BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
KERMIT — Local insurance agent David “Davey” Jude of Kermit, W.Va, an outstanding golfer since high school, recently won a prestigious award for the sport he loves.
Jude, who played college golf at Marshall University, won Player of the Year for the state of West Virginia.
“Winning Player of the Year for West Virginia was awesome. It was a goal I had this year because it is my first year eligible for it since I’ve regained my Amateur status back,” Jude said.
“The WVGA holds around 7-10 events each year, offering the finishers of each event points. So the higher the finish, the higher the points. Three of the events count for quite a bit more points than the others, and I finished well in the biggest tournaments this year,” said Jude from his insurance office in Kermit.
The West Virginia Golf Association presented Jude with the award at a dinner Nov. 11 at Berry Hills Country Club in Charleston.
Jude had several family members at the event.
“My fiancé, my son, sister, mom, grandmother and fiance’s parents were in attendance. I was glad to have them alongside me for this award,” Jude said. “It means a lot having the support of all of them.”
Jude tried his hand on the pro golf tour but is now back as an amateur so he can spend more time with his business ventures and family.
“I currently own Southern Valley Insurance in Kermit, and in the past few weeks, I am now the owner of Giovanni’s in Kermit,” Jude added. “So life has been hectic as of late. Golf, since my dad passed away in 2019, has become my hobby. I regained amateur eligibility in July 2021, so I had a two-year break from 2019 to 2021, where I couldn’t compete. The USGA has a waiting period for pros to come back to the amateur side of the sport.
“Golf isn’t my job anymore like in previous years. So I plan to play in most WVGA events throughout my life and some bigger amateur events across the United States when I qualify or am an invitee. I just hope to stay competitive and hope to teach my son Sutton the game and watch him grow and love the game like I do.”