Richmond, VA, October 24 - Brothers Steve and Jay Serrao prevailed in the Willow Oaks Fall Invitational with a 36 hole total of 134. This is the second title for the Serraos. They also won the 2001 event when they also posted a 134, that year on a much different Willow Oaks course prior to its 2007 renovation. Steve Serrao is a Willow Oaks member and brother Jay plays out of Cavalier Yacht & Golf Club in Virginia Beach.

One stroke back at 135 and tied for second place were three teams. Playing with the Serraos in the final round, first round leaders Chris Baloga and Rusty Pies made a late run but fell just short of the title. Pies birdied 16 and Baloga 17 to draw within a stroke of the Serraos but had to settle for par on 18 and a tie for second. This was the first outing in the Fall Invitational for Baloga, playing out of Towson Golf Club (Towson, MD), and Pies, current Club Champion at Bethesda Country Club (Bethesda, MD).

Also at 135 in second place were the teams of Robert Nussey, Jr. and Scott Bemberis and Hank Klein and Cam Young. Klein and Young finished last year's event at 133 tied for the lead but lost the championship in a tense 6 hole playoff to eventual 2008 champions Larry Loving and Scott Campbell. Loving and Campbell came up short in their title defense this year, posting 142 for the tournament.

In the Senior Division, John Casstevens and George Owens came in at 134 to take the title over second place finishers Joe Records and Randy Morris, who were 5 strokes back at 139.

Richmond, VA, October 23 - Peter Hodson, former Professional at Willow Oaks Country Club, was honored at a dinner held after the 1st round of the 21st Annual Willow Oaks Fall Invitational tournament this evening. Over 100 were in attendance at the dinner, including Hodson's wife Gena, their sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. A brief video outlining Hodson's life in golf was presented after dinner, after which Hodson was presented with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the game of golf. Hodson received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd after making brief remarks. Click the image below to view the video.

Loving-Campbell Prevail in Sudden Death Playoff to Win 2008 Event

Richmond, VA, October 25, 2008 - Hank Klein rolled in birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes in the second round of the 2008 Willow Oaks Fall Invitational as he and partner Cam Young overcame a four stroke deficit to force a playoff with first round leaders Larry Loving, Jr. and Scott Campbell. Tied at 11 under 133 after regulation play, the competitors went to a sudden death playoff loop around the 1st, 2nd, and 18th holes. Pars tied the first 5 holes of the playoff and the players arrived again at the 18th hole. Larry Loving reached the green in regulation and rolled in a 45' birdie putt that clinched the win in the 20th Annual Fall Invitational.

Click any of the images below for videos from the 2008 Willow Oaks Fall Invitational

    The Willow Oaks Fall Invitational is a selected field 36 hole fourball tournament. The goal of the Willow Oaks Fall Invitational is to promote the spirit and tradition of amateur golf by hosting a competitive yet enjoyable fall event that attracts the best amateur players from the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Sportsmanship and camarederie are keys to the success the event has enjoyed since it was first played in 1988.

    The Fall Invitational trophy is named in honor of Jack Isaacs (right), Head Golf Professional at Willow Oaks from 1965-1969 and Pro Emeritus until the time of his death at age 73 in March of 1982. Prior to coming to Willow Oaks, Isaacs served as Head Golf Professional at Langley Air Force Base from 1938-1963 and at Tequesta Country Club in Jupiter, Florida from 1963-1965. Among many championships, he won the Virginia State Open Championship five times (1949, 1950, 1956, 1958, and 1961); the Maryland State Open Championship three times (1949, 1951, and 1952); and the Middle Atlantic PGA Championship in 1941. He played in the 1950 and 1954 Masters and is a member of both the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame.

    A Richmond native and a product of the Country Club of Virginia's caddy program, Isaacs had an illustrious career at Willow Oaks and his influence was felt long after his day-to-day work as the Club's professional ended. Isaacs met Peter Hodson, a member of the British PGA, while touring United States air bases in England in the early 60's. Isaacs befriended the young Englishman and encouraged him to emigrate to the United States. Hodson eventually settled in Richmond, succeeded Isaacs as Head Professional, and spent more than 20 years at Willow Oaks.

    For out-of-town competitors, our Club staff will be pleased to assist you in arranging suitable accomodations for your stay during the tournament. Willow Oaks Country Club is a quick eight minute drive from the heart of downtown Richmond. A variety of restaurants, nightlife, and attractions are within easy walking distance of numerous hotels in the historic Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom areas near the heart of the financial district. Weather for the tournament has historically been pleasant and it is not unusual to experience late-season Indian summer days during tournament week. Golf courses in the mid-Atlantic region are in peak condition during October due to the mild autumn weather throughout the area.