Fall 2017
Fall 2017 Vol. 19 Issue 4 Keswick Hall
The Golf Guide, Inc. 46
206 Morlyn Drive
Stephenson, VA 22656 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opening Shot
540-431-5034
www.golfguideinc.com COVER STORY
[email protected] 4 . . . . . Fox Hollow Training Center
Publisher 8 . . . Golf Destination: Western Nebraska
Nick Ciattei 11F����������������������������������������Feature Courses
Designer – Magazine & Web Site 29P��������������������������������PGA Tour Schedules
Cheryl Brown, Site Schemes 31F����������������� Feature Course Regional Map
siteschemes.com 32A������������������� Additional Regional Courses
Staff Writers 34M���������������������������������������Meadows Farms
Mike Ahrnsbrak, PGA 36M���������������������� Mid-Atlantic Tournaments
Diana Barge 38W�����������������������������������������Whiskey Creek
Wes Bolyard 40O��������������������������������������� Out Of The Bag
JoAnne Fernandez 42N�������������������������������������������New Products
David Johns, PGA Professional 44G����������������������������������� Golden Horseshoe
46G�������������� Golf Destination: Keswick Hall
facebook.com/golfgetaway 48A����������������� Accommodations & Packages
twitter: @golfguideinc 54S��������������������������������������Shanks & 3-Putts
55G�����������������������������������������Golf Discounts
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Opening Shot
The Numbers Game
As the 2017 golf season winds down, how
many of you take stock in your game? Do
you sit back and figure out how much golf
you have played and how well you did? I
have an older brother who still to this day
keeps statistics on every round he plays. He
has always been a very good player, and I
guess he uses those vitals to see where he
can improve his game or just compare one
year to another. Many moons ago, I decided
to refocus my game. It wasn’t on how I could get better or stay competitive at
my advancing age. Rather, I decided I was going to try to play as many different
courses as possible as opposed to playing more golf. I looked at that as something
I could probably do well, considering my position in the golf business. I have very
limited time with my work and family responsibilities, so I might as well make it
interesting and play a bunch of tracts that I have never played before.
To date, my travels have allowed me to play nearly
350 golf courses. My realistic goal is to conquer 500
layouts while I can still play. If you do the math, I have
been lucky enough to tee it up on over 6,000 different
golf holes including 1,700 par 5s, 1,800 par 3s, 3 par 6s
and 2,497 par 4s! The longest hole I’ve played paces off
at 841 yards at Meadows Farms right in our backyard
(see page 34), while the shortest hole on a regulation
course, the seventh hole at the Donald Ross designed East Course at Pocono Manor,
measures just 77 yards. The aggregate par on these holes would be somewhere
around 25,000, and the yardage of all the holes combined caps off at nearly
2,200,000 yards. I’ve had to negotiate over 12,000 sand traps and 1,500 water hazards
on these courses. Based upon my handicap, I figure I have played those holes close
to 4,000 strokes over par, but I think I have a birdie run left it me! I have made
only one hole-in-one, maybe a dozen eagles and the rarest of accomplishments, an
albatross (double eagle on a par 5). My highest recorded tournament score on one
hole ended up at 14, and you should have seen the six-footer I sweated over to stay
away from a 15. If my average distance from the hole on a green was, let’s say 20
feet, the total distance would be 120,000 feet, and it most likely took me more than
10,000 putts. Some other quirky numbers from my golf history cover teeing it up in
25 states and six countries. More than 30 of the courses I’ve played have closed and
have become either shopping centers or real estate developments. My ball has flown
more than 6,000 feet at its highest elevation on several courses, while I commonly
go into battle at sea level.
I donʼt think that numbers truly matter. To me the people I’ve been fortunate
enough to have played with from sports superstars and television actors to total
strangers that just share the common bond of golf really matter. Those times canʼt
be replaced, just like the rounds I’ve played with my family and friends.
2 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
FALL 2017 3
Cover Story
Fox Hollow Training Center
The Hits Just Keep on Coming
Nick Ciattei
Over the years The Golf Guide has taken readers across countless fairways in the
region. We have found so many terrific courses, BUT only a couple of excellent
practice facilities exist, and Fox Hollow Training Center ranks near the top of that
list. Operated by Baltimore County Golf and located in the middle of Fox Hollow
Golf Course in Timonium, MD, they are completing their seventh year. The quite
extensive project required several holes on the back nine to be completely redone to
accommodate the size of the golf range.
Fox Hollow Training Center (FHTC)
presents the perfect setting for players of
all ages and skill levels to work on their
game. The range itself has over sixty
hitting stations, twenty of which are
covered so you can still practice during
bad weather. Targets are properly placed,
and each station shows actual distances
hit in a grid. Knowing the yardages of
your clubs greatly influences improving
your game and scoring better, and you can really cultivate that aspect of the game
here. At FHTC, they also have three putting greens, a chipping and pitching green,
and practice bunkers to help your short game.
Have you ever gone to a range and were handed a
bucket or bag of balls that have no dimples and look
five years old? That doesn’t happen at FHTC because
they bring in brand new balls each season. They take
pride in providing the best value in the region in the
quality of their practice facility and quantity of golf
balls per dollar. They offer range card memberships
for practice warriors to get the biggest bang for the buck. The driving range and
short game areas are all well lit. The driving range features “up lighting” that allow
golfers to better view their ball flight during evening practice.
4 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Cover Story
As with any type of practice facility, Fox Hollow
places emphasis on getting young ones to play. Their Junior
Golf Academy offers golf camps each year, and in 2017 they saw the
most participants in any one season. The fast-growing Drive, Chip and Putt
Championship (partnered by The Masters, The PGA and USGA) for junior golfers
age 7-15 has held their regional qualifier at Fox Hollow Training Center the past
two years. FHTC hosts many networking groups and clinics to introduce the local
business community to golf and each other. This terrific idea gets the staff together
for some brainstorming and fun, plus bags a day away from the office.
If you are in the market to upgrade the
sticks currently in your bag, test drive
some new clubs at one of Fox Hollow
demo days, which are big hits during
golf season. Master Club Fitter Dick
Severino performs premium custom club
fitting service. “Seve” uses FlightScope
technology to insure that you get the
proper clubs for your swing. It comes as
no surprise that for the last five years
running Fox Hollow Training Center has
been named a Top 50 Public Driving Range by the GRAA (Golf Range Association
of America), and I do not see this significant achievement ending soon!
The Fox Hollow Golf Course along with four other outstanding courses complete
the Baltimore County Golf contingent. I’ve always thought that all five courses
have unique characteristics and provide a variety of golfing experiences. I include
Fox Hollow as one of the courses that I grew up on with its central location in the
county. The former “Longview Golf Course” always stood out for its large water
tower at the entrance and for the fact that some of the course was built on top of
a landfill. Some 40 years later and after several redesigns, this popular course has
forgiving fairways, and its overall yardage plays perfectly for any caliber of player.
FALL 2017 Fox Hollow Hole 18 Par 4
5
Cover Story
Another of the 40 year plus clubs, Diamond
Ridge is located on the west side of the
county in Windsor Mill. This par 71 course
was designed by the legendary Ed Ault,
whose creations can be found all over the
northeast. The front and back nines are
distinctly different. The front nine’s open
nature contrasts the back nine’s tighter
Diamond Ridge / style outlined by mature trees. In 1998, the
The Woodlands Clubhouse
county added another course adjacent to
Diamond Ridge. The Woodlands was quickly recognized as one of the best courses
in the Baltimore region and takes golfers on a scenic journey through a world
of tall, hardwood trees that guard lush
bentgrass fairways and large, undulating
greens. Dramatic elevation changes and
water features along with other challenges
lay in wait on this Lindsay Ervin creation.
The Woodlands and Diamond Ridge share the
clubhouse making it ideal for golf events of
any size, and with their combined 36 holes,
provide endless setups.
The Woodlands Hole 2 Par 3
Rocky Point Hole 11 Par 3 The only waterfront course on the western
shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Rocky Point
Golf Course is situated in Essex. Since 1971,
this fair test of golf has delighted players
with an array of exciting holes and some
of the prettiest views you will find on ANY
course. The course plays longer than the
6650 on the scorecard because you are
basically at sea level. Bring a good flat stick
because the huge greens will test everyone’s
putting skills.
The north end of Baltimore County features
a course originally designed to be a private
club. Greystone Golf Course offers public
golf about as good as it can get. Designed by
“Gentleman” Joe Lee, Greystone presents a
true masterpiece in layout, challenge, and
Greystone Hole 3 Par 3 entertainment. A welcome mix of five par
5s and five par 3s provide plenty of scoring
opportunities. With 140 feet of elevation changes, seven ponds, and more than 80
bunkers, this course will test your game and senses all at the same time. Bentgrass
from tee to green, Greystone boasts being one of the Free State’s best.
All of these courses share one common characteristic. No housing impedes play,
and they are placed in relatively peaceful settings. From one end of the county to
the other, Baltimore County Golf offers everything a golfer could want to enjoy this
wonderful game we call golf.
For more information visit baltimoregolfing.com
6 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
FALL 2017 7
Golf Destination
Golf Along the Oregon Trail
in Western Nebraska
Wes Bolyard
The plains begin their upward march to the foothills of the Rockies from the great
Midwest. As you move westward from central Nebraska, following parts of the
Oregon Trail, pleasant towns welcome visitors with an array of golfer friendly
courses along with stirring scenery.
Take a road trip to Ogallala, Nebraska,
from the Denver International Airport
along I-76 and I-80 to find the 18-hole
West Wind Golf Club, the first stop
of this exciting golf journey. The front
nine, built in 1936, has very mature
cottonwood trees, while the back nine,
opened in 1997, has more of a links feel
with the fairways being lined with wispy
grasses. Both nines have very nice wide
West Wind
fairways, but trees on the front create
some doglegs to negotiate. The greens have interesting undulations and play pretty
fast, making for stimulating putting. Bunkers on both sides of the green protect the
green on the par 3 third hole. The fairway on the sixteenth hole looks SO wide that
you want to try to hit your Monster Mash Drive. By the way, the hotdog at West
Wind was voted the best in Nebraska.
After playing golf, stay overnight at the Stagecoach Inn in Ogallala and enjoy a
juicy steak at the Golden Spur Steakhouse and Saloon right next door.
Just about 10 miles west of Brule
near Lake McConaughy discover the
Bayside Golf Club with two very
different nines. While the front does
not play particularly long, accuracy is
rewarded with short irons to the greens.
The short seventh hole is a drivable
par 4, but watch out for the bunker
guarding the opening to the green.
The back nine’s challenges include
Bayside
considerable elevation change and lots
of doglegs to surmount. Golfweek ranks this links style course as the number five
Nebraska Best Public Access course, and great meals are served in the evening at
the clubhouse.
So far this trip has been about parts of the Oregon Trail, but signs make this more
evident from this point forward. Heading northwest on State Route 26, Chimney
Rock looms prominently. As you approach Gering and Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff
National Monument can be seen with stunning landmarks on display!
8 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Golf Destination
As I drove into Gering, I felt I had been transported back to my youth growing up
in Independence, Missouri, where the Oregon Trail started. It was a peaceful feeling
driving along the nice, quiet tree-lined streets. A comfortable overnight stay is right
off M Street (on the old Oregon Trail) at Monument Inn and Suites. This quiet
and convenient location offers very comfortable rooms, complimentary breakfast,
other fine amenities, and an extremely friendly staff.
The Monument Shadows Golf Monument Shadows
Course in Gering lies in the shadow of
Scotts Bluff National Monument. This
fun layout presents great greens, very
forgiving fairways, and some water with
enough trees defining the doglegs to
make you think. A 3,600-foot elevation
will help the ball travel a little further,
and did I mention great scenery? On
the sixth hole you encounter a unique
feature, the viewing tower, that allows
you to check for fairway clearance of the
group ahead. You will want to play this
course several times.
In Scottsbluff, Riverview Golf &
Country Club is spread out over 160
acres and the seventh tee sits only about
20 yards from the North Platte River.
This course is defined by moderately
wide forgiving fairways that are
mainly lined with tall mature pine and
cottonwood trees and some water. Being
relatively level doesn’t mean it is easy.
Smallish greens require accurate irons.
Riverview
Riverview has the distinction of being
Nebraska's only floating driving range. The two courses, Monument Shadows and
Riverview, lie only about 10 minutes apart.
A couple of dining options are offered in Scottsbluff you will want to visit.
