Happy 2023 to everyone in VaHGA, and anyone visiting our site who is taking up an interest in hickory golf. I am honored to carry the torch as Captain, but have big shoes to fill and hope I am up to the task. We have a few tournaments already in the works for spring, and I will be reaching out to the group to get a few more on the books, as well as what I hope will be some increased regional play with anyone willing to help facilitate an outing in your area. Here’s to a great year of Hickory play in the beautiful state of Virginia!
History of the Association
The VAHGA was founded in 2012 when 12 hardy souls met on a cold winter’s day to hammer out the particulars of starting an organization. Our first goal was to establish a mission statement: “To enjoy and promote hickory golf in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic”. To this extent we have been very successful. We now have 30+ dues paying members with 18 being lifetime members. We have had a series of challenge matches with the North Carolina group (the VANC HICCUP “The Virginia-North Carolina Hickory Challenge Cup”) and we have had several Virginia Hickory Fourball/Invitationals. We try to have a hickory outing on a monthly basis weather permitting. Our core philosophy is to try to give as many people the sublime and challenging experience of playing clubs from the days gone by. A good man once said “a good shot hit with a modern club goes well; a good shot with a hickory club you feel it in your soul.” I invite any and all to look over our site and consider becoming a member of The Virginia Hickory Golf Association.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2023
With weather breaking early, I am trying to get a few tournaments and meetings scheduled as soon as possible. I would like to contest the VaHGA Gutty Gopher in April. David Farrar will host the Third Annual Richmond Hickory Cup slated for early May. Jim Clawson has agreed to facilitate the Virginia Hickpry Open at Meadowcreek this year also. That said, no need to wait for us to schedule meetings. If you have interest or want to get a group together please reach out, or play at your leisure, and if you want to send your scores we can get them logged on the site.
INNOVATIONS FROM 2020
We have implemented a number of innovations for VaHGA members this year.
1. Renewal of the Virginia Hickory Fourball. See the Events page.
2. VaHGA Gutty Gopher will be our first gutty tournament. See the Events page.
3. VANC HICCUP, our annual challenge match with the NC chapter will be during Mid-Pines Open week (postponed by COVID). See Events page.
4. Regional One Day Tournaments. We are moving one day events around the Commonwealth by asking members to host them. We had a great event in Richmond. One coming up in August in Fairfax. More next year!
5. We have a year-long Gutty Challenge Cup, two person matches played throughout the year.
6. Year-long Hickory Challenge Cup, two person matches played throughout the year. See the menu above for latest standings. VaHGA Gutty and Hickory Players of the Year will be crowned at a year-end event held at Keswick Full Cry Course in December.
7. Hickory Course Records. We are posting hickory course records for any course you are playing. Maybe YOU have the current course record? Post it, and challenge others to come beat it!
We are looking forward to a great year and hope to see you soon on the links. If you can’t make one of our events, you can still participate by playing two person matches in either Gutty or Hickory genres.
Hoping you don’t foozle your drive, find yourself stymied on the green, having to put too much borrow on your ball as you putt, or find yourself having to chip form the fog, I hope to see you all soon!
Rob Gilbert, Sr.
Captain