The Dominion Energy Charity Classic has been sponsored by Dominion and hosted at Country Club of Virginia since its inception eight years ago.
By far the biggest story of the year in the local golf scene was the behind-the-scenes efforts to try to keep Richmond’s biggest golf tournament from leaving for another region.
The PGA Tour Champions event soon to be formerly known as the Dominion Energy Charity Classic announced as 2023 came to a close that it would lose Dominion as its title sponsor and Country Club of Virginia as its home course after 2025.
So, as 2024 began, various industry players were pondering what might become of the popular annual tournament. First, folks were weighing what other local courses could realistically host an event of that size. By the summer, local businessman Giff Breed and Henrico County Economic Development stepped up to the plate in a big way, by announcing their takeover of The Crossings golf course in Glen Allen with an ultimate goal of pumping $11 million into it to make it the new long-term home for the DECC.
But before they secure a new host course, the organizers of the DECC must first find a new title sponsor willing to take Dominion’s place. It’s the main domino that needs to fall before anything else can occur. Problem is, the PGA folks weren’t have much luck finding one deep-pocketed sponsor. That’s when they decided to get creative and pitch it to a foursome.
Lakeside Park Club is tucked away off Lakeside Avenue. (BizSense file)
While the DECC drama made the biggest waves, there was still plenty of other action in the local golf industry.
Lakeside Park Club, formerly known as Jefferson Lakeside, put its operations in the hands of a few dedicated, business-minded members to try to plot the club’s future after a sale to a large golf course owner didn’t materialize.
Fore Craft Cocktails, a local golf-themed canned cocktail company, continued to try to build momentum for its brand and distribution footprint. Owner Turner Lewis worked to get the drinks on store shelves in two new states and created two new flavors.
The region’s newest indoor golf similar venue, Green Club, opened for business in Chesterfield.
Jarad Earley (left) and Kyle Petersen are co-owners of Green Club, the region’s newest indoor golf simulator venue. (BizSense file photo)
Out in Goochland, the owners of Sycamore Creek Golf Course and a local developer were in discussions to potentially develop part of the longtime public course.
Over in Powhatan, The Foundry Golf Club teed up a plan that could eventually transform part of its grounds into three “country inn” structures for overnight lodging for its members and their guests.
Closing out the year way down in the southern reaches of Chesterfield, Lake Chesdin Golf Club hired Mike Hatch, owner of Birkdale Golf Club and Brandermill Country Club to take over management of the nearly 30-year-old club.
Looking ahead into 2025, expect there to be some movement on the DECC situation, as its organizers are confident in their foursome sponsor approach. One that piece is in place, a new home course would be the next shoe to drop.
I hope they find something fast. PGA starts their schedules with the calendar year and announces schedules in July so the 2026 season will be announced in July 2025. If by say May they do not have all of the issues wrapped up RVA, we will be dropped like NASCAR did with the spring race.