02/10/2011 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Discussing discrimination in Goochland

> page 5

Volume 57, Number 6 • February 10, 2011

County shocked by treasurer’s arrest State police begin investigation into embezzlement charge By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Virginia State Police have begun their investigation into an embezzlement charge filed last week against Goochland Treasurer Brenda Grubbs. Grubbs was Arrested by the Goochland Sheriff’s Office Feb.2 and freed on $20,000 bond. At her arraignment Monday in Goochland District Court a preliminary hearing date was set for March 14. Goochland Circuit

Court Judge Timothy K. Sanner has named Fluvanna Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeffrey W. Haislip as special prosecutor to handle the case. Grubbs was arrested after investigators from Wachovia Bank contacted Goochland CountyAdministrator Rebecca Dickson last week to report that Grubbs had attempted to cash a $14,000 check on a county account. Wachovia Bank had previously contacted the Sheriff’s Office Jan. 24 “to

report unusual bank transactions with a county account,” said Goochland Sheriff James L. Agnew. When confronted by Agnew, Grubbs admitted to attempting to cash the check, according to an affidavit to a search warrant issued for her vehicle and “she confessed cashing other checks since August 2010. She believes these check could amount to$135,000,” continued the affidavit.

Grubbs also told Agnew that she had wired money to Dubai by means of Western Union. Agnew said that while permission from the attorney general is needed for the state police to investigate a constitutional officer, he acted “in order to ensure the integrity of the county financial system and to prevent any further attempts to withdraw cash.” see Grubbs > page 2

BRENDA GRUBBS

Supervisors greet school budget with skepticism But speakers give it support By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Photo by Ken Odor

School Board Chairmen Ivan Mattox and Goochland School Superintendent Linda Underwood present the approved schools budget to the board of supervisors at last weeks meeting.

INDEX

Calendar Classifieds Education Letters

12 13-15 4 6

News Opinion Sports TV Listings

3 6 8 10-12

The big item on last week’s evening session at the Goochland Board of Supervisors meeting was the presentation of the School Board Approved Budget, which asks for a county transfer of just over $18 million, about

SPORTS There’s a buzz in the air with R-MC baseball. > page 8

$1.4 million more than the suggested transfer made by the county administrator last fall. According to budget figures prepared by the School Board, the $23,696,456 figure requested by the schools represents a $742,911 increase over fiscal year 20102011, with $444,214 accounted for by a VRS rate increase, which the School Board hopes to pay for with money from the VRS reserve fund established by the county. The remaining $287,399 represents a request for more

funding from the county. Nine speakers availed themselves of the mike during the citizens’ comment period just before the presentation. Seven urged the board to support the schools budget, some urging the supervisors to consider raising the tax rate, if necessary. First to the mike was Kevin Heff, who encouraged the board to maintain the current real estate tax rate, or even lower it. He also asked the board to “hold the School Board accountable.”

T H E

But speaker after speaker that followed took the opposite side. “I am more than happy to pay more taxes,” said Carolyn Elliot. “If something isn’t done, the schools will go down.” “I truly feel we are at the breaking point,” said Beth Hardy. Ken Stern said he was in favor of fully funding the school budget request and agreed raising property tax rate should be an option. see School > page 4

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Grubbs continued from > page 1 By Thursday the state police had begun their investigation, searching Grubbs’ home on Whitehall Road, while the Sheriff’s Office seized materials from the treasurer’s office. At the time of her arrest, Goochland Sheriff’s deputies found Western Union receipts indicating “the wiring of large sums of money,” according to the search warrant affidavit issued for the search of the treasurer’s office. County employees have assumed duties at the treasurer’s office, while employees there have taken administrative leave, said Dickson last week, who was quick to add that there was no reason to believe any one else was involved. “The staff in the treasurer’s office willingly took some administrative leave to allow law

enforcement personnel complete access to potential evidence,” said Dickson. Items recovered from Grubbs’ residence included two computers and electronic and paper records. Items taken from the treasurer’s office included financial documents, emails and a hospital bill from Dubai. Grubbs was first elected treasurer in 2003, succeeding Geraldine Parrish. Grubbs earned $72,034 annually, according to a 2009 list of salaries provided to the Gazette by the county. Since that time, the county has suffered a number of financial embarrassments, leading to the hiring of a new accounting firm, KPMG, to conduct an audit of the county’s finances. KPMG’s report indicated the need for better reporting procedures by the treasurer’s office, but did not indicate any wrongdoing. KPMG noted in a January 3, 2011 letter to included in the

