News
Last Update :2/5/2018 On Par: UVa's new home at Birdwood is making progress
Construction on new home for UVa golf making progress
- $6.5 million center for UVa golf men’s and women’s teams
- Due for completion by mid-September
- Will feature eight heated hitting bays at practice range
A view of construction at Birdwood.
Contributed photo
A long time coming, the coaches and their players now work in the shadows of the daily construction of the facility that sits on the grounds of the old Birdwood Plantation. Due for completion by mid-September, the $6.5 million center for UVa golf, both men’s and women’s teams, will give the program a competitive edge in learning, developing, performance and recruiting.
Course news
While February is traditionally one of the slowest times of year at golf courses in Virginia, there are tidbits of news to report from our courses in Central Virginia:
Director of golf Martin Winters reports that Birdwood is gearing up for a busy junior program, beginning March 24 with its Junior Golf Kickoff Day from 1-3 p.m.
Winters said that sometime this spring, golfers will see the construction of a connector road between the golf course and Boar’s Head Resort. The road will cut across the property near the pond on the existing par-3 No. 4 hole.
The weather might not be conducive for golf right now, but there are other options for sports fans at Birdwood. The Birdwood Grille, located in the clubhouse, hosts both the “Tony Bennett Show,” and the “Joanne Boyle Show,” on Monday nights.
Director of Golf Rob McNamara has added two new assistants to his staff.
J.J. Amoruso, formerly of Chevy Chase Country Club, has joined Farmington as associate head pro, replacing Aaron Marks, who left last fall to become head golf professional at Boonesboro Country Club in Lynchburg.
McNamara also welcomed assistant pro Courtney Cooper, who came to Farmington from Liberty University. This is her first job.
Head professional Mike Moyers announced dates for this year’s Greene Hills Invitational, the first local major of the year. This year’s event will be held April 14-15. Contact Greene Hills for entry information.
Despite the inn closing, Keswick's golf operations are open. Full Cry will host the VSGA Four-Ball Championship in 2018.
G.L. Kirby announced a list of tournaments at Meadowcreek for the coming golf season. Click through for the full schedule.
Meadowcreek also reported a hole-in-one from Dec. 20 by Michael Napier on the ninth hole. He aced it from 138 yards out with a pitching wedge. The shot was witnessed by Stewart Gibson.
Golf professional Claudia Ferrini reported that Kandi Comer has been named a Top 50 Junior Instructor Worldwide.
Ferrini said, “Kandi has committed herself to helping juniors develop a love for the game of golf that lasts well beyond their junior days. This award is a testimony of her passion toward developing junior golf.”
Make sure to read her five tips on how golfers can improve their game during the brutal winter weather, elsewhere in this newsletter.
Director of Golf Geoff Redgrave is attending the D.C. Golf Show this weekend to promote the resort and its two golf courses.
Redgrave says that improvements to the courses are ongoing, mentioning that the resort is in the process of leveling tees at Devils Knob and finishing Stoney Creek's Shomokin nine's bunkers.
A message from our sponsor, Wintergreen
Skiing isn't the only Wintergreen activity this season 
Check out Wintergreen Resort's Ski and Tee Special - guests can present a same-day lift ticket for a free afternoon of golf.
How to improve your golf game during the cold of February
We talked with veteran golf instructor Kandi Comer about how golfers can improve their game during the cold of February, when most are forced inside. Comer, who operates the Kandi Comer Golf Academy located at Old Trail Golf Course in Crozet, offered five tips on how to keep your game sharp through the winter.
Here are Kandi’s tips:
Check your grips and club faces, ditch any old balls and do a club fitting.
- 2. Get your mental game in check
Read books on how to practice by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott, as well as some of Bob Rotella’s books.
- 3. Practice putting indoors
Putt to a quarter, so when you play, the regulation hole will appear large.
Any cardiovascular workout you enjoy, yoga or pilates is a great way to stay in shape.
Didn't keep up with your game in the offseason? Consider a few lessons to get reacquainted with your swing.
For more information please visit kandicomergolf.com or stop by and visit us at Kandi Comer Golf located just outside Charlottesville at Old Trail Golf Club in Crozet
A message from our sponsor, Birdwood
Birdwood has hot deals for the cold months 
The Birdwood Winter Golf Special starts on December 4, 2017 and ends on March 1, 2018. The weather may be cooling, but you can take advantage of these hot rates.
Birdwood renovation shouldn't impact golf season
Martin Winters, Birdwood's Director of Golf, said this week that he feels confident that “we’ll have 18 holes open all spring and summer.”
- Timeline for complete renovation is to be determined
Pat Hogan, UVa’s COO, said that the timeline of Davis Love III’s Birdwood redo will be determined by funding of the project and permitting from Albemarle County.
- Course will try to limit how long original course is closed
Whenever the first shovel digs into Birdwood’s turf, it will likely be on the property’s “Back 80,” where work would begin on clearing the land for several new holes.
A message from our sponsor, Old Trail
Kandi Comer At Old Trail Named A Top 50 Junior Instructor Worldwide
Start your future golfer in fun, non-competitive programs taught with a creative and enthusiastic approach by former professional golfer and US Kids Top 50 Instructor Kandi Comer and they will fall in love with a sport they can play for life. Enroll in Spring Clinics now.
Wahoos on tour: Keeping up with the Cavaliers on the pro circuit
Virginia golf fans will have two new Cavaliers to root for this year on the PGA and LPGA Tours.
- Denny McCarthy’s scoring average after three events is 72.339
He has competed in the PGA's OHL CLassic, Career Builder Challenge and Farmers Insurance Open.
- Lauren Coughlin and Brittany Altomare competed at the Pure Silk Bahamas event
Neither was able to make the cut, but Cavalier fans can look forward to seeing two UVa golfers on the LPGA tour for the first time ever.
- Steve Marino is currently ranked No. 17 on the Web.com tour
He's battled injuries the last few years, and is attempting to work his way back to the PGA Tour.
A message from our sponsor, Keswick
Major move for Keswick in Golfweek's 'Best Resort Courses' Rankings
Keswick Hall & Golf Club — the acclaimed 600-acre luxury resort set in Virginia’s scenic Hunt Country — announces its Pete Dye-designed Full Cry at Keswick Golf Club has risen to No. 38 in Golfweek's just-released "Best Resort Courses" list for 2018.
[ More News ]
|
