The (VGA) Veterans Golf Association (Lacassem's Journey & Others)

[Lacassem]

Hey all!

I have been contemplating doing this for years. The VGA for those that have not heard of it is the Veterans Golf Association. They run a ton of tournaments nation wide and have different regions. There are regional leaders and some pretty big competitive championship tournaments all around the world. In 2021 they hosted one in Scotland.

I finally signed up today. There are several tournaments I hope to play in. Even if I play in one I will be super pumped. I am ecstatic to get into some truly competitive golf.

This thread will host my thoughts leading up to tournaments, what I was thinking during the round and how the round went. Maybe get some pointers from the folks on here. Also to provide a space for other VGA members to get involved in one spot.

I am not sure what to expect or how everything works so maybe I can provide some insight as I go along for others that maybe sign up and get into some tournaments!

https://www.vgagolf.org/app/

https://www.vgagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VGA_2022_Tour_Players_Manaual_20211102v3.pdf

I think my first tournament will be either April 28th or April 30th (28th is in Connecticut and 30th is in Massachusetts)

[GolfSpy BOS]

This is really cool, nice to see this set up for Veterans!  Any idea how many members they have across the US?  I'm curious to see if any of our forum members are also take part in the VGA.

[Nolan220]

@Lacassem this is great good luck man cant wait to follow along 

[Lacassem]

11 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BOS said:

This is really cool, nice to see this set up for Veterans!  Any idea how many members they have across the US?  I'm curious to see if any of our forum members are also take part in the VGA.

SO looks like what I am seeing is 3,031 members (actively for this year so far) signed up across the United States.

[JohnSmalls]

This is awesome! Can't wait to see the stories that come throughout this year.

[Placasse61]

7 hours ago, Lacassem said:

Hey all!

I have been contemplating doing this for years. The VGA for those that have not heard of it is the Veterans Golf Association. They run a ton of tournaments nation wide and have different regions. There are regional leaders and some pretty big competitive championship tournaments all around the world. In 2021 they hosted one in Scotland.

I finally signed up today. There are several tournaments I hope to play in. Even if I play in one I will be super pumped. I am ecstatic to get into some truly competitive golf.

This thread will host my thoughts leading up to tournaments, what I was thinking during the round and how the round went. Maybe get some pointers from the folks on here. Also to provide a space for other VGA members to get involved in one spot.

I am not sure what to expect or how everything works so maybe I can provide some insight as I go along for others that maybe sign up and get into some tournaments!

https://www.vgagolf.org/app/

https://www.vgagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VGA_2022_Tour_Players_Manaual_20211102v3.pdf

I think my first tournament will be either April 28th or April 30th (28th is in Connecticut and 30th is in Massachusetts)

AWESOME!!!!!! 

[Kenny B]

10 hours ago, Lacassem said:

Hey all!

I have been contemplating doing this for years. The VGA for those that have not heard of it is the Veterans Golf Association. They run a ton of tournaments nation wide and have different regions. There are regional leaders and some pretty big competitive championship tournaments all around the world. In 2021 they hosted one in Scotland.

I finally signed up today. There are several tournaments I hope to play in. Even if I play in one I will be super pumped. I am ecstatic to get into some truly competitive golf.

This thread will host my thoughts leading up to tournaments, what I was thinking during the round and how the round went. Maybe get some pointers from the folks on here. Also to provide a space for other VGA members to get involved in one spot.

I am not sure what to expect or how everything works so maybe I can provide some insight as I go along for others that maybe sign up and get into some tournaments!

https://www.vgagolf.org/app/

https://www.vgagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VGA_2022_Tour_Players_Manaual_20211102v3.pdf

I think my first tournament will be either April 28th or April 30th (28th is in Connecticut and 30th is in Massachusetts)

Play well... the MGS Forum reputation is on the line!  

[Lacassem]

Registered for April 30th tournament. It is a Sunday and at a course I have not played, Crossing Golf Club. It is in Plymouth, MA. close to Cape Cod. Alot of great courses in this area of the state and was wondering if @russtopherbif you have played here at all being in that general area?

