IAGA Quick Hits | 10.02.26
South Carolina Golf Association Has a New Home
From the South Carolina Golf Association
The new 6,500-square-foot facility at 7701 St. Andrews Road in Irmo is located about half a mile from the association’s previous headquarters on Irmo Drive in Columbia. The move was celebrated September 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries, golf association leaders, staff and supporters.
The SCGA’s history stretches back to 1929. Since then, the game in South Carolina has grown significantly, including the addition of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association in 1990 and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation in 1995. Today, the organization has a staff of 16.
For SCGA Executive Director Biff Lathrop, the new headquarters represents more than a larger building. It provides the staff with a modern environment designed to better support the work they do.
“I am excited about what this new facility says about the success of the SCGA, but I am even more excited about what it means for our staff,” Lathrop said. “Now they can do what they do in an environment that helps them be productive.”
The new building is about one-third larger than the previous space. The property also includes a two-story gated storage facility, providing more usable office space than the association had in its former headquarters.
In recent years, the old approximately 4,000-square-foot space had become increasingly cramped as the staff grew.
“We found ourselves squeezing everything out of every square inch,” Lathrop said. “Honestly, we had one room with four staff members — practically elbow to elbow — that was so unappealing it became known, not very fondly, as The Pit. We were literally bursting at the seams.”
Collaborating for the Kids
From the Chicago District Golf Association
The second season of ‘Play Like a Champion’ Events provides proof that growing the game is a team effort.
Golf can be a challenging game for anyone, including 9-year-old Eden Watkins. The South Side golfer has found a way to turn that frustration into enjoyment.
“You might hit a shot that makes you go ‘Errrrrr’,” she said with a smile. “It might mess up your swing, but for me, [golf] is very relaxing.”
That fresh outlook on the game was on full display on Aug. 4 at Columbus Park Golf Course on the city’s west side. Watkins was one of a multitude of youngsters from across the city of Chicago and beyond to participate in the final ‘Play Like a Champion’ event of the 2026 season. Debuted in 2025 and put on through a collaboration between the CDGA, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department, Troon Golf, First Tee – Greater Chicago, Kids Golf Foundation, United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) and others, these events are designed to engage at-risk youth and foster positive relationships with Chicago Police Officers. The 2026 schedule featured two days at Columbus Park Golf Course (June and August) and a July gathering at Marquette Park Golf Course.
Watkins’ mother, Khallilah, is grateful for the events and the alliance of some of Chicago’s golf entities, as they help to provide further opportunities for Eden to not only practice the game, but also to meet other golfers.
“It is so important for exposure,” she said. “It’s so important for kids to meet other kids who may not be from their socioeconomic background. Golf continues to give all three of our girls exposure that I could not imagine from any other sport.”
The three-hour events consist of various golf stations, including chipping and putting, SNAG (Starting New at Golf) equipment, games and inflatable bounce houses. CPD officers are on-site to foster relationships and help the youngsters across each station. Chief Angel Novalez remarked on the importance of these instances in generating goodwill within the community.
Nevada Golf Launches Inaugural North South Junior Cup
From Nevada Golf
When the Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada golf associations came together to create the unified Nevada Golf in 2026, a mission was to create an elite North vs. South Junior Golf team competition. Enter the inaugural Nevada North South Junior Cup, the start of a new golf tradition.
Nevada Golf is the Allied Golf Partner of the United States Golf Association.
“We’ve had team events for adults, including women, for the past several years, and to finally bring that to juniors is really cool,: said Kenn Ebalo, president, Nevada Golf. “It’s something that needed to happen. It’s been history in the making this week, so it’s exciting to have this event become a reality. We’re playing it, and it’ll be on the schedule for years to come. The juniors are our future, and golf is such a great avenue for the rest of their lives.”
The North team won 12.5-11.5, but it was as much about camaraderie as it was competition.
“The first thing that comes to mind is team,” said Luke Swanson, member, North team. “This is a really good opportunity for those of us who go to different high schools to join forces as a team and compete against other kids. I played pretty well this weekend. The first day, I played solid, made some birdie putts and was able to rely on my teammates for help. This was really cool. It was my first time playing match play, so getting that experience and going 3–0 helps build momentum for future match play tournaments.”
Changes coming to State Open in 2027
From the Virginia State Golf Association
Significant changes are coming to the State Open of Virginia in 2027, including a new final-round venue, new dates, and a streamlined qualifying process that will include both amateurs and professionals.
The 2027 State Open of Virginia, which is conducted jointly by the Middle Atlantic PGA and Virginia State Golf Association, will be contested July 20-22 (Tuesday-Thursday), marking a departure from the State Open’s normal weekend finish. The field is set to expand from 144 players to 156.
There will also be a change in the structure of the event as two courses—Independence Golf Club in Midlothian and The Foundry Golf Club in Powhatan—will serve as co-hosts for the first two rounds of the championship. All competitors will play one round at each course, with 78 players at each course each day. The third and final round will be played at The Foundry, with the field cut to the low 60 players and ties after completion of the second round.
“These changes for the 2027 State Open of Virginia are the culmination of years of work of the committee,” said Craig Groenendaal, VSGA President and State Open committee member. “I’d like to thank the committee as a whole and specifically our MAPGA partners for attacking the challenge of looking at the event and making decisions with the singular focus of improving what is already a competition for the highest honor in men’s golf in Virginia.
“The field expansion will ensure more opportunities for the best players—amateur and professional—to compete in the championship. Also, a special thank you is deserved for our 2027 hosts The Foundry and Heritage Golf Group, who have signed on to help write this new chapter in Virginia golf history. The VSGA and our championship committee couldn’t be more excited for the future of the State Open of Virginia for 2027 and beyond.”