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Comprehensive Annual Financial Report presented to the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 4 that the treasurer’s office suffered from a “lack of segregation of duties and functioning controls.” KPMG noted “Treasurer has the ability to initiate, approve and post wire transfers without a secondary review and approval, and Treasurer has access to post entries to the general ledger system and assists in the preparation of cash reconciliations for certain bank statements on a monthly basis.” In that same report, Deputy County Administrator John Wack noted that new written policies had been put in place relating to the treasurer’s office after June 30, 2010. Wack said Tuesday that it is unknown if any alleged wire transfers made by Grubbs came from county accounts. He said KPMG had planned to meet with Grubbs to discuss new procedures for wire transfers.

Dickson sent a letter to Grubbs Jan. 21 asking for more cooperation on dealing with concerns raised by KPMG. Grubbs has not resigned from her position as Goochland Treasurer but a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors has been called for Wednesday, Feb. 9 to discuss the status of the treasurer and the operation of the Treasurer’s Office. At the same time, a recall petition may be in the works. Goochland Republican Committee chairman Ben Slone said he plans to collect enough signatures to present to a judge to have Grubbs recalled. He figures he needs 486, 10 percent of the votes Grubbs received in her uncontested 2007 reelection. “It’s a no-brainer,” said Slone, who attended Grubbs’ Monday arraignment. “She’s collecting a salary from the citizens. The confession says it all.”

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Goochland County Treasurer Brenda Grubbs leaves the courthouse area after her arraignment as TV cameramen attempt to get her photo.

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February 10, 2011

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

It’s county budget time, again

By Jim Ridolphi news@goochlandgazette.com

It’s that time of the year again. At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, County administrator Rebecca Dickson outlined the county’s upcoming budget schedule that will eventually lead to a 2012 budget. A Pro Forma capital improvement plan for 2012-16 will be presented Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., while a meeting on utility rate changes is scheduled for the same night. The county’s proposed budget will be aired March 1, and the Board of Supervisors will approve the advertised tax rates on that night or by March 14. Agencies will present their budgets March 29 and 31 at 1 p.m., and a public hearing is scheduled for March 29 at 7 p.m. The board is set to adopt the budget at its April 5 evening session beginning at 7 p.m. Fire Chief William MacKay asked the board to accept a ladder truck acquired recently by Company 1. The vehicle was purchased by Company 1 funds and the county will only be responsible for fuel and insurance. The company found the used vehicle out west and had to replace some tires and rims. Other than that, the truck is in pristine condition and is a welcomed addition to the county fleet and will fill a critical gap in coverage. MacKay also said more county residents are using wood stoves as colder temperatures invade the area. “That’s fine providing they are installed properly,” MacKay said. He reminded residents that proper maintenance and installation are vital to the safe operation

of wood stoves. Assistant county administrator John Wack said the state is changing the rules when it comes to Line of Duty Act, a fund that provides death benefits for local public safety personnel. The state will no longer pay for the program and employees will fund the premiums. Localities could opt to pick up the payments. In Goochland, that would involve about 300 volunteers. Wack said supervisors need to decide whether to opt out of the program or contribute to the payments, or decide just pay the claims through a reserve fund. “We need to see what happens

during the next several months in the General Assembly,” Wack said. Code enforcement officer David Lloyd recommended proposed changes to county ordinances addressing abandoned vehicles. Lloyd wants to include abandoned trailers or semi trailers in the ordinance with farm equipment exempted from the new requirement. Supervisor Jim Eads recommended the panel refer the matter to the Planning Commission without the farm equipment exemption. “It’s irrational to simply say an old piece of farm utility junk

is not junk,” he said. He motioned to refer the change without the farm equipment but there was no second. Supervisor Malvern “Rudy” Butler said protecting the farmer is important and said when the farmers are gone, Goochland will no longer be rural. “That’s a commendable remark, but it’s my understanding there are 10 farmers in Goochland… and I don’t think those 10 people are going to take down this country,” Eads replied. The board referred the matter to the Planning Commission as presented with the farm equipment exempted.

