Trinity senior brings Ryder Cup to Midlothian

At the top of Chris Kapsak’s Christmas wish list was a golf tournament to call to his own.

Thanks to some of his best friends, he got it.

The Trinity Episcopal School senior went nontraditional this Yuletide season.

Instead of staying comfy-cozy by the fire, sipping eggnog, he lined up a 24-player, two-day golfing event Dec. 18-19, defying Mother Nature.

“The last two years, there was snow on the ground this same weekend,” Kapsak said with a laugh.

The 17-year-old entrepreneur named his inaugural event the Virginia Ryder Cup, but the Cold Bowl might be more appropriate.

The mercury had an uphill battle trying to get out of the 30’s by tee time, and an ill-tempered Grinch of a wind reminded everyone the winter equinox was near.

The days started with drivers chiseling ice off their windshield – not your typical golfing first step – and firing up the heater.

“There was a lot of complaining about the cold and wind and wet … but it turned out to be a success, and it’s something I plan continuing,” said Kapsak.

Ranging in age from high-school freshmen to college seniors, two dozen golfers played a best-ball format Dec. 18 at Stonehenge; it switched to match (1-on-1) competition Dec. 19 at Independence.

It was a strictly team affair, with the Old Dominion squad prevailing 11.5 - 6.5.

Kapsak, on the Old Dominion side, chose the toughest of all match-ups for himself the second day.

Going head-to-head with Auburn University player Jake Mondy, Kapsak was 1-up at the turn but lost 2-up.

“Honestly, Jake is the best player here,” said Kapsak.

Mondy was the State Group AA champion from Blacksburg High two years ago.

Kapsak is a three-time All-Prep League performer who will attend James Madison University on golf scholarship next school year.

Several current JMU players were in the field, including Connor Walters, Garret Whitmore, Sam Williams and Will MacIlwaine.

The event was made affordable by Stonehenge (where Kapsak is a member) and Independence (where he has a part-time job).

The out-of-town golfers stayed in the homes of the locals.

Kapsak had Ryder Cup T-shirts made for participants and his sister, photographer Becca Kapsak, awarded each player with portrait photo.

“Basically, this is the same group of guys that have played against each other for years on the tour,” said Kapsak.

“This tournament was just a chance to get us all back together.”

Ryder Cup Players: (with current school affiliation)
Old Dominion: Alex Lloyd (Kellam High); Connor Walters (Northcross High); Jeremy Wells (William & Mary); Griffin Clark (Thomas Dale High); Garret Whitmore (JMU); Sam Williams (JMU); Brian Critzer (Greensboro College); Ryan Pratt (Monacan High); Trevor Times (East Carolina); Harrison Vance (Presbyterian); Will MacIlwaine (JMU); Chris Kapsak (Trinity).

Commonwealth: Jake Mondy (Auburn); Ryan Mondy (Blacksburg High); Maclain Huge (Notre Dame Academy); Mark Lawrence Jr. (Godwin High); John David Sanderson (Summit Christian); Andrew Butts (Salem High); Connor Hill (St. Joseph’s College); Jeremy Carrell (Erskine University); Sam Stilwell (Dominion High); Drew Noble (Hampden-Sydney College); Brian Hill (Godwin High); Johno Burke (Trinity).