January’s big snow kept many of us off the golf course for nearly a month. As much as I missed being out on the fairways, the quiet stretch gave me time to reflect on BoBirdie’s past and future.
In 2025, we went from one issue of the print magazine a year to two. Our inaugural off-season issue, “Beyond the Green,” allowed us to explore the Valley in a different way—through food, travel, and the quirky characters and places that make this region special, even as our golf courses hibernate for the winter.
I am thrilled to report that “Beyond the Green” was so enthusiastically received that we will continue with two BoBirdies a year: our flagship golf and regional directory, like the very one you hold in your hands right now, plus its new companion issue, which showcases golf’s offseason in the Valley.
While the magazine is the heart of BoBirdie, a top priority for us in 2026 is to weave together various modes of storytelling—print, social media, video, and more—into a tapestry as vibrant and picturesque as the Valley itself. Our hope is that BoBirdie becomes a place where people can discover something new about the Shenandoah Valley, whether through a magazine page, a short video, or a conversation with someone who loves this region as much as we do.
We continue to expand upon the regions and golf courses we highlight in the magazine. In 2025, we added Fisher Mountain near Franklin, WV. In this issue, we are excited to welcome three more wonderful destinations, each with its own personality and style of golf: Schoolhouse Nine in Sperryville, VA; Cacapon Park, just outside Berkeley Springs, WV; and Old Trail in Crozet, VA.
Also in this issue, we’ll introduce you to a few of the people who help make our Valley such an interesting place, from a dynamic father-son duo (p. 14) and a family man who splits his time between the fairway and the raceway (p. 38) to a longtime course pro (p. 24) and an Ivy Leaguer chasing big dreams (p. 52).
And you definitely don’t want to miss our behind-the-scenes look at the wonderfully wacky Noah Shenandoah Cup (p. 32).
As this little magazine continues to grow, so does our appreciation for readers, contributors, and everyone who believes in what we are building together. As always, we want to hear from you! Tell us what you’re reading, watching, enjoying, and discovering. Do not hesitate to share the places we should visit or stories we should tell next.
Until the next round,
Jefferson