Emporium offers affordable, authentic dining and Great Nebraska beef! Rosita’s
on East Overland serves Mexican cuisine, with a full menu and seating at the bar.
Most of these courses are relatively inexpensive, but when you hear about the next
two, you won’t believe it. By no means mediocre, you’ll enjoy good quality courses
that are fun and challenging to play. The very scenic drive from Gering to Kimball,
about 45 minutes, passes through the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area with
sandstone bluffs and numerous pine trees blending into a wide
open prairie. A preserve was created here for bison and elk.
In Kimball, almost adjacent to I-80, resides the Four Winds Golf
Course. This course has the highest set of tees in the state at
approximately 5,000 feet in elevation with 5,000 trees to work
around. The course is defined by tree lined fairways, rolling terrain,
FALL 2017 9
Golf Destination
Four Winds greens small to medium in size (and
fast), and a great variety of holes not
long overall and with very few bunkers.
This course offers the deal of the year –
you can play all day for one low green
fee of $30 if you walk (a cart fee applies
to each 18 holes). Take a break between
or after your rounds across the parking
lot at Wind Break Bar and Grill, the
most popular restaurant in the area that
is open for lunch and supper.
East of Kimball, along I-80 in Sidney,
the picturesque Hillside Golf Course
wraps around the scenic canyon area of
Lodgepole Valley. The excitement starts
with the opening hole, a downhill par
4, and continues through number 18, an
uphill curving par 5 with a fairway that
slopes left to right. Eight of the holes
follow valleys set between high rocky
bluffs. Elevation changes will make you Hillside
think hard about club selection making
it a challenging, yet fun round. They offer an all-day rate of $46 for 18 holes. If
you want to play more, however, just pay a cart fee for each additional 18. A large
banquet hall accommodates après-golf parties. Stay overnight at the Country Inn
and Suites and dine close by at the Buffalo Point Steakhouse & Grill. You’ll find
both a little more than a mile from the golf course.
Western Nebraska offers some of the greatest bargains in golf! The Golf Trail
includes 4 courses: Monument Shadows, Riverview, Four Winds, and Hillside. To
schedule your trail golf call 844-202-4653 or visit their website.
Chimney Rock For more information visit visitnebraska.com
10 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Front Royal, VA
Designer: Tom Clark
General Manager: Brian Jones
#4 Best Courses you can play in Virginia — Golfweek
#32 America’s Top 50 Women–Friendly — Golf Digest Woman
#14 Best New Courses in America — Golfweek
#6 Best New Affordable Public Courses — Golf Digest
Come experience Virginia’s most beautiful golf in
the Shenandoah Valley. This 18-hole par 72 features
bentgrass tees, fairways, and greens. Seven sets of tees
(including two PGA Family Tees) provide a challenging,
yet pleasurable, golf experience for players of all skill
levels. Measuring just over 7300 yards from the tips, the
layout consists of two very distinct 9-hole sides. The front
features several holes cut through hardwoods, while the
back nine plays in a valley. Blue Ridge Shadows continues
to rank among America’s Top 50 Women-Friendly courses
in the United States by Golf Digest Woman Magazine!
Surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the
resort features a full-service Holiday Inn Hotel and Spa.
You can find the facility just one hour from the Washington
beltway via I-66, exit 6.
866-631-9661
blueridgeshadows.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7315 72 75.5 143
BLUE 6787 72 73.1 138
WHITE 6204 72 70.4 130
GOLD 5551 72 68.2 122
RED 5006 72 70.0 120
Front Royal, VA
Designer: Lynwood Morrison
General Manager: Adam Engley
“Best of Shenandoah Valley” —Northern Virginia Daily 2016
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Nestled in the northern neck of the Shenandoah Valley
against the backdrop of the striking Blue Ridge Mountains
lies the picturesque Bowling Green Country Club. For
more than 30 years, both the North and South courses
have offered golfer-friendly designs with gently rolling
terrain, finely manicured conditions, and smooth bentgrass
putting surfaces. The North course features several lakes,
towering willows, and even an island green. The South
course offers a shorter course than today’s standard. While
favored among seniors and ladies, this course has plenty
of character golf for players of all abilities with its rolling
fairways and large, undulating greens. Bowling Green
North and South, managed by Wingfield Golf Properties,
are located near Winchester and Front Royal via Route
522. “Where the Skyline is Only a Short Drive Away”
North: 540-635-2024
South: 540-635-2883
bowlinggreencountryclub.net
North Course South Course
YARDAGE RATING SLOPE YARDAGE RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6364 70.4 129 5938 68.3 119
WHITE 6098 69.2 126 5504 66.2 126
GOLD 5570 66.6 120 5140 64.5 112
RED 5075 68.9 121 4893 67.9 114
facebook . com /golfgetaway 11
Feature Courses
Basye, VA
Designer: Ed Ault
Head Professional: Seth Van Hall
“Top Must Play Courses” — GolfStyles
Rated HHH1/2 — Golf Digest
Although quietly tucked away in the mountains of the
Shenandoah Valley, Bryce Resort proudly showcases
a beautiful Ed Ault designed 18-hole championship golf
course. The golf course, though relatively flat, offers lush
scenery and views. With several tree-lined holes and
fairway bunkering, Bryce Resort d an excellent test of
players’ abilities to keep balls in play. With 48 strategically
placed bunkers and Stony Creek winding throughout, Bryce
Resort presents all the challenges of mountain golf at its
best. Bryce Resort has a broad menu of activities besides
golf, including Zipline Adventure, Lake Laura Beach,
and Boat Rentals. In the winter months they offer skiing,
snowboarding, and snow tubing. Located in Basye, VA, 11
miles west of Interstate 81 at Exit 273, Bryce Resort’s four
season resort delivers great golf value and should be a
definite stop on your next swing through the Shenandoah
Valley of Virginia.
540-856-2124
bryceresort.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6260 71 69.7 127
WHITE 6027 71 68.9 123
GOLD 5297 71 65.3 116
RED 5175 71 69.9 118
Berkeley Springs, WV
Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
Club Manager: Tom Boyles
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Rated HHH1/2 —Golf Digest
#1 Municipal Golf Course in West Virginia —Golf Digest
One of the mid-Atlantic’s most popular golf destinations
each year is the scenic Cacapon Resort State Park. This
challenging championship golf venue sits in the rolling
foothills of the 2,300 foot Cacapon Mountain and is the
centerpiece of the 6,000 acre park near Berkeley Springs,
West Virginia. Designed by famous golf course Designer
Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the layout makes prime use of
the rolling hills at the base of the ridge. Rated as one of
the 130 best designed courses in the United States, this
outstanding facility features 73 well placed sand bunkers
and three ponds. Holes 4 and 8 share a double green
that stretches more than 100 yards wide. USA Today put
Cacapon on its list of the “Top 100 Golf Courses” in the
country. The resort is located 30 minutes from I-81 on
Route 522, just two hours from Baltimore and Washington,
DC.
304-258-1022
cacaponresort.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6827 72 72.3 126
WHITE 6267 72 70.4 123
YELLOW 5910 72 68.0 119
RED 5647 72 70.6 118
12 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Fairfield, PA
Designer: Ault, Clark & Assoc.
Assistant Director of Golf: Gavin Green
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
Carroll Valley Golf Course is pleased to be starting its
sixth season under the ownership of the adjacent Liberty
Mountain Resort. Set amidst picturesque rolling hills,
surrounded by the inspiring Catoctin Mountains, Carroll
Valley presents 18 holes of Pennsylvania’s best golf.
Many upgrades have been made to the course including
state-of-the-art irrigation and drainage systems, rebuilt tee
boxes, and new bunkers. The Highland Lodge will make
your golf stay much more enjoyable with a list of modern
amenities including restaurants, an expanded pro shop,
and indoor golf simulators. Guests continue to enjoy the
stellar championship course and friendly faces they have
enjoyed over the years. This mature layout designed by
renowned architects Ault and Clark winds its way around
streams, lakes, hills, and native trees. Carroll Valley Golf
Course at Liberty Mountain Resort also offers special “Stay
and Play” golf packages.
800-548-8504
libertymountainresort.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6688 71 72.3 128
WHITE 6345 71 70.7 127
GOLD 5647 71 66.7 123
RED 5022 72 68.8 116
facebook . com /golfgetaway Luray, VA
Architect: Malcolm M. Purdy
Club Manager: Putt Lancaster
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Enjoy outstanding golf in the breathtakingly beautiful
Shenandoah Valley at Caverns Country Club Resort.
Nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains and
overlooking the fabled Shenandoah River, this unique
setting creates one of the most scenic golf opportunities in
the mid-Atlantic region. High above the banks of the river,
6499 yards of gently rolling fairways seem to touch the
mountaintops while flaunting beautiful farmland vistas. Call
(540) 743-7111 for daily tee times and greens fees. Golfers
from Canada and points north have found Caverns Country
Club in Luray, Virginia, an ideal place for golf excursions
with seasonal specials and vacation packages for golfers
and non-golfers alike. Packages include special rates for
lodging, golfing, and dining. If you are a fan of golf with a
view, you cannot go wrong with a pleasant drive to one of
the finest mountain courses in the mid-Atlantic.
888-443-6551
cavernscountryclub.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6499 72 71.2 117
WHITE 6307 72 69.8 115
GOLD 5650 72 67.0 127
RED 5266 72 72.4 120
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Feature Courses
Frederick, MD
Architect: Ault, Clark & Associates
Head Professional: Scott A. Peterson
“#9 in Maryland” —Golf Advisor 2016
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
Clustered Spires Golf Club, located just outside of historic
Frederick, MD, offers golfers everything they need for an
enjoyable day on the course. Built by the city in 1991, this
was Frederick County’s first public golf course. This gem
has been constantly voted as the favorite golf course in
Frederick. Clustered Spires is laid out upon 200 acres
of rolling farmland adjacent to the Monocacy River. The
excellent conditions of the bentgrass greens and plush
rolling fairways provide a venue for golfers of all skill
levels. Clustered Spires received its unique name from
the grouping of five very old, distinct church steeples that
make up the clustered spires of Frederick City’s skyline.
The respected design team of Ault, Clark and Associates
created a fun and challenging competitive course. You can
find one of the best golf values in central Maryland just
minutes from I-70 and a short drive from both Baltimore
and Washington, DC. Clustered Spires Golf Club delivers a
solid golfing experience you will enjoy from start to finish.
301-600-1295
clusteredspiresgolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
CHAMP 6913 72 72.7 130
WHITE 6203 72 69.6 123
GREEN 5401 72 67.0 118
RED 5230 72 69.7 119
Windsor Mill, MD
Designer: Ed Ault
Head Professional: Tim Butler
A long time favorite in the Baltimore County region for many
years has been Diamond Ridge Golf Course. Lush fairways
and rolling terrain best characterize Diamond Ridge, which
shares a clubhouse and state-of-the-art practice facility
with The Woodlands. The classic Ed Ault design opened
in 1968 and has stood the test of time with outstanding
conditions and challenge. The large and undulating greens
provide an inviting target and will test everyone’s putting
game. The front and back nines are distinctly different.
The former’s open nature has a links feel, while the latter’s
tighter makeup is outlined by mature trees. Both nines
have numerous fairway and greenside bunkers to keep
you honest. Diamond Ridge Golf Course is located just
minutes from Exit 17 off of the Baltimore Beltway and is
easily accessible off I-70 at the Rt. 29 exit. When it comes
to Baltimore Golf, no course cuts it like the Diamond!
410-887-1349
baltimoregolfing.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6613 71 71.5 125
WHITE 6313 71 70.1 122
GOLD 5698 73 67.6 111
RED 5431 73 71.1 130
14 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Timonium, MD
Designers: Ed Ault, Bill Love
Head Professional: Chris Hanson
Conveniently located in the heart of the I-83 corridor in
Timonium, Fox Hollow, formerly Longview Golf Course,
offers golfers a fun and challenging layout. This long-time
Baltimore County staple completed a $3.4 million facelift
not long ago. The original front nine was designed by Ed
Ault, with the “new” back nine redesigned by Bill Love.
The recent makeover added in six new holes as well as
renovated the entire back nine fairways, greens, and
bunker. The Fox Hollow Training center provides 60
practice stations with covered and heated tees and a
300-yard driving range with putting and chipping under the
lights. Fox Hollow’s driving range has been named one of
the Top 50 Public Practice Facilities in the United States by
Golf Range Magazine. For quality golf at great a price with
terrific customer service, make sure to visit Fox Hollow Golf
Course. Schedule your next tee time today! Fox Hollow is
located just minutes from the Baltimore Beltway two miles
off the Padonia Road/Exit 17 of I-83.
