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Augusta National in November? 5 reasons why this year’s Masters will stand alone in history

If you’re clicking around on the remote control while watching TV this weekend, odds are, you’ll stumble on som sights of Augusta National Golf Club. Yes, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, that will be the case for the first time in the history of the illustrious tournament. Paul Casey of England plays a shot on the second hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 09, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith) (Getty Images)One of the reasons the Masters is often the most-rated golf tournament is the stunning sight of azaleas and other flowers throughout the course. No fansThis won’t be any different from any other golf tournament or major sporting event this year.

Here’s why an albatross is the rarest achievement in golf

While a birdie is 1-under par on a hole and an eagle is 2-under par, a step better than that is an albatross, which is 3-under par on a hole. In the four major tournaments, it has only happened 18 times since 1870, according to GolfLink. An albatross has happened the most times at golf’s oldest major, the British Open, which has seen an albatross occur eight times in its history. The U.S. Open and PGA Championship were the last to see three, by Nick Watney in 2012 and Joey Sindelar in 2006, respectively. Maggert has two of the 18 albatrosses at major tournaments, collecting one at the 1994 Masters and one during the 2001 British Open.

Need to burn your kids’ energy? Try golf -- as in, real golf

But if you’re in need of more ideas, how about this one: Have you tried taking your kid golfing? Depending on which part of the country you golf, other wildlife such as deer and alligators can also easily be present on a golf course. On a side note, you don’t have to have your kid hit EVERY shot. Golf courses know the value of introducing the game to youngsters, and thus, will often offer heavy discounts for kids to play, if they even charge them at all for a round. Some golf courses also will offer discounts for families who want to play.

Virginia Tech’s Mark Lawrence Jr. claims 2020 Delta Dental State Open title

ROANOKE, Va. – He’s been knocking on the door the past few years and on Saturday, it finally opened up for Mark Lawrence Jr. The Virginia Tech senior closed out the 2020 Delta Dental State Open with a final round score of 3-under 69. Lawrence finished with a three round total of 200, 16-under par, breaking the tournament record for lowest 54-hole total by four strokes. The next closest finisher was Salem native Justin Young, who finished the tournament with a score of 9-under par. 2020 was the seventh and final year the State Open was sponsored by Delta Dental and hosted at Ballyhack Golf Club.

Ferrum football hosts annual Hank Norton Memorial Golf Tournament

Dozens of current and former Ferrum college football players came together for the 2020 Hank Norton Memorial Golf Tournament at Botetourt Golf and Swim Club. The outing serves as a fundraiser and great event for fellowship, giving former players the chance to have a homecoming of sorts while paying homage Norton who left a lasting legacy at Ferrum College. Former NFL star Chris Warren made a return trip to the valley, while Virginia Tech Hall of Famer and former NBA star Dell Curry made a celebrity guest appearance. Hes also the the brother-in-law of first year head coach Cleive Adams, who led the event for the first time since taking over the helm at Ferrum. Its a great program and you can see it here with the support, Curry said.

Virginia Tech’s Mark Lawrence Jr. looking for Delta Dental State Open win before senior year

ROANOKE, Va. – The Delta Dental State Open begins on Thursday and on Tuesday Ballyhack held its annual kids camp. “It’s a little chaotic but its exciting being able to go back one more year, play with my teammates again. Just try to get another year under my belt of preparation and try to get better,” he said. The youth day event pairs area children with local golf pros for a day of fun and life lessons applicable on and off the course. To date, the tournament has generated more than $100,000 to help children build life skills through golf.

Delta Dental State Open preps for final year at Ballyhack

ROANOKE, Va. – The Delta Dental State Open of Virginia is one of the most highly regarded tournaments in the Commonwealth. “The contract ended with Ballyhack and Delta Dental. We’re hoping to announce a sight shortly after the 2020 Delta Dental State Open of Virginia,” said Guhl. 2019 Delta Dental State Open of Virginia Champion (VSGA)Jay Woodson became a 4-time winner in 2016 and Lanto Griffin birdied his way to victory in 2015 and has since earned a PGA Tour victory. As golfers get ready to tee off next week, they’re hoping to save they’re best for the last run at Ballyhack, which has been a hole-in-one for the Delta Dental State Open.

John Hatcher Fergsuon wins 2020 Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Mens Division Championship

ROANOKE, Va. As John Hatcher Ferguson approached the first tee at 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, he was cool, calm, collected and loose-- but not too loose. That demeanor translated to his golf game in the final round of the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame tournament. Blacksburg Country Club had three golfers finish in the top 5 --Aaron Summers, Brandon Linkous and Ben Carroll-- so they secured the team title. In the womens divison, Ashnoor Kaur and Cassidy Chambers went to a one-hole playoff where Kaur of Roanoke Country Club secured the victory. In the womens senior division, Dot Bolling of Hidden Valley Country Club won the title, finishing with a 10-stroke lead over Debbie Young of Blue Hills Golf Club.

One year removed from the Womens U.S. Open, Amanda Hollandsworth ready to compete again

FLOYD, Va. The last time the 10 sports team chatted with Virginia Tech golfer Amanda Hollandsworth, she was at the Womens U.S. Open. Yeah last June, about a year ago, a lot has happened, Hollandsworth said. Thank goodness that golf courses didnt close though, Ive really gotten to work on my game, she said. Ive gotten to play a lot at the Pete Dye River Course and out here at Great Oaks. Shes ready to prove the difference in her golf game since being on the big stage one year ago.