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School continued from > page 1 The actual budget presentation was a team effort by all the School Board members, with the assistance of Goochland School Superintendent Linda Underwood. School Board chairman Ivan Mattox reminded the supervisors of the 1992 report of the Committee on Excellence in Goochland County (CEEG). “We have created a school division that will draw people to the county to raise their families,” said Mattox. Mattox was followed by other school board members, who outlined reductions made in the last few years and increases and reductions in the current budget. Highlights of the presentation were a proposal to eliminate two of the four furlough

EDUCATION: School Board and Academic News

days now required of full-time school employees and the hiring of a math specialist. These two changes would add about $211,000 to the budget. School Board member Raymond Miller asked that the schools appropriation be made as a lump sum rather than by category. The lump sum idea did not fly with at least one of the supervisors. “It absolutely destroys transparency and accountability,” said supervisor Jim Eads. “I would never vote for it. I think it is wrong, wrong, wrong.” Eads, who is not seeking reelection this fall, had other criticisms of the schools budget. “There is no doubt in my mind that Goochland County appropriates enough money for a first class school system,” he said. “My opinion is the money doesn’t get to the

classroom.” Board of Supervisors chairman William Quarles said later in the week that he also favored a appropriation by categories rather than a lump sum appropriation “The real advantage of funding by categories is that the Board of Supervisors is prohibited from making adjustments in individual line items of the school budget estimate, although it can make changes in major category totals. This allows the Board more oversight regarding its fiduciary obligation as the taxing authority for the county - a sort of check on finances and a chance to ask questions and discuss finance,” said Quarles. A public hearing is scheduled for March 29 at 7 p.m. for the schools budget and all other budget items, including tax rate, with adoption of the Photo by Ken Odor county budget anticipated at The entire five member Goochland School Board sits in the front row at last week’s board of the April 5 meeting. supervisors meeting to take part in the presentation of the school’s budget.

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Jacquelyn Pogue, left, engages in a dialogue setting. She will facilitate a presentation at Goochland Middle School on the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Class Dividedâ&#x20AC;? on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

Dialogue at GMS to promote discussion on discrimination By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Are brown-eyed people â&#x20AC;&#x153;betterâ&#x20AC;? than those with blue eyes? Or is it the other way around? What if you were told as a child that you were better because your eyes were a certain color? Most people would say thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no difference but in April 1968, when Martin Luther King was assassinated, an Iowa third-grade teacher used eye color to help her students understand discrimination. Her project became the subject of the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Class Divided,â&#x20AC;? which will be shown Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at Goochland Middle School. Sponsored by the PTA, the program will be facilitated by Jacquelyn Pogue of Richmond Action Dialogues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like this film,â&#x20AC;? said Pogue in a recent interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gets to the core.â&#x20AC;? In the film, teacher Jane

Elliot of Riceville, Iowa decides to divide her students into blue and brown-eyed groups and on alternate days tells them that blue-eyed people are smarter or brown-eyed people are better. The students, all white in the tiny town, learn first hand what it feels like to be regarded as different. The third year Elliot taught her lesson cameras for PBSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frontline were there and 14 years later Frontline filmed a reunion of the 1970 class. According to Pogue, things havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed all that much since 1970 or 1984. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issue of discrimination is alive and well in the world today,â&#x20AC;? she said when asked why she picked that film to begin the forum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we focus on groups people tend to take sides,â&#x20AC;? explained Pogue. People have a fear of the unknown and are conditioned to destroy threats, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Equality is a somewhat foreign thing,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Pogue, who lives in Crozier with her husband Bob, is a retired psychotherapist and Antioch University professor and has worked as an organizational consultant and international speaker/workshop leader for corporations and conferences.