410-887-7735
baltimoregolfing.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6129 70 69.6 124
WHITE 5797 70 68.0 123
GOLD 5467 71 66.1 117
RED 5180 71 69.1 115
facebook . com /golfgetaway Front Royal, VA
Designer: William Carson
Managed by: County of Warren
“One of the state’s premier nine hole layouts” —Virginia Golfer
One of Virginia’s oldest, continuously operating golf
courses continues to be one of the best golf values in all of
the Shenandoah Valley. Under the operation, direction, and
management of Warren County, Front Royal Golf Club’s
1938 nine-hole layout features dual tee boxes to create a
true 18-hole feel. Front Royal has the old Scottish links-
style feel that requires accuracy not length. Challenges
come from small undulating greens and deep bunkering.
Four holes border the Shenandoah River, more than any
course in Virginia, with none more dramatic than the par 5
seventeenth hole that features a tee shot along the river’s
edge. Front Royal Golf Club brings back the 4-hour round
of golf. It’s a fun and excellent test of golf you will surely
enjoy. The first Certified USFGA FootGolf Course in the
Shenandoah Valley, Front Royal Golf Club offers a par 32
course as part of the United States FootGolf Association.
You can find it conveniently located just off I-66 at Exit
6 on Country Club Road in the beautiful and historic
Shenandoah Valley.
540-636-9061
frontroyalgolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BACK 5870 70 69.4 116
FRONT 4688 70 67.3 119
15
Feature Courses
Fredericksburg, VA
Designer: P.B. Dye
General Manager: Mike Byrd
Discover The Gauntlet, one of Virginia’s finest golf courses
in Fredericksburg. Opened in 1995, their par 72, 6900-
yard, P.B. Dye championship layout features lush zoysia
fairways and smooth, consistent bentgrass greens. Set
around the lake of Curtis Memorial Park in Fredericksburg,
The Gauntlet made its mark by being named one of Golf
Digest’s Top 10 New Courses to Play in the US. The
Gauntlet Golf Club aims to please the most demanding
players with four set of tees. The front nine is interspersed
with meandering wetlands, while the back nine features
generous tiered greens. The Gauntlet Golf Club offers an
outstanding practice facility with staff available for lessons,
and their clubhouse has a full-service bar and grill and
fully-stocked golf shop. Perfect for your next golf outing,
banquet, wedding, or special event, it is located minutes
from I-95 just off Rt. 17 in Fredericksburg.
540-752-0963
golfgauntlet.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
DYE 6723 72 72.8 140
BLACK 6161 72 70.2 134
WHITE 5807 72 68.6 130
RED 4819 72 64.2 119
Whitehall, MD
Designer: Joe Lee
Head Professional: Bob Mokros
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#7 in Maryland” —Golfweek 2011
Greystone Golf Course serves as the cornerstone of
Baltimore County Golf. Joe Lee, architect of Doral Resort’s
famed Blue Monster and the courses at Walt Disney World,
designed a true masterpiece in layout, challenge, and
entertainment here. Greystone’s championship course
includes 140 feet of elevation changes and features seven
ponds and more than 80 bunkers. The tall hardwood
trees, wetlands, and native vegetation add an abundance
of character to the design. Lush bentgrass from tee to
green provides an award-winning playing field that has
been lauded as one of the best in Maryland. All calibers
of players can enjoy in the Greystone experience with five
sets of tees along with a new Family Tee. Also, a great
food and beverage operation serves great fare before or
after rounds. Greystone Golf Course, the jewel of Baltimore
County Golf, is located just minutes from I-83 at the
Middletown Road Exit 31.
410-887-1945
baltimoregolfing.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
GREY 6968 72 73.9 141
BLACK 6600 72 72.5 139
WHITE 6161 72 70.5 136
GREEN 5500 72 67.4 129
RED 4800 74 67.5 112
16 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Harrisonburg, VA
Designer: Bill Love
Head Professional: David Johns
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“Best in the Valley” - Daily News Record 2016
“Best of Virginia” - Virginia Living The Sporting Life 2016
Heritage Oaks, a beautiful public course, is located in and
operated by the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Designed
by Bill Love, this course combines links- and parkland-
style holes that meander along a diverse piece of property,
giving golfers a challenging yet fair test of golf. Towering
oaks, hence the name, are found in abundance. Voted
“Best In The Valley” five out of the past six years, Heritage
Oaks plays to a par 70, measuring 6324 yards from the
back tees, providing plenty for accomplished golfers. Three
other spacious sets of tees make the facility an excellent
layout for golfers of all skills. Heritage Oaks incorporates
many modern day golf course features like generous
landing areas and large bentgrass greens with moderate
undulations. Heritage Oaks also provides a home to The
First Tee Program. A great day of golf awaits everyone at
Heritage Oaks, just off Route 33 West on Garbers Church
Road, Exit 247B, I-81.
540-442-6502
heritageoaksgolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
GOLD (Back) 6324 70 70.2 129
BLACK (Middle) 5891 70 68.5 124
WHITE (Senior) 5298 70 66.1 118
GREEN (Ladies) 4542 70 66.6 114
Harrisonburg, VA
Designers: Russ Roberts, Buddy Loving,
Ault, Clark & Assoc., Lester George
Head Professional: Dean Greer
Rated HHH1/2 —Golf Digest
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Outstanding golf awaits you at Lakeview Golf Club in
exciting Harrisonburg, VA. Lakeview offers 27 unforgettable
holes over three unique nines that complement one
another terrifically and give golfers the chance to get in an
extra nine. The Mountain Nine features some of the most
challenging holes Lakeview has to offer. The Lake Nine at
Lakeview Golf Club is appropriately named with more water
hazards, while The Forest Nine is dominated by tree-lined
fairways. Subtle undulating greens and a well-maintained
landscape are trademark features of Lakeview Golf Club.
The service-friendly atmosphere and professional staff
foster enjoyment of the game of golf at any level here.
Lakeview plays host to some of the area’s top golf events
and has an outstanding practice facility. Let them host your
next golf event! Come see one of the best the Shenandoah
Valley has to offer at Lakeview Golf Club located just off
I-81, exits 245 and 247.
540-434-8937
lakeviewgolf.net
MOUNTAIN LAKE FOREST
BLUE 3579 3190 3277
WHITE 3341 3030 3119
GOLD 3056 2850 2814
RED 2686 2805 2776
GREEN 2421 2319 2392
twitter : @golfguideinc 17
Feature Courses
Fredericksburg, VA
Designer: Bill Love
PGA General Manager: Jamie Loughan
“#11 in Virginia” —Golf Advisor 2016
Located in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, approximately
one hour south of Washington, DC, Lee's Hill Golf Club
helped to pioneer upscale golf in the region. From its
celebrated opening in 1993 to present day, the course has
always attracted excellent reviews and was immediately
listed in the top ten in Northern Virginia. The Bill Love
designed championship course winds throughout authentic
civil war battle trenches and the actual 1862 campsite of
General Robert E. Lee and his troops. In 2007, new local
owners purchased Lee's Hill, with renovations and rebirth
you don’t want to miss. If you have not played this beautiful
layout in awhile, you need to see the revitalization and
improvements yourself. The new team has committed itself
to providing excellent conditions and is always recognized
for their outstanding customer service. Located 3 miles
from I-95, Exit 126, just off Route 17 South, Lee's Hill Golf
Club truly gives golfers the best of past and present.
540-891-0111
leeshillgc.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
CANNON 6572 72 72.4 135
RIFLE 6113 72 70.3 129
SABER 5778 72 68.8 125
PISTOL 4935 72 70.1 122
Gettysburg, PA
Designer: Lindsay Ervin
Head Professional: Jason Pandoli
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#9 in PA, America’s Best Golf Courses” —Golfweek 2006
Rated HHHH1/2 —Golf Digest
Set among the rolling hills and mountains of Adams County,
The Links At Gettysburg is situated near the area’s most
historic countryside. Prepare for sensory overload when
you battle this challenging layout. The magnificent upscale
championship course features steep 35’ rock cliffs, stone-
lined tee boxes and bridges, ten lakes, and waterfalls,
offering a great round of golf for all levels of ability. The
beautiful clubhouses accommodate up to 200 guests; a
triple-tier brick patio overlooking the 11th, 12th, and 18th
greens accommodates 300. Visit today on Mason-Dixon
Road, minutes from Route 15 and less than an hour away
from Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; and Harrisburg, PA.
Experience the beauty and unique challenge of The Links
At Gettysburg.
717-359-8000
thelinksatgettysburg.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
GOLD 7069 72 74.1 144
BLUE 6666 72 72.4 141
WHITE 6277 72 70.5 130
GREEN 5802 72 67.7 128
RED 4977 72 68.8 120
18 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Charles Town, WV
Owner: Wayne Clark
Head Professional: Jason Robinson
Superintendent: Chris Fauble
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
Locust Hill Golf Course in Charles Town claims fame
as one of the top courses in the state of West Virginia.
Locust Hill maintains championship golf conditions with
outstanding bentgrass tees and greens. Playing at just
over 7000 yards from the tips, this facility provides plenty
of challenge. Lakes, ponds, and streams bring 35 acres of
water into play on ten holes. The finishing four holes are
as good as you’ll find anywhere, wrapping up with the 455-
yard, par 4 eighteenth that features a dramatic approach
shot over a large lake. Golf Digest awarded Locust Hill
one of the “Top 125 in Country for Best Value.” The course
handles corporate and charity golf outings. With the
excitement of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races,
the area has plenty to offer. Golf, Racing, and Gaming
make for the perfect sporting getaway. Locust Hill is located
west of Charles Town off Route 51, a little more than a
beautiful hour’s drive from the Baltimore and Washington
beltways.
304-728-7300
locusthillgolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7005 72 73.5 128
WHITE 6394 72 70.7 122
GREY 5772 72 67.9 117
RED 5112 72 72.0 120
facebook . com /golfgetaway Middletown, MD
Designer: Arthur Hills
Head Professional: Steve Miller
“#3 in Maryland” —Golf Advisor 2016
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“Rolex Top 1,000 Courses” —2011
“#10 in MD, Best Public Golf Courses” —Golf Magazine 2012
Recipient of national attention, Maryland National, in
Middletown, MD, holds acclaim for its tremendous layout
with impeccable turf conditions. To add to the beauty of the
course, a well-trained and very hospitable staff makes the
golfer feel warmly welcomed from the moment they arrive.
Nestled in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains of Frederick,
Maryland National offers majestic views of the surrounding
countryside. This par 71, 6811-yard masterpiece includes
open links-style holes, wetland carries, and wooded tree
lined fairways that will surely keep your interest at every
turn. Additional amenities include a spectacular clubhouse
with restaurant, on-board GPS, and complimentary practice
use facility. Maryland National, located just off I-70, 45
minutes from DC and Baltimore, is a must play for your
next rewarding day of golf.
301-371-0000
marylandnational.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 6811 71 73.6 139
GOLD 6474 71 72.0 136
WHITE 6069 71 70.0 131
GREEN 5549 71 67.4 124
RED 4844 71 68.3 120
19
Feature Courses
Locust Grove, VA
Designer: Bill Ward, Jr.
General Manager: Josh Dotson
“#3 in Virginia” —Golf Advisor 2015
Bill “Farmer” Meadows’ dream, Meadows Farms Golf
Course, has become one of the most unique courses
in all of America. Located in Locust Grove, VA, this
27-hole layout features several golf holes that can only
be described as one-of-a-kind. From the 841-yard par 6
recognized in The Guinness Book of Records as “The
Longest Hole in the United States” to the baseball and
waterfall holes, Meadows Farms combines fun and great
value. Bill Meadows’ talent for unique landscaping can also
be seen throughout the course. A pre-civil war homestead
and cemetery on the very ground where civil war battles
were fought can also be found here. A fabulous clubhouse
overlooking the course features the Red Bull Grill. Situated
on beautiful gently rolling countryside, Meadows Farms is
located 75 minutes from Washington, D.C., and Richmond,
45 minutes from Charlottesville, and only 15 minutes from
Fredericksburg.