Hatcher Ferguson leads the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame after two rounds

DALEVILLE, Va. The 2020 Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Tournament started on Friday at Botetourt Golf and Swim Club. Summers, who is representing Blacksburg Country Club, is still among the top after the second round but in a bit of a distant second. Fellow Blacksburg Country Club teammate Ben Carroll had a solid start before being tripped up on the 4th and 5th hole where he had back-to-back bogeys. The day belonged to Franklin County native John Hatcher Ferguson, who is representing Westlake Golf Club. Cassidy Chambers is leading the womens division, while Dot Bolling is leading the senior womens division.

‘It’s definitely a punch in the stomach’: Community reacts as Greenbrier, PGA cancel tournament

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. However, a PGA tournament that takes place close to home is now canceled for good - and not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 19-year-old Jessica Flack is a waitress at Bella Italy in White Sulphur Springs. “Our summers are usually packed here because of all the visitors at the PGA tour and stuff,” Flack said. Emerald Campbell lives in White Sulphur Springs and says restaurants, shops and hotels will all suffer.

Greenbrier confident it will attract a strong field for annual PGA tour stop

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – The ninth edition of the PGA tour stop at White Sulphur Springs, A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier, has been moved to mid-September this year. After some initial concern about moving the event into the football season, the tournament remains confident the field will be a good one. I have my family vacation on the Fourth of July,' or whatever," said Greenbrier pokesperson Cam Huffman. "It may be those players have now reached back out and said, 'Wow, this is a perfect opportunity for us to come Saturday and Sunday.' Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova will be joining the field.

Sharapova joins field at The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Five-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova will replace Serena Williams at The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic September 13 and 14 at The Greenbrier, after unforeseen scheduling conflicts forced Williams to withdraw. “We are thrilled to welcome Sharapova to The Greenbrier for the first time,” said Dr. Jill Justice, President, The Greenbrier. Matches for the eighth edition of The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic begin at 5:30 p.m. on both nights, with the second match each night following shortly after the conclusion of the first. “Fans will be entertained the entire day.”For more information or to purchase tickets to The Greenbrier Champions Tennis Classic, visit Greenbrier.com/TennisClassic.

Jack Montague wins Virginia state open

ROANOKE, Va. – University of Virginia sophomore Jack Montague, of Manakin-Sabot, Va. captured the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia on Saturday at Roanoke’s Ballyhack Golf Club in dramatic fashion. Montague defeated Virginia Tech rising senior Mark Lawrence on the first hole of a playoff to become the first amateur to win the title since 2011. Early on, Montague and Simmons set the tone for the day by going on a birdie binge. “Isaac and I are really close friends, and we play with each other a lot outside of (competitive events),” Montague said. “It’s a big confidence booster, for sure,” Montague said.

Local golf tournament aims to help area youth

ROANOKE, Va. – With more than 700 homeless students in Roanoke City Public Schools, two local businesses are coming together on the golf course to "play with a purpose." Flycodes, owned by Champ Hubbard, and Rebounding Roanoke, owned by Jerel Rhodes, are hosting the first Father's Day Captain's Choice golf tournament Saturday at Old Monterey in Roanoke. All of the proceeds will go toward Roanoke City Schools' homeless campaign and TAP's youth build program. With that being said, we figured if we get a golf tournament, at least we can bring something in where it can be a benefit for other missions going on in the Roanoke Valley," Rhodes said. The event will be a shotgun start at 8 a.m.For more on Rebounding Roanoke, click here.

Tyree earns Greenbrier golf tournament honor

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV. – The Greenbrier PGA tournament- formerly the Greenbrier Classic, now 'A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier' - doesn't happen without volunteers - hundreds of them. Daleville's Butch Tyree, who many will recognize in the sportsworld as the former Northside HS athletic director, is this year's honoree. Tyree is recently retired after 30 years as a math teacher, athletic director and coach at Northside high. He's volunteered at the tournament for seven years.

Watson, Simpson headline Military Tribute at the Greenbrier field

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Va. – We are just two weekends before the Open Championship at Carnoustie in Scotland, which makes Greenbrier scheduling difficult for the tour pros. But the 2018 field sports eight top-50 players, including two of the hottest golfers on tour. The former U.S. Open champ is the 2018 Players champion, and is ranked 21 in the world, while Greenbrier Sporting Club member Bubba Watson is the first golfer with three wins on the PGA tour this year. There's so many storylines it would be cool for me to do it," two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson said. The pro-am action is set for Wednesday, with the tournament beginning Thursday on the Old White TPC course.

Scott Robertson opening round suspended

ROANOKE, Va. – The 35th annual Scott Robertson Memorial Golf Tournament was slated to tee off Friday morning at Roanoke Country Club, but Mother Nature said, "Not today." The tournament suspended play Friday due to the course being totally saturated and unplayable. Just three groups were able to tee off before organizers made the decision to suspend play. In the 35-year history of the tournament, there have been shortened rounds and stoppages of play before, but never a delayed start. Play will resume Saturday morning with a delay of 1 1/2 hours, in hopes of giving the course time to dry.

Competition and fun for athletes at Pro-Am

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV – Athletes and celebrities took to the greens Wednesday for the annual pro-am. And if I beat him or when I beat him today, he's going have to walk the course next year, so there's a lot on the line here," said Fitzgerald. I don't even know what the hell this guy's doing, but but I'm competing against him, I think," McAfee said. It would mean a lot to me if I were able to get it done," said five-time major champion Phil Mickelson. Today was all fun and games but tomorrow is all business, as the first round gets underway bright and early.