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Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

February 10, 2011

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The big news Last week the big news was supposed to be the School Board’s long-anticipated budget presentation to the Board of Supervisors. And it was big news, coming in at more than a million dollars more than the county administration had asked schools to work with. But pushing that off the Goochland news radar screen almost immediately was the arrest of Goochland Treasurer Brenda Grubbs on a charge of embezzlement. Although there had been problems with the treasurer closing accounts on time, most did not expect any like this. One might truly say that for a county so small (in population) Goochland has generated more than its share of news these last few years. Without a database it’s hard to know where to begin when reviewing the bombshells that have been dropped. But just to list a few, and I draw these from personal recollection only, we offer these: Utilities fiasco – Uncashed checks lying about. This fiscal mismanagement led to the firing of the Utilities Director and ultimately the resignation of the former county administrator. A giant restatement of county accounts last year, involving numerous serious errors when a county-wide audit was performed by a new accounting firm, which replaced the former outfit that had been auditing the county since Lord knows when. Let’s see, then there was the discovery that the pipes in the TCSD might have deficiencies after a rupture occurred. And now a treasurer who allegedly managed to withdraw large amounts of cash and wire those amounts to an off-shore account. For those of us not in the financial trade, one wonders how such things might have happened, assuming they did. Most of us probably do not understand the interaction between the constitutional officers who collect and pay out the county’s money, but surely there must be a way to monitor these things. We’ll be asking questions along that line in the future. Back to the other big news: It was interesting to see the skeptical reaction of the supervisors to the School Board’s budget presentation. One board member suggested that a better way to demonstrate the effects of cutting the budget again based on a lower county transfer would have been to simply present a budget based on the $693,000 projected decrease in the county transfer that County Administrator Rebecca Dickson communicated to Goochland Superintendent of Schools Linda Underwood last fall. At least that would have made plain where some of the cuts might come from and perhaps better made the case for asking for a larger transfer. - Ken Odor

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School Board presentation more cuts needed to prevent property tax rate to support an increase in property taxes. Goochland’s FY 2011-2012 budunconvincing The School Board’s FY 20112012 budget presentation to the Goochland Supervisors on February 1 asking for $1.4 million more than previously offered by our Board of Supervisors was wobbly and unconvincing. A number of people spoke in favor of the budget increase and even a tax increase to support the school budget but no one spoke in favor of making

Obviously no one wants to be perceived as not being in favor of the best schools we can afford. But I heard citizens in the audience express opinions on where more cuts in the school budget might be made. Goochland County property taxes have been on an upward spiral for many years and now is certainly not the time to continue that trend. I am strongly opposed to any increase in our

get. Before retiring from the Federal government I managed a large Federal budget and I have been through the proposed school budget line by line and don’t understand it. There are positions, programs and things listed in the budget that didn’t exist when I was in school in the 1950s and 1960s. And I serisee Letters > page 7

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Letters to the Editor

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February 10, 2011

Letters continued from > page 6 ously doubt that anyone on Board of Supervisors or in the county administration could go through the proposed School Budget line by line and ferret out where more cuts can be safely made. The budget cuts offered by the School Board seemed superficial, trivial and designed more to attract attention rather than solve

a problem. When backs are against the wall, governments use the trick of cutting things that gain attention rather than cut their pet projects. Recall our state government closing interstate rest areas and DMV offices to elicit public outrage rather than make more fundamental but less visible cuts in state budgets. My recommendation is that Goochland County hire an unbiased, well qualified education consultant to review and investigate the

OPINION: Letters to the Editor School Board’s proposed FY 2011-2012 budget. This is likely the only way the Board of Supervisors can be assured that more cuts in the school budget are reasonable and do not jeopardize state or Federal mandated programs. Heaven knows the county spends a ton of money on lawyers so we certainly should be able to hire an education consultant to review our largest and most important budget. In times of economic difficulty we owe our children

Maguire recovering from surgery Last Wednesday, Goochland senior football player Adam Maguire underwent surgery, to remove a brain tumor. Adam’s parents Paul and Carolyn have posted regular updates online at http://www.caringbridge.org/ visit/adammaguire. Maguire came through surgery fine and the latest MRI’s indicate that the doctors removed the entire tumor. As of Saturday, Adam was up and walking but still feeling very ill. On Monday, the final pathology report determined that the tumor was benign/not cancerous.

