V Invitational Celebrates 10 Years
When John Vassallo became one of the first national members at Baltusrol Golf Club, he had an idea to bring together golfers from around the country for a tournament at one of America’s finest clubs. The V Invitational enjoyed its 10th year in 2018 as one of the most popular events of its kind.
“Golf is so great but to me, the social side of it has been even better than the game,” Vassallo explained. “I’ve met so many great people from playing and the V Invitational is kind of that deal, trying to get a good group of guys who don’t all know each other together for golf and fun.”
The 36-hole event, limited to eight players, is conducted over Baltusrol’s Upper and Lower Courses with a Stableford format – “we don’t want anyone putting out for an eight, that’s no fun,” Vassallo said – and this past year, the coveted Black Jacket went to D.C. Sauter from the Lakewood Country Club in Dallas for the fourth time in the last eight years.
“He’s on our Tiger Woods pace,” Vassallo joked.
Vassallo, who plays out of the Vaquero Golf Club in Dallas, has played all 10 years as Chairman but has never won it himself. Not that it matters.
“We try to make it a big deal so we do a book every year, and programs . . . a web site,” he explained. “We award the Black Jacket at a dinner at Fiorino’s in Summit and we’ve had some pretty impressive people as honorary chairman over the years.”
That list includes 2018 chairman Jordan Spieth, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Rudy Giuliani, Roger Staubach and Tony Romo (Vassallo is from Dallas, after all). The players have come from clubs including Bel-Air, Southern Hills, National and Shinnecock Hills. Former major league pitcher Kenny Rogers has been a participant.
“Baltusrol is such a great place,” Vassallo said. “If you’re down here in Dallas it’s a club that not everybody gets to go to all the time so I take people up there all the time. It’s always great to be able to stay at the club and play both courses. The V Invitational is just good fun, bringing good guys together to meet some new people and play a great golf course.”
(Pictured above: John Vassallo with 2018 winner DC Sauter)