Page 43 - The Golf Guide, Summer 2018

Out of the Bag Out of the Bag

They’re Back! Quicken Loans has signed a physician who served at the Greenbrier
on to be the title sponsor of the 2018 during World War II when the resort, known
Quicken Loans National again. You may in 1942-46 as Ashford General Hospital,
recall we told you in our last issue the treated sick and wounded U.S. troops.
event lacked a sponsor and was going Greenbrier’s Old White TPC hosts the PGA
to be called The National. Well, some Tour’s annual Greenbrier Classic.
11th hour negotiations between parties
and everyone is happy! This year’s event There has been quite a shake-up on the
will be played again at TPC Potomac Williamsburg golf scene. Two courses
from June 25 through July 1. Quicken Loans golfer Rickie Fowler will participate for instrumental in developing that region
a fourth consecutive year. “We are excited to have Quicken Loans continue as the title as a destination, Royal New Kent and
sponsor of The National in 2018 and look forward to our host Tiger Woods and the Stonehouse, both designed by Mike Strantz, The Greenbrier - Ashford
PGA TOUR’s stars coming to TPC Potomac,” tournament director Mike Antolini said. closed at the start of the year. Royal New
The Quicken Loans Shot for Heroes will also return. Open to all Kent was purchased by Wingfield Golf Management in June. Traditional Golf Properties,
fans attending the tournament, Shot for Heroes raises money who owed both, also recently sold off a third Williamsburg property. Brickshire Golf Club
for U.S. military-affiliated charities. You can find tickets at was sold for $2 million to the Brickshire Community Association, a group that represents
nationalgolftournament.com. Youth tickets for kids 15 and under the nearly 1,100-lot housing development surrounding the course. Jerry Assessor,
are complimentary when accompanied by a ticketed adult. president of the association, said “The encouraging part is that the neighborhood came
together and recognized the value of maintaining the golf course.” The course will also
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its be managed by Wingfield. The South Carolina-based company also manages Viniterra
2018 Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grants to nine young individuals with financial aid. Golf Club in New Kent. A saving grace for golf in the region is the recent purchase of the
Established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske, the Garske grant Colonial Downs horse track and the announcement that the Pamunkey Indian Tribe plan
program is funded by the golf course accessory company. For 15 years, the program to build a casino resort there. It certainly will add some spice to the area’s tourism if it all
has helped children and stepchildren of GCSAA members fund their education at an comes to fruition.
accredited college or trade school. Nine grants are awarded for a total of $12,000 based
on community service, leadership, academic performance, and a written essay. “GCSAA’s The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition met in
commitment to our members extends to the prosperity of their children as well,” said May on the South Lawn of White House. Our 45th President, you
GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “Through the generosity of longtime supporter Par Aide, we know, the avid golfer, hosted the event which had many other sports
can help the children of our members further their own professional dreams through the represented also including track and field, soccer, baseball, and flag
Garske grants.” football. LPGA’s Natalie Gulbis is the golf representative on the
council. President Donald Trump urged youngsters to “work hard,
Things are rosy for the world leader in golf lessons and one get in the game, play to win and, most of all, have a good time.”
of the largest employers of PGA Professionals. GOLFTEC Trump had issued an executive order earlier this year that refocused
has reported a dramatic increase in revenue and merchandise the council on youth sports to reverse a trend of declining participation. The council began
sales of more than 65 percent since launching its completely overhauled TECFIT Club in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
®
Fitting Program a little more than a year ago. A company-wide initiative now available
in more than 120 locations, the TOUR-like fitting experience provides the average golfer Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina (HRCB) has announced that
with the opportunity to truly improve their game via a customized fitting experience. In Abby Messick has been named Director of Golf at River Marsh Golf Club in Cambridge,
a span of less than six months, GOLFTEC has given more than 12,000 club fittings to MD. An LPGA Teaching & Club Pro Division Class A Member since 2008, Messick is one
golfers of all skill levels. GOLFTEC has more than 200 training centers around the world of only 200 members who have earned this title. Her new role includes overseeing all daily
including locations in Gaithersburg and North Bethesda, MD, and Tysons Corner, VA. To operations of the club and course. “Hyatt has consistently been ranked a top workplace for
learn more about GOLFTEC, please visit golftec.com. women throughout the country, motivating and empowering women to take on leadership
roles,” said Joel Bunde, General Manager. Messick joined HRCB when the property
Rob McNamara, the head golf professional at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, opened in August 2002.
VA, for the past 24 years, was honored by the Middle Atlantic Section of the Professional
Golfers’ Association (MAPGA) as the 2018 Professional of the Year during the
association’s annual Hall of Fame Banquet. This high honor bestows special recognition
on a PGA Professional for overall performance as a PGA Professional, leadership, service,
and promotion of the game of golf. Way to go Rob!
The Greenbrier Resort will open a nine-hole short course in August to complement the
three 18-hole regulation courses at the resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. The Ashford
Short Course will be a walking-only layout of holes ranging from 56 to 112 yards. The
trend follows similar openings at resorts such as Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Pinehurst
in North Carolina. The Ashford course is named in honor of Army Col. Bailey K. Ashford,

40 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM SUMMER 2018 41