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a sound public education but not all the frills that some professional educators would like to have. I would feel a lot better, especially if the tax rate must be raised, knowing a final school budget is the result of sound judgments rather than politics and gamesmanship. Remember that when tax rates are raised in hard times they are seldom lowered when the economy improves and governments usually take advantage of a revenue windfall. Art Bachman Gum Spring

Proposed Goodwill Store in Goochland neighborhood I can not believe that planning commission is considering rezoning multiple established brick houses in our neighborhood from

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www.goochlandgazette.com residential to commercial. You heard that right, they want to demolish two brick houses and build a 17,000 SF Goodwill store at the corner of Mill Road. The building will also have 100 parking spaces and be open from 7 am – 10 pm. The building is so large that there is not even room on Broad St for the entrances. I can not believe they will even consider this rezoning request. It is a huge intrusion on the Bellview Gardens neighborhood and will

lead to increased crime and deflated property values for everyone. Join me in saying No to this development by coming out and supporting our neighborhood at the community meeting on Wednesday February 16th at Company 3 Fire Station on Broad St at 7 pm. There are better uses for this space and certainly better ways for our County to increase funding. Jim Ingersol Bellview Gardens

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Goochland County Parks & Recreation is now accepting nominations for Wall of Fame sponsored by Goochland County Recreation Advisory Commission: The purpose of the Goochland County Parks & Recreation Wall of Fame award is intended to honor a Goochland County resident with a longstanding humanitarian commitment to addressing community needs. This commitment will have been demonstrated through the development of personal contributions that go well beyond the traditional service role of the average citizen and reach individuals whose lives may not have been as fully enriched. This award brings to light community service as an important element of the humanitarian mission and singles out individuals who serve as examples of social responsiveness on behalf of Goochland County. The award recipient must have demonstrated broad-based, commitment to community service as reflected in a variety of programs and initiatives which are responsive to community and social needs and which show evidence of a true partnership with the community. Applications (PDF format) can be found on the Parks & Recreation Department website at www.co.goochland.va.us with deadline to submit Wall of Fame Application is March 15th, 2011. Please contact Goochland County Parks & Recreation at (804) 556-5854 for more information.

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February 10, 2011

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Yellow Jackets buzzing about everything new Former Bulldogs will once again play key role in success BY CHARLIE LEFFLER cleffler@goochlandgazette.com

Ashland, VA— There’s a buzz on the RandolphMacon College campus as spring draws near and it’s not coming from the Yellow Jacket mascot. This buzz is emerging from the R-MC baseball team and the anticipation of opening the 2011 season in a brand new complex. With the competition of Hugh Stephens Field at the Estes Park complex on campus, the R-MC baseball team will finally have a home to themselves. “I’m excited for our guys to be able to come out and have a field to call their own,” said head coach Ray Hedrick. “It’s exciting for anybody who’s ever been a part of the Randolph-Macon baseball program.” Prior to this season, the baseball team had to share space with football because

their fields overlapped. “We’re excited to play,” said first baseman Jordan Walton. Former Goochland standout Brian Jordan agreed. “I’ve really enjoyed having our own field,” he said. “Sharing with football was a burden really and now that we can do our own thing whenever we want to, is great.” The stadium, which features permanent seating, a new scoreboard, enclosed dugouts and a press box has been described as one of the state’s premiere facilities. “I think having this facility legitimizes our program,” Hedrick said. “Not that I don’t think we had a legitimate program to begin with, but when you’re playing in a shared facility, a dual sports facility, it’s hard to get your guys excited about playing college baseball and get them to understand what privilege it is to play college baseball. You come out here; this is one of the finest facilities at any and all levels.” But the Yellow Jackets have plenty to be excited about