540-854-9890
meadowsfarmsgolfcourse.com
Island/Longest Island/Waterfall Longest/Waterfall
YARDAGE SLOPE YARDAGE SLOPE YARDAGE SLOPE
BLUE 7014 138 6067 124 6824 135
WHITE 6323 129 5475 117 6280 128
GOLD 5478 111 4842 107 5560 113
RED 4607 114 4078 106 4425 112
Fairfield, PA
Designer: Ault, Clark & Assoc.
Head Professional: Ed Reely
#1 in Pennsylvania for Value —Golf Advisor 2016
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
Mountain View Golf Club in Fairfield, PA, features a Pre-
Civil War clubhouse, picturesque views of the Catoctin
Mountains, a large natural grass practice facility, and 18
well-manicured holes. Golfers will find a fair, challenging,
and gratifying course with two distinctly different 9-hole
tracts. The front nine is considered more open compared
to the longer, tree-lined back nine. With a four star rating
by Golf Digest, Mountain View features a full grass practice
range, short game area, and putting green. Mountain
View can be distinguished from other golf clubs not only
by its exceptional playability and great condition but
also by its great value. After your round, reminisce while
enjoying a bite and cold beverage in the Grill–Pavilion with
picturesque views of the 9th, 10th, and 18th holes. This
must play course is located just minutes from the historic
Gettysburg battlefields. Come play this hidden treasure
where you’ll frequently find the smoothest and quickest
greens in the area.
717-641-7380
mtviewgc.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6608 71 71.2 128
WHITE 6230 71 69.4 125
GOLD 5945 71 66.3 116
RED 5193 70 68.4 118
20 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Myersville, MD
Designer: Joe Lee
Head Professional: David Freiss
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#6 in MD, America’s Best Golf Courses” —Golfweek 2016
Musket Ridge Golf Club encompasses more than 150
acres of breathtaking mountain views without one house,
condo, or townhouse spoiling any fairway. This final gem
designed by the late Gentleman Joe Lee is known as
one of his finest works, joining the ranks of Doral and
LaCosta. From the first hole’s dramatic elevated tee shot,
golfers will see this course as one of the Free State’s
best. Trademarks of this superbly conditioned golf course
include undulating greens, strategically located visible
hazards from elevated tee boxes, and unique bunkering.
The friendly, professional staff believes that a day on the
golf course should reward golfers with the “perfect golf”
experience, and no other public golf course serves better
food. Surrounded by abundant natural beauty and unique
topography, Musket Ridge is located conveniently just off
I-70, west of Frederick, in Myersville, MD.
301-293-9930
musketridge.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
GOLD 6902 72 73.0 140
BLUE 6416 72 71.1 130
WHITE 5884 72 68.9 123
RED 5333 72 71.1 124
facebook . com /golfgetaway Keezletown, VA
Designers: Russell Breeden & Jeff Forbes
Head Professional: Brad Powell
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#5 Best New Affordable Course” —Golf Digest 2003
Rated HHHH1/2 —Golf Digest
In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley sits one of America’s
most spectacular golf courses. A stunning 18-hole
championship golf course, Packsaddle Ridge Golf Club in
Keezletown, Virginia, features incredible views of the valley
below. Golf Digest in 2003 voted Packsaddle #5 “Best New
Affordable Course.” In the fall of 2014 $40,000 was spent
renovating the front nine. This breathtaking facility was built
on more than 500 acres of rolling countryside. Designed
by renowned golf architect Russell Breeden along with Jeff
Forbes, this 4-year project required moving an incredible
one million tons of rock and 750,000 tons of top soil. The
resulting layout will challenge all types of golfers and
overload your senses with natural beauty. Packsaddle
Ridge is located 15 minutes off Exit 247, east of I-81.
540-269-8188
packsaddle.net
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7024 72 74.2 139
BLUE 6398 72 70.7 131
GREEN 5929 72 68.2 128
WHITE 5470 72 65.7 118
RED/GOLD 4663 72 66.8 116
21
Feature Courses
Ruther Glen, VA
Designer: Tom Walker
Director of Golf: Jim Mason
“Top Must Play Courses” —Golfstyles
Located mid-point between Richmond and Washington,
D.C. in Ruther Glen, Pendleton Golf Club, one of Virginia’s
most exciting new and picturesque golf courses, opened
to the public in September of 2006. Named after Virginia’s
first acting governor Edmund Pendleton, this course lives
up to its lofty namesake. Designed by Thomas Walker,
former lead designer at the Gary Player Design Company,
this spectacular layout combines creative mounding and
undulating greens to challenge players of all levels. With
five sets of tees in all, the course stretches to more than
7000 yards from the back tees, while ladies will find the
4500 yard length accommodating. Pendleton also features
one of the best practice facilities and driving ranges in the
mid-Atlantic. The grass tee alone at the range stretches
over more than an acre. Call 804-448-4727 or visit us on
the web at pendletongolfva.com.
804-448-4727
pendletongolfva.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7093 72 75.5 141
BLUE 6635 72 72.8 135
WHITE 6090 72 69.9 131
GOLD 5547 72 67.5 124
RED 4525 72 67.0 115
Fayetteville, PA
Designer: Ed Ault/Bill Love
Head Professional: David Beegle
“The Top 10 Courses for the Money Right Now” in the country
—Links Magazine 2014
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#9 in PA, Best Public Golf Courses”—Golf Magazine 2012
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
The perfect combination of traditional and modern golf can
be found in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, at Penn National
Golf Club, home of two four-star, 18-hole championship
courses. The Founders Course (1968-Ed Ault Design),
a classic northeastern-style masterpiece, features large
contoured greens, tree-lined rye/bluegrass fairways,
sculpted bunkers, and a 7-acre lake. Iron Forge (1996-Bill
Love) with its contemporary design offers bentgrass tees,
fairways, and greens and fescue bluegrass roughs. Iron
Forge has link characteristics with well-placed mounding
and tall native grasses in the outer rough areas. “Play
among the stars” at Penn National, located 18 miles west
of Gettysburg, close to I-81 and I-70. Stay & Play packages
are offered at the on-site 52 room Inn.
800-221-7366
penngolf.com
Founders Course Iron Forge Course
YARDAGE RTG/SLP YARDAGE RTG/SLP
BLUE 6972 73.8/137 BLACK 7009 73.5/133
GREEN 6465 71.0/131 BLUE 6602 71.6/130
GREY 5791 68.2/124 WHITE 6300 70.3/128
LADIES 5352 71.1/120 GOLD 6001 68.8/ 124
22 LADIES 5246 69.9/121
GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Middletown, MD
Designer: Rick Jacobson
Director of Golf: Alex Hoffman
Richland Golf Club, formerly known as Hollow Creek,
has opened under new ownership and is managed by
East Coast Golf Management Company. Nestled in the
Middletown Valley of Frederick County MD, Richland Golf
Club offers a truly special place to unwind and relax from
the daily grind with amazing views of the Catoctin Mountain
Range. Just minutes from I-70, this Rick Jacobson design
cascades over the rolling countryside making it both
aesthetic and enjoyable for players of all abilities. With
distances ranging from 5000 to 6800 yards and a choice
of four sets of tees, this impeccably maintained layout
requires precise shot making, yet yields playability to all
golfers. Richland proudly offers all-inclusive golf packages
that can be tailored to suit the needs of your next golf
outing for 20 to 200 golfers. Richland Golf Club’s popular
Valley Grill Sports Bar has twenty foot wide high definition
TVs so you can catch whatever sport you favor while
enjoying great eats and your favorite beverage. Come
enjoy the exciting changes at Richland Golf Club.
301-371-0400
richlandgolfclub.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6780 72 72.0 135
WHITE 6394 72 70.3 133
GREEN 5719 72 67.6 124
RED 5105 72 68.7 121
Winchester, VA
Designer: Denny Perry
General Manager: Gerri Lum
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“Nominated Top 100 New Course” —Golf Digest 2004
Rated HHHH—Golf Digest
Located in the Shenandoah Valley west of Winchester,
VA, Rock Harbor Golf Course offers the region’s most
exciting two layouts. Designer Denny Perry unveiled even
more challenges last year when he opened new holes on
the Boulder Course. Boulder’s unique combination of six
par 5s, six par 4s and six par 3s make it a one-of-a-kind
must-play and see! Forty acres of lakes dominate the Rock
Course, which includes two signature par 3s, the island
green seventh and the Heart of Virginia seventeenth. Six
sets of tees allow players of all skill levels to enjoy these
fun courses. The fast Penn A-4 bentgrass greens are
recognized as some of the best in the region. You first
conquered the Rock, now take on the Boulder. Just minutes
from Interstate 81 off Route 37, Rock Harbor lies within one
hour from Northern VA or Frederick, MD.
866-273-1934
rockharborgolf.com
Rock Boulder
YDG PAR RTG SLOPE YDG PAR RTG SLOPE
BLACK 7299 72 75.8 135 7554 72 76.1 143
BLUE 6808 72 73.4 132 6959 72 73.4 137
WHITE 6252 72 69.8 127 6281 72 70.4 130
ORANGE 5424 72 65.6 114 5513 72 66.7 121
YELLOW 4673 72 61.0 100 4791 72 63.4 114
GREEN 3692 72 57.5 98 3667 72 57.4 101
facebook . com /golfgetaway 23
Feature Courses
Essex, MD
Designer: Russell Roberts
Head Professional: Jeff Bell
Rated HHHH—Golf Digest
One of the most beautiful courses that the Free State
has to offer is Rocky Point Golf Course on the shores of
the Chesapeake Bay. This long standing stalwart of the
Baltimore County Golf five course contingent, Rocky Point
provides outstanding golf value. Don’t be fooled by the
6683-yard length. Positioned at sea level, Rocky Point
plays much longer around a varying array of water hazards.
The front nine lies relatively flat and open while the back
nine features abundant elevation changes, tree-lined
fairways, and stunning views of the Chesapeake. Rated 4
stars by Golf Digest, Rocky Point makes a terrific daily fee
venue and an ideal location for your next golf outing with
their outdoor waterproof pavilion that overlooks the bay. It
is located on Back River Road in Essex just 15 minutes off
Exit 36 of the Baltimore Beltway.
410-887-0215
baltimoregolfing.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6683 72 72.3 125
WHITE 6312 72 70.4 123
GOLD 5621 72 67.2 116
RED 5370 74 69.5 121
Front Royal, VA
Designer: Buddy Loving
Head Professional: Jeff Forman
“#7 in Virginia” —Golf Advisor 2016
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Rated HHHH—Golf Digest
The Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, located 8 miles north
of Front Royal, offers 27 holes of Virginia’s best golf. With
unparalleled scenic beauty you’ll catch views of the Skyline
Drive and the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountain
ranges on every hole. This superbly conditioned course
on 250 rolling acres features bentgrass tees and greens
and plush ryegrass fairways. With three nines - the red,
white, and blue – you’ll have a great chance to get in 27
holes. The club has hosted many golf championships,
numerous VSGA tournaments, and Middle Atlantic Section
PGA events. Its Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Teaching
& Fitness Center houses the area’s only indoor heated
center. Constantly lauded for its condition, playability, and
overall value, play Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, located
just minutes from I-81 and I-66 between Winchester and
Front Royal, to experience golf in the country at its best.
540-636-GOLF(4653)
shenandoahvalleygolfclub.com
Red/White White/Blue Blue/Red
YARDAGE SLOPE YARDAGE SLOPE YARDAGE SLOPE
BLUE 6121 127 6374 129 6443 128
WHITE 5687 121 5930 122 6065 124
GOLD 4759 113 5067 113 5216 114
RED 4759 115 4612 115 4761 121
24 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Middletown, VA
Designer: Shapemasters
Club Manager: Richard Jenkins
Sly Fox Golf Club, formerly Jackson’s Chase, combines
unique challenges and unsurpassed beauty. Located in
the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, the rolling hills and
plateaus provide panoramic views of Signal Knob and
surrounding mountains. Enjoy a breathtaking round on
grounds rich with Civil War history. You will need to be
as crafty as a sly fox to win your fight here! Situated on
130 acres in Middletown, VA, minutes from the city of
Front Royal, Sly Fox measures over 6500 yards from
the tips for the skilled players and a very playable 4500
yards for the less experienced. A wonderful mix of open
and tree-lined holes with multiple water hazards including
Cooley Lake, will force you to choose whether to go for it
or play it safe. Just five miles from Interstates 66 and 81,
Sly Fox promises a friendly welcoming environment with
unmatched customer service. Stick around afterwards for
good times, food, and drinks at the recently renovated bar
and grill. Local owners are committed to providing the finest
course conditions along with one of the best golf values.
