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

[Shank Aaron]

The countdown to Bethpage Black has begun!!!!!! Is anyone in this thread going? Would love to meet some board brothers. 

[cksurfdude]

On 5/4/2023 at 9:50 AM, Shank Aaron said:

The countdown to Bethpage Black has begun!!!!!! Is anyone in this thread going? Would love to meet some board brothers. 

Hey when is that tourney? I live not too far away -- do you happen to know if they need volunteers at the event..?

[Subdiver1]

Played Saturday up here in WA.  Weather turned out to be decent and had a good time.  My tee game was off most of the day.  Had one penalty drop off the tee but I got REALLY lucky on a couple of other bad tee shots.   Bottom line, good company and not a bad round.

[Shank Aaron]

On 5/7/2023 at 9:38 AM, cksurfdude said:

Hey when is that tourney? I live not too far away -- do you happen to know if they need volunteers at the event..?

I dont think there's anything in the ways of volunteers for events, but I'm sure that all help and support is welcomed. I would say show up and find the directors of the match and introduce yourself. We have quite a few events regularly on the Island. 

[cksurfdude]

20 hours ago, Shank Aaron said:

I would say show up and find the directors of the match and introduce yourself. We have quite a few events regularly on the Island.

thx

[Shank Aaron]

What a day, what an experience. This was why I joined the VGA. This, right here. I got to play a US Open/PGA/Ryder Cup course with three of my closest friends. The experience was so good that not a single one of us cared about the scorecard. I can't imagine topping this. 

 

Golf side of the day, I couldn't really find the driver, but my putting and short game bailed me out all day. I ended the day tied for first in C Flight and lost the hardware by the scorecard aggregate. 87 here is a score I am absolutely not ashamed of. Tough, but fair. Rewarding, but quick to take you down a peg, or 5. 

 

You guys should seriously consider joining us in June. We're playing the best back-to-back in the North Region. Links at Ferry Point, and Bethpage Red.

 

[Javs]

1 hour ago, Shank Aaron said:

What a day, what an experience. This was why I joined the VGA. This, right here. I got to play a US Open/PGA/Ryder Cup course with three of my closest friends. The experience was so good that not a single one of us cared about the scorecard. I can't imagine topping this. 

 

Golf side of the day, I couldn't really find the driver, but my putting and short game bailed me out all day. I ended the day tied for first in C Flight and lost the hardware by the scorecard aggregate. 87 here is a score I am absolutely not ashamed of. Tough, but fair. Rewarding, but quick to take you down a peg, or 5. 

 

You guys should seriously consider joining us in June. We're playing the best back-to-back in the North Region. Links at Ferry Point, and Bethpage Red.

 

Great day!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

8 hours ago, Shank Aaron said:

What a day, what an experience. This was why I joined the VGA. This, right here. I got to play a US Open/PGA/Ryder Cup course with three of my closest friends. The experience was so good that not a single one of us cared about the scorecard. I can't imagine topping this. 

 

Golf side of the day, I couldn't really find the driver, but my putting and short game bailed me out all day. I ended the day tied for first in C Flight and lost the hardware by the scorecard aggregate. 87 here is a score I am absolutely not ashamed of. Tough, but fair. Rewarding, but quick to take you down a peg, or 5. 

 

You guys should seriously consider joining us in June. We're playing the best back-to-back in the North Region. Links at Ferry Point, and Bethpage Red.

 

That is amazing!

[VGA MA State Director]

Awesome! This is what it's all about!

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[cksurfdude]

11 hours ago, Shank Aaron said:

What a day, what an experience.

Nice!!! I had the chance to walk around that course once a few years ago as a spectator (got passes thru work to a Tour event) and your pics do not do justice to the scale of that course! The elevation changes, the trees, the bunkering (sometimes massive), the forced carries off the tee .. into narrowing fairways with lots of tall fescue alongside, ....

Glad you got on it and heck yeah 87 is a super respectable number on the Black

Unfortunately I had those old "prior commitments" yesterday but I did see on the schedule the one for June 15 at the Red course.

[Preeway]

A good friend of mine is the coordinator for the VGA in this region and I’ve been lucky enough to sneak into a couple events when someone cancels last minute. Looking to join as a family member and get more involved in the local chapter. 

[Subdiver1]

16 hours ago, Preeway said:

A good friend of mine is the coordinator for the VGA in this region and I’ve been lucky enough to sneak into a couple events when someone cancels last minute. Looking to join as a family member and get more involved in the local chapter. 

Do it. Thanks for being a supportive family member for a Vet. Always great to meet family of fellow Vets.

[Subdiver1]

On 5/10/2023 at 8:10 PM, Shank Aaron said:

This was why I joined the VGA. This, right here. I got to play a US Open/PGA/Ryder Cup course with three of my closest friends.

Frickin' awesome. Gorgeous scenery. Congrats on the Flight tie. Twins are great, but knowing your right there is good feeling.

[Shank Aaron]

So, how's everyone been doing in events lately? State Championships are going off soon. Anyone planning to compete in any?

I know NY State has opened theirs up to all comers regardless of status (IE- you haven't yet played in 3 events and established a VGA handicap) and has spots open for this Saturday (6/24) at Centennial GC- https://centennialgolf.com/. If you don't have the required three events you can still play, but your finish wont give you the auto entry to Regionals at Baltimore CC. 

PA has theirs July 24 at Hanover CC- https://www.hanovercc.com/.