Anyway if anyone is curious here is the courses site: https://www.golfcrosswinds.com/

Plan on getting down there in April at some point to give it a test drive

[russtopherb]

55 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Registered for April 30th tournament. It is a Sunday and at a course I have not played, Crossing Golf Club. It is in Plymouth, MA. close to Cape Cod. Alot of great courses in this area of the state and was wondering if @russtopherbif you have played here at all being in that general area?

Anyway if anyone is curious here is the courses site: https://www.golfcrosswinds.com/

Plan on getting down there in April at some point to give it a test drive

No, the only Plymouth courses I've played are Pine Hills (Nicklaus Course) and Waverly Oaks. Sorry!

[Lacassem]

19 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

No, the only Plymouth courses I've played are Pine Hills (Nicklaus Course) and Waverly Oaks. Sorry!

All good was worth a shot! The reviews are fantastic so looking forward to it!

[Subdiver1]

Lacassem,

Hey brother best of luck to you in the round.  I have been playing with VGA for a couple of years in a couple of different chapter areas.  Initially I joined up for the competition, in my opinion, the big benefit ended up being the camaraderie, the secondary being the challenge of the competition; but we all have our own perspective.  Most of wha t I have seen is a group of Veterans who want to play competitively, but also know how to have a good time.  The Jacksonville and Central FL chapters are well run and have some great events.  I'm still waiting on our WA (Pacific Northwest) chapter to put out a schedule for the year.  I'm usually out your way (Fall River/Tiverton) for a couple of weeks in the summer and keep my eye open for VGA events to try and plan my travel to coincide; so far it hasn't worked out.  Anyway, I don't know the group there but I can tell you that my experience has been good overall.

As far as courses go I have not played any that are on the MA or CT schedule. But, we enjoy mixing it up at quite a few in the area including Acushnet River, CT National, Mauntaup, Green Valley, Swansea CC and Allendale.  If I recall correctly everyone of these offers a military or Veteran's rate.  We used to get out on Newport National when I was in town, but their rates went through the roof a few years back and I think they got rid of their military/vet rate so we stick to the others on this list. 

Best of luck and most of all, have a great time.  I'll look forward to reading your experience with VGA.

Cheers

[Lacassem]

On 2/11/2023 at 12:37 PM, Subdiver1 said:

Lacassem,

Hey brother best of luck to you in the round.  I have been playing with VGA for a couple of years in a couple of different chapter areas.  Initially I joined up for the competition, in my opinion, the big benefit ended up being the camaraderie, the secondary being the challenge of the competition; but we all have our own perspective.  Most of wha t I have seen is a group of Veterans who want to play competitively, but also know how to have a good time.  The Jacksonville and Central FL chapters are well run and have some great events.  I'm still waiting on our WA (Pacific Northwest) chapter to put out a schedule for the year.  I'm usually out your way (Fall River/Tiverton) for a couple of weeks in the summer and keep my eye open for VGA events to try and plan my travel to coincide; so far it hasn't worked out.  Anyway, I don't know the group there but I can tell you that my experience has been good overall.

As far as courses go I have not played any that are on the MA or CT schedule. But, we enjoy mixing it up at quite a few in the area including Acushnet River, CT National, Mauntaup, Green Valley, Swansea CC and Allendale.  If I recall correctly everyone of these offers a military or Veteran's rate.  We used to get out on Newport National when I was in town, but their rates went through the roof a few years back and I think they got rid of their military/vet rate so we stick to the others on this list. 

Best of luck and most of all, have a great time.  I'll look forward to reading your experience with VGA.

Cheers

Yes very much looking forward to playing in a competitive atmosphere with what is always a good group of people in the military community. I dont think I will get enough rounds in to realistically get outside of the local tournaments but ya never know.

Officially official though:

[fixyurdivot]

On 2/8/2023 at 9:51 AM, Lacassem said:

Hey all!

I have been contemplating doing this for years. The VGA for those that have not heard of it is the Veterans Golf Association. They run a ton of tournaments nation wide and have different regions. There are regional leaders and some pretty big competitive championship tournaments all around the world. In 2021 they hosted one in Scotland.

