Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 14 No. 3 | December 2021

28 Inside Hokie Sports a resource to primary-care physicians and neurologists rewarding on so many levels. You and your family were able to attend the VT 2021 Baseball Reunion Weekend this past spring. What was it like to get back and see the program with so many former teammates and coaches? The VT 2021 Baseball Reunion was outstanding! It is hard to believe it’s been 20 years since I first stepped on campus. So many of the guys I had not seen since graduation, but it meant a lot to see the effort some folks made to get there. David McDonald (’05) from Arizona, Matt Kalish (’06) and Ryan Kennedy (’06) from Florida, Jed English (’03) from Texas, and I am sure others that I am forgetting. Even though it had been a while, it doesn’t take long for the stories and memories to be shared. My family spent a lot of time with Brett Cory (’06) and his family. We were able to take our kids out on the baseball field for pictures and even out through the tunnel in Lane Stadium. My family made many amazing memories from the weekend, and one more that we will never forget: Our son, Colin, age 3, decided that he would like to pull the FIRE ALARM, right as Coach John Szefc is starting his remarks to show a couple hundred family members the brand-new clubhouse and hitting facility. Everyone had to evacuate, and the tour was over! As you can imagine, I took so much shrapnel and grief over this, but we will never forget it. Line of the weekend came from Matt Kalish (’06) , “Hey Jeff, now that the fire’s out, can we go take some more swings over in the new hitting facility?” My son’s middle name is Davis, so he may be a “Crash Davis” type, so we are on our toes! Also, shout out to Maddux Cory for teaching my boys, “Boo UVA!” MEN’S GOLF Throughout the COVID pandemic, rounds of golf have continued to increase throughout the country due to the natural social distancing that occurs in the sport. However, collegiate golf was put on hiatus for the majority of teams in the fall of ’20, and when the Virginia Tech men’s golf team did resume play in the spring, the schedule was more regional, minimizing the need for air travel. The 2021-22 season has seen a more typical fall slate for the Hokies, with five tournaments played, beginning at Duke in early September. As the team embarks on this year’s campaign, much promise is seen with incoming freshman David Stanford (’25) from Vienna, Va. Among his successes this summer, he captured a second VSGA Junior Championship and qualified for the US Amateur Championship at historic Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. He joins a very talented group, led by fifth-year senior Connor Burgess (’22) , who leads the team in scoring with a 70.25 average, including a record-tying 64 in the final round at East Tennessee State. Coach Brian Sharp said, “This year’s team has a great mix of players throughout all classes. The spring schedule gets even more competitive, but I think you will see several players step up and have some great results.” 2020 Tokyo Olympics –Former Tech golfer Scott Vincent (’15) qualified through the World Golf Rankings to compete for his native Zimbabwe. Scott tied for 16th in the event, placing him alongside, and ahead of, many of today’s star PGA Tour players. He is currently playing on the European Tour and the Japanese Tour, winning his first title on that tour in August, and followed that with his second win just two weeks later. Scott is now ranked #110 in the world. Golf Alumni –The 2021 Men’s Golf Alumni Reunion was held at the Pete Dye River Course on October 30-31. Approximately 30 former players gathered for two rounds of golf and a group social and dinner. Joining the alumni for the reunion was Karen Willard and family. Former Men’s Golf Coach E.G. Willard passed suddenly in September and the team was honored to have his family represented. Several alumni sponsored hats for the reunion with E.G.’s initials, in honor of Coach Willard. The Golf Alumni congratulate the Monogram Club on the initiation of an Endowed Scholarship program. Golf has been the beneficiary of many great supporters and leads Virginia Tech in this area with 35 endowed scholarships. (Men’s Golf Director, Mike Ligon ’82 (ligonm01@verizon.net)). Continued from page 27 1290 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073 • 540-382-7500 • www.gandhappliance.com Find us at G&H Appliance We are looking forward to a new year of less struggles and greater prosperity. Thank YOU for a SUCCESSFUL YEAR! Text or email us with your order and we’ll have it ready! 540-382-7500 or info@gandhappliance.com Visit G&H for all of your tailgate grilling needs. Established 1969