Get to know Sly Fox Golf Club today!
540-635-7814
slyfoxgolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLUE 6513 72 71.1 129
WHITE 6100 72 69.9 124
GOLD 5389 72 66.8 115
RED 4526 72 69.1 114
facebook . com /golfgetaway New Kent, VA
Designer: Rees Jones
PGA Club Professional: Tripp McIntyre
“#3 in Virginia” —Golf Advisor 2016
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#8 in VA, America’s Best Golf Courses” —Golfweek 2016
The Club at Viniterra, Virginia’s most beautiful and exciting
new golf course, is located in New Kent between Richmond
and Williamsburg. This 18-hole championship course
designed by acclaimed architect Rees Jones lies adjacent
to New Kent Winery and serves as the centerpiece of the
unique and upscale Viniterra residential community. Spread
out over a vast and diverse piece of land, the course
measures anywhere from 5200 to over 7700 yards, giving
it infinite flexibility. The Club at Viniterra uses multiple tee
boxes and wide fairways to assure an enjoyable experience
for all skill levels. The U.S. Open doctor has crafted a jewel,
and The Club at Viniterra is a must–play in the mid-Atlantic
region. You will be amazed by the raw beauty of this Jones
masterpiece located minutes from I-64 in New Kent, VA,
just 20 minutes from both Richmond and Williamsburg.
804-932-3888
viniterragolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7496 72 75.2 142
BLUE 7087 72 73.1 137
GREEN 6698 72 71.4 133
WHITE 6117 72 69.8 129
GOLD 5504 72 68.7 127
BURGUNDY 5122 72 71.1 128
25
Feature Courses
Buena Vista, VA
Designer: Rick Jacobson
Director of Golf: Ed Armentrout, III
The Vista Links Golf Club, a beautiful and classic Rick
Jacobson links-style layout, is situated on 180 acres
of undulating topography between the Blue Ridge and
Alleghany mountain ranges. Vista Links has the feel of
a mountain course with many elevation changes, rock
outcroppings, native grasses and panoramic views. This
rare course can both challenge experienced players and
help newcomers relax as they enjoy learning this great
game. Just come prepared to reach for every club in your
bag as you work to conquer this unique Buena Vista golf
course. Vista Links has 5 sets of tees ranging from 4924 to
6855 yards. The course also boasts offering an outstanding
practice facility that includes a driving range, putting green,
and chipping area. Owned by the city of Buena Vista, VA,
and part of the city’s 600-acre Glen Maury Park, Vista Links
is located on Route 60 minutes from I-81.
540-261-GOLF (4653)
thevistalinks.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 6855 72 74.2 140
BLUE 6447 72 72.2 136
WHITE 6057 72 70.2 133
GOLD 5466 72 65.8 125
RED 4924 72 68.1 123
Ijamsville, MD
Designers: Ernie Els & J. Michael Poellot
General Manager: Ted Goodenow
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#5 in MD, America’s Best Golf Courses”—Golfweek 2016
“#1 Course Layout in Maryland” —Golf Advisor 2016
Rated HHHH1/2 —Golf Digest
Designed by architect J. Michael Poellot and two-time
U.S. Open Champion Ernie Els, Whiskey Creek feels as
big and bold as the land itself. Bordered by a high ridge of
hardwoods and a winding, free-flowing creek, the course
features wetlands, rock outcroppings, stone walls, streams,
and dramatic views of the Catoctin Mountains. Like most
tested and true championship courses, Whiskey Creek, an
honest golf course, presents its challenges and hazards in
plain sight. The holes at Whiskey Creek were designed to
test a player’s shot making ability, which is clearly evident
on the par 5 closer where ruins of an old farmhouse split
the fairway and offer a great risk-reward opportunity. Come
feel the drama that awaits just minutes off I-270, Exit 26, on
Route 80 in Urbana, Maryland.
888-883-1174
whiskeycreekgolf.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7001 72 74.6 138
BLUE 6525 72 72.1 136
WHITE 5979 72 69.3 129
RED 5296 72 70.5 121
26 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Courses
Mercersburg, PA
Designer: Rick Robbins
Director of Golf: Rich Hogan
“Perfect Five, Breathtaking, Terrific Value”—Golf Magazine
Rick Robbins spectacular design at Whitetail Golf Resort
brings “golf with a view.” Quite simply, Whitetail can boast
being one of the area’s most beautiful golf courses. Each
hole has been designed to take advantage of the natural
beauty that surrounds the area. Whitetail combines a links
and mountain style layout. The front nine winds across
the valley, while the back nine features six holes that
play into the mountain with dramatic elevation changes
and breathtaking views. Located just minutes from I-81
and I-70 and approximately 70 minutes from Baltimore
and Washington, come to the mountains of south central
Pennsylvania for a golf experience that is true to the game.
Whitetail also has a state of the art clubhouse, Grille Room,
and pro shop. Whitetail Golf Resort is owned and operated
by Whitetail Ski Resort & Snow Time, Inc.
888-493-4169
golfatwhitetail.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 6950 72 73.5 138
BLUE 6433 72 71.3 126
WHITE 6433 72 71.0 134
GOLD 5817 72 69.1 122
RED 5234 72 70.5 123
facebook . com /golfgetaway Windsor Mill, MD
Designer: Lindsay Ervin
Head Professional: Tim Butler
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
Designed by renowned golf course architect Lindsay
Ervin, The Woodlands opened in 1998 to critical acclaim.
Ervin himself said The Woodlands “truly ranks as my best
design” and GolfStyles called it “the best public course in
the Baltimore suburbs.” The Woodlands takes golfers on a
scenic journey through a world of tall hardwood trees that
guard the lush bentgrass fairways and large, undulating
greens of the course’s enjoyable and challenging 18 holes.
Five sets of tees provide varying challenge levels for all
players. A state-of-the-art clubhouse has only added to the
reputation of The Woodlands and the adjacent Diamond
Ridge Golf Course. It is located just minutes from Exit 17
off the Baltimore Beltway and easily accessible off I-70 at
the Rt. 29 exit.
410-887-1349
baltimoregolfing.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7014 72 74.1 136
BLUE 6551 72 72.1 131
WHITE 6122 72 69.9 126
GREEN 5452 72 66.6 123
GOLD 4762 72 68.8 111
27
Feature Courses
Hedgesville, WV
Designer: Ray Johnston
Head Professional: Ron Springer
Rated HHHH —Golf Digest
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
Located at the northern entrance to the Shenandoah
Valley in Hedgesville, WV, the Woods, part of a 2,000-acre
community, features 36 holes including the Mountain View
Championship Course and the Stony Lick Mid-Length
Course. The Mountain View Course wanders around a
wooded plateau between The Woods pro shop and Third
Hill Mountain, which dominates its view. Carved from a
forest, Mountain View’s fairways are framed by dogwood,
maple, oak, and pine trees. The Stony Lick Mid-Length,
the first 18-hole course of its kind in the area, provides
golfers of all levels terrific fun without taking five hours and
losing a dozen balls. Stony Lick is also home to the eastern
panhandle’s only FootGolf course. GolfStyles Washington
writes that golf at The Woods is “Fun & Fair.” Escape to
The Woods at Exit 16 West off I-81.
304-754-7222
thewoods.com
Mountain View Stony Lick
YDG PAR RTG SLOPE YDG PAR RTG SLOPE
BLUE 6621 72 72.0 125 N/A N/A N/A N/A
WHITE 6041 72 68.6 119 3700 62 59.9 97
GREEN 5442 72 65.9 116 3482 62 58.8 92
GOLD 4938 71 68.4 119 3018 62 56.9 87
Urbana, MD
Designer: Brian Ault
Head Professional: Ed Coyle
“America’s Top Pace of Play Golf Courses” —Zagat Survey
“Top Must Play Courses” —GolfStyles
“#7 in MD, America’s Best Golf Courses” —Golfweek 2016
“#7 in Maryland” —Golf Advisor 2016
Worthington Manor Golf Club, one of the mid-Atlantic’s
premier championship daily fee and membership clubs,
was carved intelligently from Maryland’s countryside.
This magnificent 18-hole, 7000-yard, Ault-Clark Signature
Course features lush bentgrass from tee to green. Holes
are routed dramatically through wetlands and across rolling
farmland. Worthington Manor has received rave reviews
and was nominated for Golf Digest’s Best New Course in
America (1999) and Maryland Course of the Year (2001) by
the National Golf Course Owners Association. This modern
facility provides professional, courteous service, 10 minute
tee times, and permits carts off the paths. Worthington
Manor, located in Urbana, MD, just one mile west of I-270
on Route 80, is sure to be your “country club for the day.”
301-874-5400
worthingtonmanor.com
YARDAGE PAR RATING SLOPE
BLACK 7034 72 74.4 144
BLUE 6525 72 71.8 134
WHITE 6058 72 69.3 125
RED 5206 72 70.1 127
28 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
PGA Tour Schedule
pgatour.com pgatour.com/champions.html lpga.com
SEPT 14–17 BMW Championship Bear Mountain Championship The Evian Championship
Conway Farms Golf Club Bear Mountain Resort
Evian Resort Golf Club
(GOLF/NBC) (GOLF) (GOLF/NBC)
SEPT 21–24 The TOUR Championship PURE Insurance Championship
East Lake Golf Club Pebble Beach Golf Links
(GOLF/NBC) (GOLF)
SEPT 29–OCT 1 The President’s Cup New Zealand Women’s Open
Liberty National Golf Club Windross Farms Golf Course
(GOLF/NBC) (GOLF)
OCT 5–8 Safeway Open Alisports Reignwood
Silverado Resort and Spa Reignwood Pine Valley
(GOLF) (GOLF)
OCT 12–15 CIMB Classic SAS Championship LPGA KEB Hana Bank
TPC Kuala Lumpur Prestonwood Country Club Sky 72 Golf Club
(GOLF) (GOLF) (GOLF)
OCT 19–22 The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges Dominion Charity Classic Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan
Nine Bridges–Korea The Country Club of Virginia–River Taipei, Taiwan
(GOLF) (GOLF) (GOLF)
OCT 26–29 WGC-HSBC Champions Powershares QQQ Championship Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
Sheshan International Golf Club Sherwood Country Club TPC Kuala Lumpur G&CC
(GOLF) (GOLF) (GOLF)
Sanderson Farms Championship
Country Club of Jackson
(GOLF)
NOV 2–5 Shriners Hospital for Children Open TOTO Japan Classic
TPC Summerlin Taiheiyo Club-Minori
(GOLF)
NOV 9–12 OHL Classic at Mayakoba Charles Schwab Cup Championship Blue Bay LPGA
El Camaleon Golf Club Phoenix Country Club Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club
(GOLF) (GOLF) (GOLF)
NOV 16–19 The RSM Classic CME Group Tour
Sea Island Resort–Seaside Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz
(GOLF) (GOLF/NBC)
NOV 30–DEC 3 Hero World Challenge Champions Tour Qualifying
Albany, The Bahamas Reunion Resort–Watson
(GOLF/NBC)
DEC 7–10 QBE Shootout
Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz
(GOLF/FOX)
DEC 15–17 PNC Father-Son Challenge
Ritz Carlton Golf Club
(GOLF/NBC)
JAN 4–7 Tournament of Champions
Kapalua Resort–Plantation
(GOLF)
FALL 2017 Bold Type Denotes Major
29
30 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
FeatuFreeaCtouurersSetoMrayp
Click for larger image
FALL 2017 31
Additional Regional Courses
MARYLAND 410-974-0669 Marlton – Upper Marlboro 301-856-7566
301-733-5152 McDaniel College – Westminster 410-848-7667
Bay Hills – Arnold 240-313-2816 Mitchell’s – Reisterstown 410-833-7721
Beaver Creek – Hagerstown 301-670-1966 Mount Pleasant – Baltimore 410-254-5100
Black Rock – Hagerstown 301-262-8141 Mountain Branch – Joppa 410-836-9600
