 100 additional non-profit organizations in Central Virginia.
“Five years in, we have averaged over $1 million a year for charitable organizations in the local area,” said Tom Farrell, executive chairman of Dominion Energy. “2020 was especially challenging for non-profits, so this announcement and its impact comes at a good time. We look forward to hopefully welcoming fans and players back to the area in October for what has become an exciting sports tradition.”
Each year, the Charity Classic offers area non-profit organizations the opportunity to participate in the Birdies for Charity program presented by TowneBank. This program provides participating 501(c)(3) organizations the ability to generate donations that the PGA TOUR bonuses by 10 percent. Some of the organizations that generated significant funds through the program in 2020 included Swim RVA, Richmond Ballet, Mission Gait, Louisa Arts Center, The Richmond Symphony and Boots to Suits.
“During a year that saw the world reeling from a pandemic, we were especially glad the tournament could continue to make a positive impact in our community,” said Executive Director Steve Schoenfeld. “Even without the ability to host spectators on site, the event was able to help generate charitable funds, which is a testament to the philanthropic mentality of the many local residents and corporations that support the tournament.”
“We are excited and grateful that the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (VVSF) has again been chosen to be a recipient of the funds generated by the Dominion Energy Charity Classic,” said John Lesinski, VVSF Board Chair. “The charitable dollars generated by the Charity Classic over the past five years have made a major difference in our efforts to help our military veterans who need financial assistance, to find gainful civilian employment and to prevent homelessness throughout the Commonwealth and will again be used to accomplish our important mission to serve those who have served us.”
Since beginning in 2016, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic has received several accolades. In 2016, 2017 and 2019 the tournament received the Players Award for being voted the favorite event of the year by PGA TOUR Champions players. The 2018 Charity Classic won the Sales Award, recognizing the outstanding sponsorship support from the Richmond business community as well as the 10-year extension announcement with Dominion Energy and The Country Club of Virginia, solidifying professional golf in Richmond through 2029.
The 2021 event will return to The Country Club of Virginia, James River Course, October 21-24, with the top 72 players competing for a $2 million purse. Phil Mickelson is the defending champion.
For additional tournament information or to find out more about Birdies for Charity, please visit www.deccgolf.com.
Joel Paige Named New COO of Williamsburg, VA Golf Resort
7th ANNUAL MEAC GOLF TOURNAMENT THURSDAY JULY 25TH
Jazz Festival Weekend Business Networking and Golf Outing
Jazz Festival Weekend Business Networking and Golf Outing
Saturday June 29, 2019
- Networking
- Golf Tournament
- Food Tasting
- Live Jazz
- Celebrities
- Prizes
- Learn to Play with Lessons from a Pro
The Hamptons Golf Course
320 Butler Farm Road
Hampton, VA
Golfers ($80 per golfer or $300 per foursome) – 8 a.m. Shotgun Start
Food Tasting, Jazz and Networking Only ($20) – Noon to 3 p.m.
Visit golfnetworkingjazz.eventbrite.com for details
Hampton Pirate, Jakari Harris, Named George A. Christenberry Award Recipient
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference announced today that Hampton University women’s golf team member Jakari Harris today as one of 10 recipients of the George A. Christenberry Award. It is the most prestigious academic honor by the conference
The award is given to the male and female student-athlete who attain the highest GPA during their undergraduate collegiate careers.
Harris, a computer science major, carries a 4.06 grade point average, had her best three-round event at the recently completed Big South Championships with a 250 total and a season best round of 79. She leads the team in scoring average at 83.
“I am so proud of Jakari Harris for being Hampton’s first Christenberry Award winner,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. “These awards are very special in the conference and to have her earn one in our first season shows the type of student-athlete we aim for at Hampton University.”
“I would also like to extend my congratulations to Jakari Harris for being Hampton’s first George A. Christenberry Award winner,” said Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert, Chancellor and Provost for Hampton University. “Earning this prestigious award from the conference reinforces the “Standard of Excellence” that has been a motto of Hampton University forever.”
Big South member institutions nominate one male and one female undergraduate student-athlete for the annual Christenberry Award. The honor is named for George A. Christenberry, the former President of Augusta College (now Augusta University) and one of the founders of the Big South Conference. A member of the Big South Hall of Fame, Christenberry served as the league’s first President from 1983-86.
The award will be presented to Harris at the Spring Meetings on May 30 in Hilton Head, S.C.
Pure Silk Championship Will Be Presented by Visit Williamsburg This May at Kingsmill Resort
(Williamsburg, Va.) – The Pure Silk Championship is excited to announce the addition of a new presenting partner, Visit Williamsburg, as they prepare for the prestigious LPGA tournament at Kingsmill Resort, May 20-26. As Greater Williamsburg’s official tourism department, Visit Williamsburg is proud to support women’s professional golf with this partnership as it is succinct with their mission statement of strengthening community through tourism through increased awareness, affordability, accessibility and attractiveness. Annually this renowned tournament brings fans, players, volunteers and businesses together and helps put Williamsburg, Virginia on both a national and international stage.
The Pure Silk Championship presented by Visit Williamsburg will showcase top women golfers from around the world as they compete for a $1.3 million purse in a 72‐hole stroke play tournament. This week-long event draws fans globally and will take place on Kingsmill Resort’s River Course, a 6,379-yard, Par 71, Pete Dye-designed layout, which has boasted a combined 36 LPGA and PGA victories from elite players. It has long been a player favorite, given the wonderful support of the community, the incredible volunteers and exquisitely manicured River Course.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with Visit Williamsburg to continue to build community among our historic triangle of Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown,” Kingsmill Resort Chief Operating Officer, John Hilker said. “This first-class community event draws visitors both nationally and internationally to experience the entertainment, dining, sports and shopping we provide throughout the area.”