Trevor Jenkins chooses Liberty

Goochland offensive lineman Trevor Jenkins has signed a national letter of intent for a full scholarship to play football at Liberty University. The three year letterman committed to Coach Danny Rocco and the Flames in the summer of 2010. Jenkins was a first team

Jefferson District and Region II offensive tackle, and named second team All-Metro by the Richmond Times Dispatch. Jenkins was named second team All State by both the Associated Press and Virginia High School Coaches Association. Trevor is the son of Todd and Cindy Jenkins of Columbia.

above and beyond playing on Hugh Stephens Field. This year the team is also abuzz with talent. “This year, I think is the best team I’ve been on at Randolph-Macon,” said Walton. “Everybody’s buying into the whole program.” And the biggest coin in that cash crop is senior catcher Jay Lichter who was tabbed as the school’s first pre-season All-American. “That’s a guy who’s worked extremely hard,” Hedrick said. Lichter returns as the team’s top hitter, batting .433 with a .531 on-base percentage. “All of the awards and different things he’s been able to achieve over the past year and a half, he’s very deserving.” And while Lichter cannot play for his teammates, his All-American status gives the squad an added boost. “That anchors our team, knowing we have that leadership behind the plate calling the game,” Walton said. “We feel comfortable with him.” Senior pitcher Kyle Hicks, another Goochland standout, returns as the team’s top hurler after being granted an extra year of eligibility due to injury. For Hicks it’s a bonus being able to throw to a player like Lichter. “It’s pretty comforting knowing you have an AllAmerican on your team,” he said. “I don’t think anything will change in his mind, but it does feel good.” Hicks finished last season with a 6-2 record and a 2.15 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched. With the NCAA rules change mandating use of BBCOR bats, pitching will be the key to success in college baseball this season. And while it was often a setback last year due to injury, R-MC can boast a deeper and more talented rotation this spring.

Photo by Charlie Leffler

This Saturday, the Randolph-Macon baseball team is set to kick off their season in a brand new stadium, but there is even more buzz about the talent on this year’s team.

“I think our pitching staff has a chance to be pretty good this year,” Hedrick said. With Hicks, the Yellow Jackets return five of their top six hurlers from last season; Hicks, Jordan, Michael Helbig, James Bierlein and Justin Thorn. But Jordan, who had shoulder surgery last summer, will not pitch this season. Yet even without Jordan, the rotation has been deepened by incoming transfers of junior Ryan Wood and sophomore Jamie Hendrick. Hedrick also likes what he’s seen from freshman Matt Fischgrund. Sharing time behind the plate with Litchter will be senior Cory Jackson. The players on the left side of the infield will be new to college baseball but not their positions, yet there is no question about the right side where Walton will cover first. “Arguably the best first baseman in our league, certainly from a defensive standpoint,” Hedrick said. Along with Jordan in

the outfield, sophomore Jeb Weymouth returns. Last year as a freshman, Weymouth had an immediate impact as the team’s leading scorer, batting .556 with a .427 on base percentage. Hedrick feels the best is yet to come from Weymouth. “He has a chance to be an All-American, AllRegion player at our level,” Hedrick said. With the newness of the left infield, one player who could make an immediate impact because of his versatility is freshman Kevin Carroll out of Goochland. “He’s certainly in the mix,” Hedrick said. “He’s a very athletic player. He can do a lot of different things for your team. Heck, he can probably play every position, he can probably even catch…I think he’s going to have an opportunity to do a lot of different things.” When it comes to putting the ball in play, R-MC also returns a majority of its hitting talent. “Offensively, we only lost two guys out of our lineup last year,” Hedrick said. “So we should be able to

hold our own offensively.” Even though they received the most (5) first place votes R-MC (88 pts) was tabbed second over-all by league coaches in the preseason ODAC poll that was released last week. Defending champion Bridgewater (90 pts) came out on top despite only receiving four first place votes. The break-in period for Hugh Stephens Field will not be long as R-MC plays five home games in the first week of the season. This Saturday, the Yellow Jackets will host St. Mary’s of Maryland in a noon double header then play N.C. Wesleyan on Wed. Feb. 16. A trip to Christopher Newport on Thursday is followed by a home double header against Rowan on Feb. 19. Local players on other ODAC teams this season include former Goochland player Colby Carter who is a freshman infielder at Hampden-Sydney and Benedictine’s Guy Hatch, a sophomore pitcher for Virginia Wesleyan.

