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Greg Newport was the defending champion of the Virginia Open – a title he strives to defend. In
regard to the hole changes, holes 3, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 17 were redesigned and the hole locations were
moved. Interestingly, it was still a low scoring course, and the same holes that were a concern five
years earlier – were still… a concern.

The Virginia Open is a 6-round tournament. Three rounds are played in the morning, then the
remaining rounds in the afternoon. On July 10, 2016, the players were greeted by 82-degree weather as
they approached the course in the morning hours to get in some pre-tournament practice. There was a
slight breeze of 5 mph; however, the clouds were starting to dissipate, and the heat was quickly rising.
The course was playing as it had previously played, easy, but not ready to concede low scores. Mid 20s
would be attainable, lower would be a gift. Lower than 20 would be an accomplishment. After Rick
Baird scored his 18, Greg Newport was interviewed, and he conveyed that it was a once in a lifetime
achievement – he would shortly attain that status. The morning rounds were status quo for the
Richmond course. Some low rounds and some high rounds. Out of the 17 professional participants,
there were three 9-hole scores of 10 and thirteen 11s shot…all on the front nine. The lowest round was
shot by Greg Newport, 22, followed by Dr. Brad Lebo with a 23. Newport was leading after the
morning session with a 71 for the three rounds; however, Dr. Lebo and Rick Culverhouse were the
nd
most consistent players on the course, tied for 2 – trailing by just two strokes. There were indicators
in Greg Newport’s rounds that hinted he could shoot very low on the front, but round 3 also exposed
that the back nine was troublesome for him, as he shot a 14 to close out round 3…but still managing a
25 for the round. By afternoon, the heat had hit the high of 88, the humidity was in the upper 40s, so
the heat index hovered around 88 – 90 with a lowered breeze of 2 mph. It was hot, and the heat could
easily be felt as it bounced of the concrete and carpet. As the afternoon rounds started, Newport was
still feeling comfortable with his putting and had one thought in his mind…defend! He just wanted to
maintain his low scoring to defend his title. Then round 4. He played the front nine in his typical
fashion, shooting a solid, uneventful 6 under. He was working to recover the round and go lower due
to the pressure being placed on him by Dr. Lebo and Rick Baird. Unfortunately, Newport’s closing
holes on the back nine included a bogey on 16 and closing pars on 17 and 18. Finishing the round with
a disappointing 28. Thus, allowing Dr. Lebo to take a one stroke lead with a total of 98, and Rick Baird
at 100 for the four round totals. Newport was a bit disappointed with the round, and his self-talk
included language that would make a sailor proud. It must have worked. Round 5. There were no
indicators that Newport was about to step into the history books. He did not approach the round to
shoot an 18; however, he did start the round with two positive thoughts…shoot the lowest round he
can … and…defend. Hole 1 was a short descending hole that can be mischievous at times, but
Newport started his round with a solid ace on one and two. However, hole 3, the hole that gave Rick
Baird such a concern, had been re-designed to have the cup located on
the left rail, on the back side of a small mound (see pic to the left,
Newport’s cup location in white) located close to the rail. The goal was
to hit as far to the left side of the back rail so the ball would return to the
Hole 3 left side of the cup and the hill would allow it to drift into the cup. Too
slow – the ball would break in front of the cup. Too hard – the ball
would roll above the cup. Newport’s putt was center perfect. He proceeded to ace the remaining holes
on the front nine and started to pull away from his competitors. On hole 10, a player in Newport’s
group made the comment that he was halfway to a Rick Baird – alluding to Baird’s 18 that was shot 5
years earlier. However, Newport’s tournament experience would quickly over-ride the prophetic
statement and he responded with. “Not there yet!” It was also about this time that Newport could feel
himself drifting into the elusive “zone” – the rare mental state of hyper-focus and the fascinating
simplicity of making each hole. To this point, every putt had been hit solid. Every speed was as
anticipated. The heat from the mid-afternoon sun was not felt. Noise blended with the sound and feel