For more information on the Pure Silk Championship presented by Visit Williamsburg, resort accommodations, hospitality packages and tickets visit https://www.kingsmill.com/lpga-championship/
Hampton Mens Golf Finished Fifth At PGA Championship
Port St. Lucie, Fl. – The Hampton men’s golf team concluded their season over the weekend with a fifth-place finish in the PGA Work Collegiate Championships hosted by the PGA of America at the PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker course in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Bethune-Cookman won the event after rounds of 300-290 for a 590 total to squeak out a four-stroke victory over FAMU who shot 300-294 for a 594. Tennessee State finished third with a total of 597, while Savannah State placed fourth with a total of 610. Men’s Division I was the only score to be shortened by the rain.
Arriek Douglas tied for 18th as he shot a total of 153 with rounds of 76-77.
Everett Whitten, Jr., shot rounds of 72-81 for a total 153 total and finished tied for 18th.
Jairus Gaines shot rounds of 80-79 for a total of 159 to place 27th overall.
Jordan Samuels finished 35th after rounds of 87-78 for a 165 total.
Mateo Manzanares placed 50th after scoring rounds of 89-76 and a WD for his total.
For more information on Hampton University men’s golf, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
LPGA Announces Kingsmill Championship Contract Extension
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Kingsmill Resort announced recently a contract extension for the Kingsmill Championship Kingsmill Resort, which has held the Kingsmill Championship tournament annually since 2003, will renew its title sponsorship for an additional three years (2018-2020).
“We are thrilled Kingsmill Resort has extended our long-term partnership as it ensures that we will continue the rich tradition of showcasing the best golfers in the world, at one of the very best resorts in the world,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan.
“Everything at Kingsmill is first class –– from the beautiful resort, to the championship River Course, to the incredible volunteers, to the way they treat players and fans alike.”
The contract extension allows the LPGA to continue to add to the list of past Kingsmill Championship winners, which includes the likes of LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famers Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb.
“Kingsmill Resort is honored and incredibly excited to once again partner with the LPGA Tour as we announce the extension of a 35-year-old tradition of professional golf being played at Kingsmill Resort,” Kingsmill Resort’s Chief Operations Officer John Hilker said. “On behalf of our staff and the thousands of volunteers who make the Kingsmill Championship possible, we look forward to working within the Hampton Roads community to provide individuals, families and juniors an opportunity to create and share lifelong memories surrounding the game of golf.”
At the 2017 Kingsmill Championship, current World No. 2 Lexi Thompson famously skydived into her pro-am tee time and then went on to set a tournament scoring record and capture her eighth career win on the LPGA Tour. Thompson was thrilled to hear the LPGA is continuing its annual stop in Williamsburg, saying, “I’m excited to hear that the LPGA will continue to have the Kingsmill Championship. It’s always been one of my favorite stops on Tour with some of the best fans. I can’t wait to return to the Kingsmill Resort next year to defend my title.”
LPGA Tour players consistently rave about the Kingsmill Resort, especially three-time Kingsmill Championship winner and LPGA Tour veteran Cristie Kerr, who said at this year’s tournament: “I just love the feel of the place. It’s a big golf course. It’s a classic golf course with very good greens. I just love the layout.”
Hole 17 at the River Course: The Most Historic 177 Yards of Golf In America
The River Course, Williamsburg, Va. – On the colorful scorecard, hole 17 at Kingsmill Resort’s River Golf Course reads like thousands of other golf holes around the world: 177 yard Par 3. And that’s a shame. It should read: “You are about to play the most historic 177 yards of golf in America. Take it all in. Don’t rush. Look around and imagine how this very land played a role in American history starting in 1607.”
Thanks to its strategic and inviting position overlooking the James River, the tee box features clearly visible remnants of the earthen works (a hastily made fort or defensive structure) from the American Revolution, which was then repurposed (location, location, location) in the War Between the States. Today a Civil War cannon and flag guard this sacred ground. We’re sure some golfers would like to use the cannon to launch their ball to the tee (not allowed).
But well before aggression – or the early settlers who arrived to this very shoreline to seek a new home –Native Americans lived here and enjoyed the oysters still plentiful and being served up at the 19th hole at Kingsmill. Today, when golfers walk between the tee box and the green at the River Course’s 17th hole, they are stepping on the same land where the Jamestown settlers stepped off their boat in 1607. Those settlers would later sail upriver and start what is now the United States of America at Jamestown. The old pilings in the river are the location of their original port and the beginning of the road from the James River to Williamsburg, the amazing Colonial town that’s still thriving 400 years later. To the left of the hole are the foundations of what was basically a pub, early warehouse, hotel and some say a brothel all dating way back before 1776.
That’s 177 yards of history from the Native Americans to the Jamestown Settlers, Williamsburg, the American Revolution and Civil War to where LPGA players now tee off in an annual professional golf tournament. Kingsmill Resort is also the place where President Clinton, Bush (43) and Obama have come to meet, relax, work and rehearse for debates. Today golfers, families, couples and friends come to Kingsmill Resort’s hallowed ground to make their own history.
And while you may not eagle this hole (which would be a hole in one, too) it’s quite common to see the American Bald Eagle flying overhead. They nest on the grounds of Kingsmill Resort. Perfectly fitting for the most historic 177 yards of golf, in America.
Winston Churchill said, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” In golf, amateurs call this a mulligan, and if there is any golf hole in America to pause, stop, take it all in – and repeat – this is it.