Thursday

February 10, 2011

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Loss of sponsor could be bonus for golf tournament LPGA takes the lead for Futures Tour BY CHARLIE LEFFLER cleffler@goochlandgazette.com

Rarely is it a good thing when a sporting event loses a corporate sponsor. But in the case of the ladies developmental golf tour, the impact could be a resounding bonus. For the past three years, the Duramed Futures Tour has made an annual August stop at Richmond Country Club, showcasing the top young female golfers from around the globe. However, ambiguity has hindered publicity and the public turnout for the event, simply by having Duramed in the title. “Everybody had to explain what Duramed was, what they did and who they did and who they did it for,” said Richmond Country Club Director of Golf Matthew Schulze. Despite an increase in attendance each year of the event at RCC, many golf fans shied away from attending the tournament because they were uncertain of the quality of play. But this year Duramed decided not to renew their

sponsorship of the tour and the current economic climate has not been conducive to finding a nationwide replacement. Therefore, the LPGA, which took over the tour two and half years ago, decided it was time to step to the forefront. By simply changing the name to the LPGA Futures Tour, a resounding clarity and ease of publicity has been brought to the event. “Now everybody understands what it is,” Schulze said. “We no longer have to fight it. What is it? Who is it? It’s selfexplanatory now.” By stepping to the forefront, the LPGA has insured that every golf fan will know the tour competitors are among the best in the world. Schulze feels the Future’s Tour could experience a similar boost as with the name association in the NBA Developmental League. “We finally know where we’re at and it’s going to be so much easier to talk to people and give it the identity that we’ve been trying to portray for three years,” Schulze said. “This really is the proving ground, it’s the nationwide tour of the LPGA and these girls really do move on.” One person who has a close

understanding of just how good the golfer are is Greg Solomon, President of the Richmond Country Club. Solomon has worked as a caddy for the golfers in the Richmond Classic. “If you really want to see how good they are, get out there on the course,” he said. “It’s unbelievable. This is not a bunch of kids playing golf. They’re serious. I’ve seen shots out there I can’t believe anybody could make. In fact a couple of them, I saw them start to do it and I’d think, ‘She’s fool. What is she doing?’ and they pull it off.” The Richmond Country Club will also play a big role in promoting the entire tour this season. As a means to promote the new outlook, the LPGA produced a video to advertise their lead association. Ninety percent of the video footage was shot during the Richmond Golf Classic last August. “The gentleman was here from Monday to Sunday shooting footage,” Schulze said. “It’s a huge compliment or pat on the back that they decided to come here and do it.” Likewise, the Richmond Tournament has become the one stop that every golfer looks forward to. “This is one of their favorite tournaments of the year,” said RCC tour-

Lady Bulldogs Shoot for a Cure Photo submitted by Sarah Voyack

Last week the Goochland girls basketball team raised almost $100 to be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Central VA. Front from left: Tammara Taylor, Dana Rodriguez, Carrie Mills, Tiffany Epps. Missing: Jessica Liddle. Back: Abbie Robinson, Chakiryn Jackson, Amber Robinson, Briana Jackson.

Photo by Charlie Leffler

Director of Golf Matthew Schulze addressed a gathering at Richmond Country Club to explain how the loss of Futures Tour sponsor Duramed could actually prove beneficial to the tournament in the long run. With the LPGA stepping to the forefront there is no longer any ambiguity about the level of golf that will be played in the Richmond Golf Classic at RCC in August.

nament co-chair June Burks. “It’s because the Richmonders make them feel welcome.” Solomon feels the tournament also provides an oppor-

tunity to do something special. “If you think about it, there aren’t many more admirable things that we can do in life than promote the pursuit of

excellence and help young people reach their goals and their dreams,” Solomon said. “This is certainly the event to do that.”

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