Blue Mash – Olney 301-475-2300 Needwood – Rockville 301-948-1075
Bowie – Bowie 410-939-8887 Northwest Park – Silver Spring 301-598-6100
Breton Bay – Leonardtown 410-685-8344 Oak Creek – Upper Marlboro 301-249-0809
Bulle Rock – Havre de Grace 410-745-5183 Oakmont Green – Hampstead 410-374-1500
Carroll Park – Baltimore 410-243-3500 Paint Branch – College Park 301-935-0330
Chesapeake – St. Michaels 410-255-7764 Patriots Glen – Elkton 410-392-9552
Clifton Park – Baltimore 301-595-8901 Patuxent Greens – Laurel 301-776-5533
Compass Point – Pasadena 410-571-0973 P.B. Dye Club – Ijamsville 301-607-4653
Cross Creek – Beltsville 301-249-2040 Pine Ridge – Lutherville 410-252-1408
Eisenhower – Crownsville 410-278-4794 Poolesville – Poolesville 301-428-8143
Enterprise – Mitchellville 410-730-1112 Potomac Ridge – Waldorf 301-372-1305
Exton – Aberdeen 301-299-5156 Rattlewood – Mt. Airy 301-607-9000
Fairway Hills – Columbia 301-729-4000 Redgate – Rockville 240-406-1650
Falls Road – Potomac 410-448-4653 Renditions – Davidsonville 888-451-4144
Fore Sisters – Rawlings 301-846-0694 River Downs – Finksburg 410-526-2000
Forest Park – Baltimore 410-893-1114 Rocky Gap – Flintstone 301-784-8400
Frederick Golf Club – Frederick 301-898-5555 Ruggles – Aberdeen 410-278-4794
Geneva Farms – Street 301-262-1166 Severna Park – Arnold 410-647-8618
Glade Valley – Walkersville 301-334-3883 Swan Point – Swan Point 301-259-0047
Glenn Dale – Glenn Dale 301-725-4532 Timbers at Troy – Elkridge 410-313-4653
Golf Club at Oakland – Oakland 301-733-8630 Trotters Glen – Olney 301-570-4951
Gunpowder – Laurel 301-476-7999 Turf Valley – Ellicott City 410-465-1500
Hagerstown Greens – Hagerstown 301-865-0026 University of Maryland – College Park 301-314-4653
Hampshire Greens – Silver Spring 301-298-9999 Waverly Woods – Marriottsville 410-313-9182
Hope Valley – Mt. Airy 301-948-5288 Westminster National – Westminster 410-876-4653
Lake Presidential – Upper Marlboro 301-829-3000 Wetlands – Aberdeen 410-273-7488
Laytonsville – Laytonsville 301-601-9209 Wisp – McHenry 301-859-3159
Links at Challedon – Mt. Airy 301-271-7870 Willow Springs – West Friendship 410-442-7700
Little Bennett – Clarksburg
Maple Run – Thurmont Lancaster Host – Lancaster 717-397-7156
Little Creek – Spring Grove 717-225-1702
PENNSYLVANIA 814-623-8700 Lykens Valley – Millersburg 717-692-3664
717-792-9776 Meadow Brook – Gettysburg 717-334-0569
Bedford Springs – Bedford 717-624-9551 Nemacolin Woodlands – Farmington 800-422-2736
Briarwood – York 717-359-4480 Overlook – Lancaster 717-569-9551
The Bridges – Abbottstown 717-352-7271 Piney Apple – Biglerville 717-677-9264
Cedar Ridge – Gettysburg 717-352-3222 Pleasant Valley – Stewartstown 717-993-2184
Caledonia – Fayetteville 814-652-5193 Quail Valley – Littletown 717-359-8453
Conocodell – Fayetteville 717-359-7125 Rocky Spring – Chambersburg 717-264-7742
Down River – Everett 717-764-2674 Rolling Acres – York 717-755-1406
Flatbush – Littlestown 717-485-4157 Royal Manchester – Mt. Wolf 717-268-0490
Grandview – York 717-597-1188 South Hills – Hanover 717-637-7500
Great Cove – McConnellsburg 717-792-9771 Springwood – York 717-747-9663
Greencastle – Greencastle 717-533-0890 Tanglewood Manor – Quarryville 717-786-2500
Heritage Hills – York 717-225-4247 Waynesboro Muni. – Waynesboro 717-762-3734
Hershey – Hershey 814-443-8000 Wyncote – Oxford 610-932-8900
Hickory Heights – Spring Grove 717-792-9771
Hidden Valley – Hidden Valley 717-279-7409
Honey Run – York
Iron Valley – Lebanon
32 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Additional ReFgeioantuarleCoStuorrsyes
VIRGINIA 703-444-0901 Medal of Honor – Quantico 703-784-2424
703-450-4655 Oak Marr – Oakton 703-255-5391
1757 – Dulles 540-869-8600 Old Hickory – Woodbridge 703-580-9000
Algonkian – Sterling 540-659-4478 Old Trail – Crozet 434-283-8101
Appleland – Stephens City 540-720-7374 Penderbrook – Fairfax 703-385-3700
Aquia Harbour – Stafford 434-293-4653 Pinecrest – Alexandria 703-941-1061
Augustine – Stafford 703-327-3403 Pleasant Valley – Chantilly 703-222-7900
Birdwood – Charlottesville 703-368-3558 Pohick Bay – Lorton 703-339-8585
Brambleton – Ashburn 866-BULL-RUN Poplar Grove – Amherst 434-946-9933
Bristow Manor – Bristow 703-323-1641 Potomac Shores – Potomac Shores 855-808-6051
Bull Run – Haymarket 540-775-4653 Primland Resort – Rivers of Dan 276-251-8012
Burke Lake – Fairfax Station 540-371-8001 Prince William – Nokesville 703-754-7111
Cameron Hills – King George 703-221-0123 Rapidan – Locust Grove 540-547-7274
Cannon Ridge – Fredericksburg 804-742-5647 Reston National – Reston 703-620-9333
Forest Greens – Triangle 703-337-0777 Raspberry Falls – Leesburg 703-779-2555
Four Winds – Rappahanock Academy 703-971-6170 Royal Virginia – Louisa 804-457-2041
General’s Ridge – Manassas Park 434-985-7320 Shenvalee – New Market 888-339-3181
Greendale – Alexandria 540-332-3949 South Riding – South Riding 703-327-6660
Greene Hills – Stanardsville 703-471-5769 South Wales – Jeffersonton 540-937-3250
Gypsy Hill – Staunton 804-443-4500 Spring Creek – Gordonsville 540-832-0744
Herndon Centennial – Herndon 804-749-1900 Sterling – Sterling 703-430-1400
Hobbs Hill – Tappahannock 804-594-0261 Stonewall – Gainesville 703-753-5101
Hunting Hawk – Glen Allen 540-248-7888 Tanyard – Louisa 540-967-1889
Independence – Midlothian 703-573-0444 The Club at Ironwood – Staunton 540-248-7272
Ingleside – Stauton 434-923-4363 The Crossings – Glen Allen 804-261-0000
Jefferson District – Falls Church 804-435-7842 The Homestead – Hot Springs 540-839-7739
Keswick Club – Keswick 434-589-3075 The Manor – Farmville 434-392-2244
King Carter – Irvington 703-494-5564 The Tides Golden Eagle – Irvington 804-438-4460
Lake Montecello – Palmyra 703-729-8400 Twin Lakes – Clifton 703-631-9099
Lake Ridge – Woodbridge 703-493-8849 Virginia Golf Academy – Clifton 703-830-2400
Lansdowne – Leesburg 540-289-9441 Westfields – Clifton 703-631-3300
Laurel Hill – Lorton 804-633-7888 Westpark – Leesburg 703-777-7023
Massanutten – McGaheysville 434-977-0615 Wintergreen – Wintergreen 800-860-3809
Mattaponi Springs – Ruther Glen
Meadowcreek – Charlottesville
WEST VIRGINIA 304-789-2481 Lakeview Resort – Morgantown 304-594-2011
304-363-9551 Mill Creek – Keyser 304-289-3160
Alpine Lake – Terra Alta 304-457-2156 Mountaineer – Morgantown 304-328-5520
Apple Valley – Fairmont 304-623-3701 Oglebay Resort – Wheeling 304-243-4141
Barbour – Philippi 304-327-9822 Paradise Lakes – Morgantown 304-291-0827
Bel Meadow – Mt. Calre 304-866-4121 Pipestem – Pipestem 304-466-1800
Bluefield Elks – Bluefield 304-624-5807 Polish Pines – Keyser 301-786-4131
Canaan Valley – Davis 304-876-2544 Preston – Kingwood 304-329-2100
Clarksburg – Clarksburg 304-622-3241 The Raven – Snowshoe Mountain 304-572-6500
Cress Creek – Shepherdstown 304-269-1139 Riverbend – Buckhannon 304-472-6295
Crows Nest – Clarksburg 304-636-9704 Sleepy Hollow – Charles Town 304-725-5210
Deerfield – Weston 800-634-5233 Stonewall – Roanoke 888-278-8150
Elks – Elkins 304-536-1110 Twin Falls – Mullens 304-294-4000
Glade Springs Resort – Daniels 304-745-4900 Tygart Lake – Grafton 304-265-3100
The Greenbrier – White Sulphur Springs 304-358-2261 Valley View – Moorefield 304-538-6564
Hide-a-way – Clarksburg 304-478-3406 Woodbrier – Martinsburg 304-274-9818
Highlands at Fisher Mountain – Franklin
Holly Meadows – Parsons
FALL 2017 33
Feature Story
Meadows Farms Golf Course ~ Home Improvement
Nick Ciattei
When new owners took over Meadows Farms Golf Course in Orange, VA, they
knew what they had and they knew what they had to do. What they had was one
of, if not the most, unique golf courses in the entire Commonwealth. “Farmer”
Bill Meadows built the course back in 1993 with one main theme in mind. He
wanted to put fun back into the game through a series of cleverly designed holes.
Kenny Dotson and his family bought the golf course back in 2014. His son Josh,
the General Manager at the golf course, says the family intends to carry on the
founder’s legacy. All of the memorable holes that made Meadows Farms famous
remain in all their noteworthy glory. The new team in place wants to keep it that
way. If it has been awhile since you last visited Meadows Farms, you may want to
add it to your golf schedule. GM Dotson reports that just some of the enhancements
that they have completed since they took over include improving the overall turf
surface, installing new bulk heads around the greens, and just making the course a
lot more user friendly.
Three distinct nines and a “bonus”
warm-up hole make Meadows Farms an
unforgettable round of golf. You can find
the signature landmark of the layout on
the “Longest Hole” nine. The 841-yard
par 6 third is the longest hole in the
United States according to the Guinness
Book of World Records. I have yet to
par this hole, but I do have a birdie
Longest Hole Nine Hole 3 Par 6 and several “others” to boast about.
The hole doglegs right while going
downhill, and several large ponds must be cleared or circumvented. As you might
expect, Longest Hole is the longest of the three nines at Meadows Farms, playing
3909 yards from the tips. The “Waterfall” and “Island Green” nines measure 2962
and 3096 yards from the back tees. Even though the Waterfall tract is the shortest,
it certainly makes up for that in character on the par 3s alone. Sand completely
surrounds number two’s green. The showstopping fourth green is perched above
a towering wall of rock with water cascading down the side into a pond. You can’t
miss seeing another added attraction here, the old Civil War hospital located right
behind the hole. The eighth hole on this nine begs you to step up to the plate. The
baseball diamond hole creates a golf
field of dreams. No cornfield here, rather
a ball park complete with a fence with
advertising and a warning track bunker.
The putting surface takes center field, so
a single up the middle gets you dancing.
Many golfers swing for the fences just
to circle the bases! The second hole on
the waterfall nine, a downhill dogleg
right par 4, plays to a peninsula green
Waterfall Nine Hole 8 Par 3
34 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Story
surrounded by water. Speaking of the wet
stuff, the Island Green nine has plenty of
it as water comes into play on six holes,
seven if you count the par 4 warm-up
hole. Yes, there are 28 holes here with a
bonus hole to get your juices flowing. The
second hole carries this nine’s namesake,
but because the green is a large target,
concentrate on the task at hand. Plenty Island Green Nine Hole 2 Par 3
of other obstacles are scattered around
Meadows Farms including railroad tie and rock walls, church pew bunkers, and split
fairways.
A fabulous clubhouse overlooks the course and features the Red Bull Grill. Situated
on beautiful gently rolling countryside, Meadows Farms Golf Course is located 75
minutes from Washington, DC, and Richmond, 45 minutes from Charlottesville,
and only 15 minutes from Fredericksburg. The Dotsons have brought a renewed
commitment to the golf facility to continually improve the product, and from all
counts, they have done exactly that. Recent Golf Advisor rankings have placed them
in the top five public courses in Virginia. This momentous achievement adds one
more reason to head down to the “Farm.”