I finally signed up today. There are several tournaments I hope to play in. Even if I play in one I will be super pumped. I am ecstatic to get into some truly competitive golf.

This thread will host my thoughts leading up to tournaments, what I was thinking during the round and how the round went. Maybe get some pointers from the folks on here. Also to provide a space for other VGA members to get involved in one spot.

I am not sure what to expect or how everything works so maybe I can provide some insight as I go along for others that maybe sign up and get into some tournaments!

https://www.vgagolf.org/app/

https://www.vgagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VGA_2022_Tour_Players_Manaual_20211102v3.pdf

I think my first tournament will be either April 28th or April 30th (28th is in Connecticut and 30th is in Massachusetts)

Awesome!  Thanks for sharing the information Mark; I've never heard about this .  I just checked the AZ events and see they have one at Las Barrancas in Yuma.  I played there many, many times when we wintered there, and now recall some BIG event involving veterans every year... probably was the VGA.  There is an event in Buckeye in June that's pretty close to us; maybe I'll give it a try.

Good luck in the events you play!

[Lacassem]

7 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Awesome!  Thanks for sharing the information Mark; I've never heard about this .  I just checked the AZ events and see they have one at Las Barrancas in Yuma.  I played there many, many times when we wintered there, and now recall some BIG event involving veterans every year... probably was the VGA.  There is an event in Buckeye in June that's pretty close to us; maybe I'll give it a try.

Good luck in the events you play!

I mean so far it looks awsome and have onky heard great things.

not sure what they’ll have in Montana for you but if your traveling you can play in any state which is really cool I think. It’s 75 or something to get a membership and then just tournament fee. The one I’m doing is 100 so not bad

[cksurfdude]

There was at least one other forum member @KCLeo12 who played in the VGA .. on the West Coast, I believe .. though I haven't seen him post on here in a while.....

[KCLeo12]

3 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

There was at least one other forum member @KCLeo12 who played in the VGA .. on the West Coast, I believe .. though I haven't seen him post on here in a while.....

Thanks for the tag. I did play for a few years with the VGA. I no longer do after 2019. In 2018 I played in the National Championship and in 2019 I became more involved. I noticed some things that didn’t add up and stopped playing. Some others found the same thing and there is a lot to the story. If you would like more info DM me and I can fill you in. I don’t want to put that info out publicly. 

[Lacassem]

Random tournament popped up for the area for this Sunday.

Weather in the 50s and long term forecasts are super mild so courses are opening.

this one is in cape cod which is mild typically and courses open early anyway so this is not abnormal for here but typically do not get down there.

12 player field and got the 11th spot looking forward to it!

here is the course if anyone is interested, will be downloading tonight and reviewing on arccos!

https://www.golfbrookside.com

 

 

 

[JohnSmalls]

1 hour ago, Lacassem said:

Random tournament popped up for the area for this Sunday.

Weather in the 50s and long term forecasts are super mild so courses are opening.

this one is in cape cod which is mild typically and courses open early anyway so this is not abnormal for here but typically do not get down there.

12 player field and got the 11th spot looking forward to it!

here is the course if anyone is interested, will be downloading tonight and reviewing on arccos!

https://www.golfbrookside.com

 

 

 

Get in there Mark!  Enjoy the competition, and go low!

[cksurfdude]

21 hours ago, KCLeo12 said:

..noticed some things that didn’t add up

Well that sucks. Sorry to hear.....

[GolfSpy BOS]

4 hours ago, Lacassem said:

Random tournament popped up for the area for this Sunday.

Weather in the 50s and long term forecasts are super mild so courses are opening.

this one is in cape cod which is mild typically and courses open early anyway so this is not abnormal for here but typically do not get down there.

12 player field and got the 11th spot looking forward to it!

here is the course if anyone is interested, will be downloading tonight and reviewing on arccos!

https://www.golfbrookside.com

 

 

 

Good luck man!  That's pretty awesome that they have something this time of year.  Course looks nice too!