New Jersey has one going off July 25 at Black Oak CC- https://www.blackoakgolfclub.com/. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Have not been able to get into any other events, couple on weekends I could not get out. Most likely will not be able to get into any until September.

[Rosey31]

I joined earlier this year along after 2 buddies, both veterans, joined. I joined as a family member and just need one more event to get my VGA handicap.  These events have been enjoyable and we are trying to grow the number of events on the gulf coast here in Florida. Most of the events are on the east coast. We are all excited to play Copperhead (home of the Valspar) in August. 

[VGA MA State Director]

@Rosey31 pumped that you joined the VGA!  I'm the VGA State Director for Massachusetts.  Membership continues to grow nationally which is awesome.  The growth also enables us to add additional Assistant State Directors.  This is critical especially in geographically larger states like Florida.  Ideally we establish Assistant State Directors with geographic coverage across the state to ensure that events are available for all members that are relatively easy to  access!  

[VGA MA State Director]

The VGA MA,RI,CT, ME, VT and NH held their regional championship yesterday at Pawtucket Country Club.  A couple of flight winners had to be decided via a 1 hole playoff.  From all accounts, competitors had a great time at an awesome tournament venue.  If you're interested in joining the Veteran Golfers Association, please don't hesistate to reach out to me or the state director in your area.  We've got a good wrap around season scheduled here in MA too!

[tricket3d]

I just found out about these this summer and am hooked. I play in my third tournament on Sunday. Hoping I get out of my head and actually shoot a score. Shot a 99 last time out and am usually in the 80s. Just get a little in my head but it is an amazing time with fellow vets. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

9 hours ago, tricket3d said:

I just found out about these this summer and am hooked. I play in my third tournament on Sunday. Hoping I get out of my head and actually shoot a score. Shot a 99 last time out and am usually in the 80s. Just get a little in my head but it is an amazing time with fellow vets. 

Good luck llay we’ll and have fun!

[Subdiver1]

11 hours ago, tricket3d said:

I just found out about these this summer and am hooked. I play in my third tournament on Sunday. Hoping I get out of my head and actually shoot a score. Shot a 99 last time out and am usually in the 80s. Just get a little in my head but it is an amazing time with fellow vets. 

Glad to hear you're having a good time. Best of luck this weekend, and second to @Lacassem's advice, "have fun;" It is a key. Took me a couple of rounds (okay seasons) to get into a groove, but next weekend I'm headed to Regionals (where I am sure I'll fall flat on my face, but will have fun doing it), so all it takes is a bit of remembering to that, "have fun" and it will all come together. Welcome to the VGA and the forum.

[Shank Aaron]

On 8/11/2023 at 10:45 PM, tricket3d said:

I just found out about these this summer and am hooked. I play in my third tournament on Sunday. Hoping I get out of my head and actually shoot a score. Shot a 99 last time out and am usually in the 80s. Just get a little in my head but it is an amazing time with fellow vets. 

Yep, this is the most common thing that happens at any organized competitive golf event. Most often it boils down to that little bit of self pressure we put on ourselves that throws us in the well. Just like you said, getting out of your own head is the best medicine for that. @Lacassem nailed it. Just have fun with it. One round you'll show up and play to your normal game and you probably wont even notice it. Welcome!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

4 minutes ago, Shank Aaron said:

Yep, this is the most common thing that happens at any organized competitive golf event. Most often it boils down to that little bit of self pressure we put on ourselves that throws us in the well. Just like you said, getting out of your own head is the best medicine for that. @Lacassem nailed it. Just have fun with it. One round you'll show up and play to your normal game and you probably wont even notice it. Welcome!

Going into it I was curious about the atmosphere, how competitive would it be, skillset etc. That all went away quickly. Just a good time with good folks. Have not been able to get out much since my 1st round the tournaments just did not line up with my schedule unfortunately. Cannot wait to try to get some more in next year

[Shank Aaron]

1 hour ago, Lacassem said:

Going into it I was curious about the atmosphere, how competitive would it be, skillset etc. That all went away quickly. Just a good time with good folks. Have not been able to get out much since my 1st round the tournaments just did not line up with my schedule unfortunately. Cannot wait to try to get some more in next year

Same thing for me in my first season on the Tour. 3 seasons later and I still don't play in half the events I'd "like" to, but I do make the effort for the big events local enough to me. 

 

Dont forget, the 2024 season begins Sept 1 (I think?), it might be Aug 31. I get them confused, but I'm sure @VGA MA State Director has the answer to the exact date, and probably more info. 

[VGA MA State Director]

Correct, the VGA season runs from September 1st thru August 31st each year.

[Shank Aaron]

15 minutes ago, VGA MA State Director said:

Correct, the VGA season runs from September 1st thru August 31st each year.

See @Lacassem? Told you he's got this completely locked down. It's almost as if we have our own VGA Tour information library on call. All you have to do is tag him and BOOM. All the mysteries of the world are revealed. 

 

I need to shut up before someone confuses me for one of those Space Force guys. 

[StrokerAce]

woohoo! I qualify for the senior division.

This sounds fun. I'm thinking about signing up in September.

 

[VGA MA State Director]

Do it @StrokerAce!!!

[StrokerAce]

1 minute ago, VGA MA State Director said:

Do it @StrokerAce!!!

I've never played Crumpin Fox and it would be great in the fall!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

4 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

I've never played Crumpin Fox and it would be great in the fall!

That one has me intrigued I think it’s one I can make need to double check!