For more information visit meadowsfarmsgolfcourse.com
FALL 2017 35
Mid-Atlantic Tournaments
Date Tournament Location
Sept 12–13 Maryland Senior Amateur Worthington Manor Golf Club
Sept 15–17 VSGA Mid-Amateur Championship Williamsburg Golf Club
September 18 MAPGA Fall Pro-Am P.B. Dye Club
September 18 VSGA eClub Championship Mattaponi Springs Golf Club
Sept 18–19 Pennsylvania Mid-Amateur Fox Chapel Golf Club
Sept 18–19 WV Senior Four-Ball Championship Sleepy Hollow Golf Club
September 24 WV Club Team Championship Riverside Golf Club
September 25 VSGA Women’s 4-Person Captain’s Choice The Club at Viniterra
September 25 MAPGA Head Professional Championship Univ. of Maryland Golf Club
September 25 MAPGA Teaching Pro Championship Univ. of Maryland Golf Club
September 26 2018 U.S. Am Four Ball Qualifier–VA Golden Horseshoe Golf Club–Gold
September 27 MSGA Past Presidents Green Spring Country Club
September 28 2018 U.S. Am Four Ball Qualifyier–WV Locust Hill Golf Club
October 2–3 Ocean City Pro-Am Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club
October 3–4 The PA Art Wall Jr. Memorial Chartiers Country Club
October 3–6 VSGA Mid/Super Senior Amateur James River Country Club
October 6 2018 U.S. Women's Amateur Four Ball Carlisle Country Club
Qualifier–PA
October 7–8 Alleghany Amateur Blacksburg Country Club
Oct 10–11 Maryland Senior Open Chevy Chase Country Club
October 12 Four-State Senior Team Challenge Baltimore Country Club
Oct 13–14 Evergreen Invitational Evergreen Country Club
October 16 2018 U.S. Am Four Ball Qualifier–MD Woodmore Country Club
Oct 16–17 MAPGA Rocky Gap Players Cup Rocky Gap Casino Resort
October 19 MSGA One-Day Four Ball The Suburban Club
Oct 21–22 Chantilly National Invitational Chantilly National G&CC
Oct 21–22 Mid-Atlantic Junior Invitational The Suburban Club
October 23 Love4Golf Pro-Am Locust Hill Golf Club
October 26 Musket Ridge Pro-Am Musket Ridge Golf Club
Oct 26–29 VSGA Four Ball Match Play Championships The Federal Club
Oct 30–31 MAPGA Team Championships Salisbury Country Club (VA)
Middle Atlantic Section
36 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Mid-Atlantic Tournaments
Date Course VSGA One–Day
Location
September 19 Regency at Dominion Valley Haymarket
September 21 Medal of Honor Golf Course Quantico
September 25 Stoney Creek at Wintergreen Nellyford
September 25 Winchester Country Club Winchester
September 26 Stoneleigh Golf and Country Club Round Hill
September 28 Fauquier Springs Country Club Warrenton
October 10 Mattaponi Springs Golf Club Ruther Glen
October 10 Hidden Creek Country Club Reston
October 23 Dominion Valley Country Club Haymarket
October 25 Spring Creek Golf Club Gordonsville
October 26 The Golf Club at Lansdowne (Norman) Lansdowne
October 30 Springfield Golf and Country Club Springfield
November 1 Potomac Shores Golf Club Potomac Shores
November 6 Belmont Country Club Ashburn
November 13 Fawn Lake Country Club Spotsylvania
For additional events visit vsga.org
FALL 2017 37
Feature Story
Whiskey Creek Golf Club
Always a Real Smooth Round
Nick Ciattei
As it closes in on its first 20 years,
Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville,
MD, continues to be recognized as one
of the premiere golf courses in the mid-
Atlantic. The aging process has been
very kind to this layout that routinely
ranks as a “top ten” course in the Free
State. Golf Week places it at #5 while
Golf Digest rates it as one of only two
public courses to make the top ten at
Hole 1 Par 4 #10. Co-Designed by two-time U.S.
Open Champion Ernie Els and architect J. Michael Poellot, Whiskey Creek calls a
secluded piece of property near Frederick home. Before golfers took all the shots
here, moonshiners used to reign supreme as they would float whiskey kegs down
Bush Creek to Ijamsville Road. The breathtaking landscape supplies generous views
of the Catoctin Mountains, broad meadows, freshwater streams, stone walls, rock
outcroppings, and plenty of hardwoods.
Most agree that Whiskey Creek presents an honest test of golf with all the hazards
and problem spots in clear view. The 410-yard par 4 first has a British links feel
with bunkers and gorse dominating the scene. A wide landing area makes the
relatively straight par 4 second a realistic birdie hole. The first in a terrific set of par
3s is number three on your scorecard. A Parkland style comes into play early and
often on the 565-yard par 5 fourth, which begins a stretch of holes that cut through
mature hardwoods with substantial elevation changes. The next two holes, both
par 4s, testify to the distinctive array of shots you find at Whiskey. The tee on the
fifth is elevated some 100 feet above the fairway. In contrast the shortest par 4 on
the course, the sixth, plays uphill to a green protected by a deep bunker. Risky play
from the tee can reward the golfer a chance to get home in two on the par 5 ninth.
The inward nine opens with a good
scoring opportunity on the par 4 tenth.
I believe the back nine at Whiskey plays
two to three shots harder than the front.
The par 3 eleventh, a striking hole with a
massive bunker sculpture, can be seen on
your drive down the club’s long entrance.
The 445-yard par 4 twelfth stands as
one of the most demanding at Whiskey
Creek. From an elevated tee, you must Hole 11 Par 3
find the sculpted fairway to leave you a
long to mid iron downhill shot to a receptive green. Yet another elevated tee shot
awaits players on the par 4 fourteenth with water looming down the left side of
the fairway and near the green. Fifteen, the longest par 3 on the course, requires a
38 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Story
forced carry over a pond. The 550-yard Hole 18 Par 5
par 5 eighteenth provides an outstanding
finish, which is unique as well with
the ruins of a 19th century stone house
sitting directly in the middle of the
fairway. The smart tee shot runs to the
right of the ruins that usually leaves a
layup shot in front of a small pond that
protects the long and shallow green.
Those who boldly go left of the remnants
could go for the green in two.
Whiskey Creek has one of the more charming, cozy clubhouses you can find.
Before, during, or after your round try a shot of a different kind. Embracing the
region’s past, the club fittingly carries a huge selection of whiskey, and their award
winning executive chef always has something good cooking. Whiskey Creek has an
easy to get to location for Marylanders and Washingtonians to attend golf outings
and events like upcoming holiday parties. Tucked into the corner of thriving
Frederick County, you’ll find handy access from both metro beltways. This facility
prides itself on customer service, and you get special treatment from the moment
you arrive. KemperSports has operated the facility since opening day. Look for their
new app to be released soon. It the meantime, go ahead, take another shot.
For more information visit whiskeycreekgolf.com
FALL 2017 39
Out of the Bag
You may have been wondering what is happening at the
former Harbourtowne Resort Golf Course in St. Michael’s.
The Links at Perry Cabin will debut next Spring on
Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay. Being one
of Pete Dye’s early designs and since he was the original
architect of Harbourtowne, he was brought back to totally
rebuild the course literally from the ground up. Dye
received additional input from his wife and long-time design
collaborator Alice plus his son P.B., also pretty-well known
for his golf course designs. “This golf course is exciting
because it incorporates all of the Pete Dye mysterious things that he does,” commented
Alice Dye. P.B. said the final three holes will be called the “Good Night Kiss.” It starts
with a short risk/reward par 4, then a replica of the island green from TPC Sawgrass, and
an 18th hole they believe will be one of the most majestic finishing holes in golf. When
open, the golf course will be very exclusive, being available only to club members and
guests of the Inn at Perry Cabin.
Up to Par Management will be sponsoring the National Golf
Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Mid-Atlantic Golf
Leader Award. The annual award is given in recognition of
leadership in the golf industry and will be presented at the
Annual Meeting October 18th at the 1757 Club in Northern
Virginia.“We are elated to be sponsoring and presenting this
award,” said Sean Taylor, founder and CEO of Up to Par
Management. “This award represents the lasting impression
golf can make over multiple lifetimes.” Past recipients are
Allen Wronowski, PGA (former national president of the
PGA of America); Don Ryder (longtime director of golf at the Omni Homestead); Bill
Smith (Maryland State Golf Association executive director); and Bill Goodwin, CCA
Industries (owner of several large golf properties including Keswick Hall and Kiawah). Up
to Par manages several courses in the region including Bryce Resort in Basye, VA, and the
Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia.
Have you seen the fresh new twist to a
round of golf? The River Marsh Golf Club
at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay
Golf Resort in Cambridge, MD, now gives
golfers the opportunity to “surf the links.”
GolfBoarding is one of the newest rages in
the sport. In fact, GolfBoards were named
product of the year at this year’s PGA
Merchandise Show in Orlando. An individual
will stand with their golf clubs secured in
front of them, and maneuver with their body
weight and a one-touch thumb throttle. A
computer monitors speed and controls breaking to optimize ease-of-use and safety. Golfers
can move directly from shot to shot at up to 10 MPH, significantly reducing the time it
takes to play a round of golf, and they also inflict less damage to the turf than golf carts
or walking. “Long-time golfers and beginners can appreciate GolfBoards, increasing pace
of play, yet offering a bit more exercise than riding in a traditional golf cart,” said Abby
Messick, Resort Experience Director and LPGA Pro at River Marsh.
40 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
FALL 2017 41
New Products
Sport RX–The Future is So Bright sportrx.com
After years of never being able to wear stylish sports sunglasses on the
links, this golfer has finally found the promised land. Opticians who lead
active lifestyles created Sport RX, a west coast based company. They
saw the need to provide prescription sunglasses for sports enthusiasts
without neglecting flair. I’m not knocking my transition lens glasses. I just
resemble Roy Orbison playing golf. While great for everyday, they didn’t work well on the field of play.
Sport RX can do everything through email. I simply sent them my current prescription, picked out a style,
and in a couple weeks my new sunglasses arrived. I’ve been showing them off ever since. I wear them on
the links, at the beach, or in the pool. Sport RX has a large collection of the most asked for name brands
like Oakley, Nike, and Adidas. Whether you drive it down the fairway, smash it across the net, or swoosh
down a slope, Sport RX can wrap you in trendy sunglasses and give you the UV protection you need. Just
try to get them off me. I only wish I would have known about Sport RX a long time ago. (Ciattei)
Ballpark Blueprints–Where the Games are Played ballparkblueprints.com
Ballpark Blueprints, one of our favorite new product lines, provides
detailed blueprints of most major sports venues and an ever-growing
collection of great golf courses from all over the world. A couple of new
products, insulated stainless steel mugs and long-sleeved T-shirts, have
been added by Ballpark Blueprints. These make wonderful gifts for the
sports junkie in your abode. The mug comes with a removable lid and fits
perfectly in a golf cart cupholder for a cold drink on the links or for hot
coffee in the car on the way to work. The shirts are soft 100% cotton and
come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Both the mugs and shirts feature many of the iconic stadiums,
playing fields, and golf blueprints that will immediately make these items become the topic of discussion.
We have been very impressed with the detail that goes into each blueprint, and we know you will be also.
The website makes for easy shopping with every little detail managed for you. (Ciattei)
Tee-Bra–Tee It Up tee-bra.com
The first time I wore my Tee-Bra, I thought it would be like all my other
sports bras. I was so wrong. Tee-Bra’s unique design provides the same
support as any sports bra, but with the bra on the outside, the soft tee-shirt
like fabric touches the skin as opposed to traditional sports bras with rigid
materials that cause discomfort and irritation. I wear it regularly for
Zumba and walking. But I really like the fact that I can also layer another top over it. Then I can wear
it everywhere. Being comfortable on the fairways and greens is a must. I think women golfers will love
this product. It eliminates the rubbing that I always seemed to get from a traditional bra while out on
the links. I also really enjoy the fact that the easy-care fabric in the Tee-Bra washes well. Now all I must
do is hit the ball! I want all three colors – white, black, and blue. Once you try it, you'll never go back to
traditional sports bras. (Barge)
SwampButt–Bottoms Up swampbutt.com
Every once in awhile, here at The Golf Guide we receive a product that
we just must try! As we investigated and then sampled SwampButt
Underwear™, we not only grinned with laughter but smiled with satisfied
appreciation. The chuckles came from the “tongue in cheek” approach
the company uses to promote their product, which was conceived after
a round of golf. Just visit the website and you will see what we mean.
