The Mountain State of Golf Volume 3, Issue 4, Fall 2023
Year of change culminates with new Executive Director being named
The year 2023 has been a year of change for the WVGA. Change was precipitated by former Executive Director Brad Ulman’s resignation to move on to a leadership role within the LIV Tour, capitalizing on his organizational skills, attention to detail, knowledge of the Rules of Golf and tournament administration, much of which was developed in his several years with the WVGA. While all at the WVGA are proud of Brad’s achievements on the world stage, his sudden departure left a void that had to be quickly filled. Brad’s resignation was effective the first of the year. The natural timing for state golf association executives to explore new opportunities is inherently at a different time of the year, generally October and November, not in the first quarter of a year. Applications were received, carefully screened and reviewed by the WVGA officers. As onset of the competition season was to begin, starting with the West Virginia vs. Virginia Team Matches at Charlottesville, Virginia the first of April, decisions had to be made. At its core, the WVGA has been the platform for competitive golf in our state and to that end, with 12 years of experience with the WVGA and as the former Director of Competitions and Rules,
it became clear that the recommendation to the full Executive Committee would be fulfill the historic core mission of the organization and turn to Chris Slack to fill the role of Interim Executive Director. He has since been named Executive Director. As the competitive season unfolded, there were record setting numbers of WV golfers attempting to qualify for the WV Amateur Championship staged at The Greenbrier over the Memorial Day Weekend. It was highlighted by what has been acclaimed as perhaps the best Players Banquet in over 100 years of the WV Amateur Championship and largely a product of the exemplary creative and organizational skills of the WVGA Director of Finance and Administration, Danielle Monk. As the competitive season unfolded, other highlights included the 100th WV Women’s Amateur Championship at Edgewood Country Club with various accompanying activities to commemorate and celebrate the historic anniversary; and, then there was a simply phenomenal WV Open Championship hosted by Berry Hills Country Club where club pro Barry Evans, his team and the club’s membership pulled out all stops to set a record for purse payouts as well as social value for participants and spectators. While all this was going on there was a record setting year for First Tee - West Virginia, an escalation in participation in the Callaway Junior Tour, the WV Amateur Tour, the Rookie Slack named ED Continued on back cover
Phil Reale President, WVGA