Our gratitude comes from someone finally recognizing and tackling a problem that many men have. The
basement has been getting way too hot! SwampButt Underwear performance undergarments are made
from a blend of lycra and polyester fibers where traditional briefs are fashioned from a blend of cotton
and lycra. The combination of moisture wicking fabrics disperses and eliminates dampness (sweat) faster.
SwampButt Underwear comes in handy when you’re fishing, hunting, mowing the lawn, or any activity
where perspiration prevails. Conquer those nasties that go on south of the border. (Ciattei)
42 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
New Products
Nikon Coolshot 80 VR–Securing the Target nikonsportoptics.com
After reviewing the original Nikon Coolshot rangefinder, I was convinced
that I had found the perfect yardage source for my golf game. Nay, nay my
friends. Nikon now has the Coolshot 80 VR (Vibration Reduction), which
confronts and solves a problem many golfers may encounter with their
rangefinders. Like others, I always found it difficult to “lock in” my target
for proper distance calculation. Nikon’s VR system virtually eliminates
that hindrance. The First Target Priority algorithm allows you to measure
the yardage to a flagstick on a green with woods in the background. New models still have the compact
style and fast measurement response that we have always enjoyed, plus they both feature being waterproof
and fog proof. I have come across and reviewed many rangefinders as you might expect, but after just a
couple rounds using the Nikon Coolshot 80 VR, I can safely say that I have secured MY target! (Ciattei)
BroBasket–Give the Man What He Wants thebrobasket.com
BroBasket has created a clever and original concept! Men can show
appreciation and affection to their ladies in so many ways like sending
flowers or gift baskets. When roles are reversed, ladies do not have quite
as many options. Listen up ladies, because I have something your bloke will
really dig. The BroBasket combines the sport your chap loves with some of
his other pleasures, like BOOZE! You can choose from among the dozens of
selections that they have already conceived like Golfer’s Delight Golf Gift
Basket, or you can be more creative and build you own basket. After all, no one knows your man better
than you. Other fun options for your fella include the Poker Night Gift Basket and one of my favorites, the
Bloody Mary. So, a gentle reminder to the fairer sex: skip the tie, no more handkerchiefs. Give us golfers
what we really want, because you know we will reciprocate in the nicest way. (Ciattei)
Tin Cup–Home Team Spirit tin-cup.com
The Tin Cup ball marking system has been one of our favorite products
to review. Why just put a couple dots or lines on your golf ball when you
can easily personalize it with one of the hundreds of designs Tin Cup has
to offer? This time out, we want to talk about your favorite college teams.
Tin Cup carries most of the region’s top universities, including UVA,
Maryland, WVU, Navy, William and Mary, Penn State, and Richmond.
Not only will you be able to identify your tee shot better on the fairway, you will also be able to show your
support for your home team! Each Tin Cup comes with the design template, colorful markers, and a handy
carry bag. Tin Cup has so many clever and creative patterns that it can be difficult to choose one. We’ve
just eliminated the problem of deciding what that next gift for the golfer on your list will be. One of the
PGA Tour’s brightest, young new stars, Bryson DeChambeau, serves now as their brand ambassador. Make
your mark and show your home team spirit. Tin Cup can also be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods. (Ciattei)
Wallaroo Hats–Top of the Leaderboard wallaroohats.com
All golfers, both men and women, need to face the fact that they must
take certain steps when it comes to playing in the bright sun and protect
themselves from the dangers that come with it. There is no better place to
start than at the top. Wallaroo Hats provide some of the best protection
you can have when you step up to the first tee. Wallaroo hats suit all
golfers perfectly because while you concentrate on your backswing, a
Wallaroo hat will block out 97.9% of the sun’s harmful rays thanks to its UPF 50+ rating! I chose the
Palmer design and could not be more pleased. This lightweight fedora just fits right into my lifestyle.
The interior strap gives me a secure fit each time I’m over a shot and the “crushable” feature allows me
to take the Wallaroo wherever I go. One of the great hat companies in America founded by two bright
ladies in Colorado in 1990, Wallaroo has all the styles to put any member of your family on top of the
leaderboard. (Ciattei)
FALL 2017 43
Feature Story
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club Gold Course
18 Karat Makeover
Nick Ciattei
One of Virginia’s premier golf courses, the Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe Golf
Club in Williamsburg reopened with full bravado after an extensive year-long
reconstruction project. “Colonial Williamsburg’s board of trustees has made a
major investment toward the renovation of the Gold Course,” said Mitchell B. Reiss,
Colonial Williamsburg president and CEO. “It is vital that we care for this precious
asset left in our stewardship so that we can offer our guests the premier resort
experience today’s travelers demand.” In what I consider a complete makeover,
golf course architects Rees Jones and Greg Muirhead regrassed the entire playing
surface, rebuilt all the bunkers, and made additional upgrades across the board.
Who could be better to oversee the facelift than Jones,
known as the “Open Doctor” for his tweaking of many
U.S. Open courses. After all it was his famous father,
Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created this masterpiece
of the Commonwealth. The course reopened to the
public on July 1st, and I was lucky enough to preview
the polished gem a couple days earlier. Having played
the Gold Course previously, I waited anxiously to see
the refurbished beauty in all its glory, and it did not
disappoint me. The course felt new and fresh again. The
Northbridge Bermuda grass on the course makes the
course much more resistant to draught while the 007
Bentgrass provides lightning quick greens. It should be
noted here that they took some of the slope out of the
greens during the restoration to compensate for the Rees Jones
quicker green speeds. Additional upgrades included
adding nine forward tees not part of the original design and releveling the iconic
“runway” tee boxes Jones Sr. made famous. For the first time I got to experience the
“Better Billy Bunker” technique that was used in the rebuilding of the sand traps
on the Gold Course. The inventor of the method used, former Augusta National
Superintendent Billy Fuller, oversaw
the upgrade, which improves drainage
and playability. As you will see, they
look fabulous and they created the
best bunkers I’ve ever experienced.
They enhanced the practice area by
substantially expanding the putting
green and added a short game practice
area as well as “target greens” on the
Gold Course "Runway" Tee Box practice range.
I could tell that they didn’t want to tamper much with the original blueprint that
Jones Sr. had cast across this unique piece of land with substantial terrain changes.
There was some shade and crowding issues with trees so they did remove some
44 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Feature Story
to thin out some areas. They also
moved the eighteenth green closer to
the pond, but other than that, I didn’t
notice many differences other than the
outstandingly improved surfaces. If a
better collection of par 3s exist on one
golf course, I have not found them. The
island green par 3 sixteenth, ranked
Gold Course Hole 16 Par 3 & 17 Par 4
among Golf Magazine’s top 500 holes Gold Course Hole 18 Par 4
in the world, has clearly influenced
modern golf architecture, and holes
like the seventeenth at TPC Sawgrass
pay homage to this classic hole. The
Gold Course is revered as one of the
best examples of traditional golf course
architecture in the world and Mr. Jones
called it his “finest design.”
The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club also
has two other courses that make for one
of the best stay and play experiences
Colonial Williamsburg has to offer. The
Green Course, a Rees Jones creation,
opened in 1991 and is carved from
the same terrain but simultaneously
plays longer and more forgiving than
the Gold. Jones, Sr. also designed the
9-hole Spotswood short course named
Green Course Hole 15 Par 5
after colonial Governor Alexander
Spotswood. Built in 1963, it updated the Williamsburg Inn’s original 1947 nine
hole course. In all Golden Horseshow offers 45 walkable holes completely free of
surrounding real estate. The Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe boasts receiving
accolades such as “Top 100 Resort Courses in America”
by Golfweek Magazine and Golf Digest’s “2016 Best Golf
Resorts in the Mid-Atlantic.” It currently ranks number
79 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public
Courses. Accommodation options abound in official
Colonial Williamsburg with 1,000 guest rooms available
in a wide range of prices and distinction. Guests can also
indulge in the 33,000 square foot full-service spa and
culinary options ranging from historic taverns to casual
or elegant dining.
The Gold Course at The Golden Horseshoe has always
been one of the premium golf destinations in Virginia,
and with its recent renewal, it is poised to remain that
way for decades to come.
For more information visit colonialwilliamsburg.com/explore/golf
FALL 2017 45
Golf Destination
Keswick Hall & Golf Club ~ Full Cry Offers Plenty
Nick Ciattei
Any return visit to Keswick Hall & Golf Club near Charlottesville is always greeted
by this writer with open arms. In this instance, I was finally able to tee it up on the
Pete Dye designed Full Cry Golf Course. Since its opening in late 2014, Full Cry has
received plenty of rave reviews, and I am ready to add another glowing assessment
to that list.
The name Full Cry comes from the howl
of the hounds prevalent in this part of
Central Virginia during a hunt. While
my game sometimes warrants such
bellows, only exclamations of joy were
barked on this golf journey. I played
the original Arnold Palmer design at
Keswick back in 2010, so I could barely
wait to see what Mr. Dye had up his
sleeve at Full Cry. The course is built
right on top of the previous layout, but
further comparison ends there. The name “Dye” normally conjures up images of
railroad ties, bulk-headed water hazards, and pot bunkers. A few of those subsist
here, and the lakes and ponds are handsomely graced by stone. But with amenable
challenges, you end up with an ideal resort course that will not beat you up. Every
level of player is considered with five sets of tees ranging from 4800 to over 7100
yards from the tips. The more than generous fairways motivated me to pull out my
driver without hesitation!
The front nine on Full Cry opens with a
par 4 with a creek down the right side
being your main concern. This green,
like many, has a generous opening at
the front. The par 5 second plays uphill
and a large tree protects the left side of
the putting surface. Holes four through
seven are recognized as the hardest
stretch on the golf course. A couple of
solid par 3s sandwich the two tough
Hole 1 Par 4 & Hole 2 Par 5
par 4s on five and six. The latter served
nicely as a setup for my power fade off the tee. Full Cry’s very playable par 5s
include the eighth with Keswick Hall serving as its backdrop. The architect does not
shy away from shorter par 4s. Holes nine, thirteen, and fourteen all play under 300
yards from the white tees. Dye’s brilliance shines here by making you think about
strategy from the tee. A couple of other holes stand out as the routing finishes
strong. Embracing the elements that surround them, the walking bridge to the tee
box on the par 5 seventeenth is cleverly made from an old railroad car, which is
very apropos considering a railroad track borders the entire right side of the hole.
The par 4 finishing hole plays from an elevated tee with water bordering the entire
46 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
Golf Destination
left side. A few very nice features on the
hot summer day I played included ice
machines, fruit, and cold towels provided
at both the front and back nine rest stops.
They certainly came in handy.
The historic Keswick Hall was originally
built in 1912 as the Villa Crawford. This
modern “boutique hotel” has only 48
rooms, so it performs well as an ideal
Hole 6 Par 4
retreat from everyday stress. I’ve never
been disappointed in the meals I’ve eaten here. All-day buffets, poolside service, and
fine dining are all available from either the Villa Crawford Bar or the AAA Four-
Diamond restaurant, Fossett’s. Keswick offers an incredible selection of activities
within the resort, including many outdoor pursuits to enjoy against the beautiful
backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Besides the golf, their three pools include
my favorite, the Horizon Pool. This saltwater pool features breathtaking views
of the countryside and underwater
music! Need I say more? Seven tennis
courts, a plethora of hiking trails and
numerous other outdoor undertakings
can be added to your agenda. I also
recommend a relaxing spa treatment
during your visit. Perfect pampering
including massages, facials, and body
wraps will leave you feeling refreshed
and renewed. As you can see, Keswick
Hole 14 Par 4 Hall offers plenty to do.
Keswick Hall & Golf Club in Charlottesville, Virginia, received a 2017 Golf Digest
Editor's Choice Award in the “Best Golf Resorts in the Americas” category. The Full
Cry Golf Course ranked #3 in Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” in Virginia
and #45 in “Best Resort Courses in the U.S.” Full Cry at Keswick Golf Club is open
exclusively to resort guests and members.
For more information visit keswick.com
FALL 2017 Back Ni4n7e
Accommodations & Packages
AP
48 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM
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Cover Story: Fox Hollow Training Center
Also Featuring: Golden Horseshoe, Meadows Farms, Whiskey Creek
Destination: Western Nebraska, Keswick Hall
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