GREAT Holes
No.18
BRICKSHIRE GOLF CLUB
PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA. | by BRUCE H. MATSON
PAR 5
YARDAGES
BLACK:
566 yards
BURGUNDY:
532 yards
BLUE:
6
GOLD:
445 yards
519 yards
and good reason to select one path as opposed
to other options. Furthermore, a great hole
often offers different ways for players of
varying skill levels to not only enjoy the hole,
but permit them to attack it with an approach
designed around their strengths. As the hole
concludes, it usually has a putting surface with
interesting contours to make the final strokes
challenging, even if subtle.
The par-5 18th at Brickshire holds up well
against a great holes test. That’s because the
hole relies on the natural lay of the land as
it winds right along a lakeshore back to the
clubhouse. Golfers must also avoid bunkers
ready to swallow up errant shots. These
features require players to design an approach
to the green and one that fits their game. With
water to the right on each shot, the aggressive
play would be to hug the right side, then try to
carry the hazard protecting the green. By any
standard, this is a heroic play because success
could lead to an eagle or birdie, but missing
to the right or short will all but assure bogey
or worse.
At the last, closing with a birdie is a real
possibility. With a conservative drive and a
smart layup, players are left with the type of
V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ANUARY/F EBRUARY 2015
06_VSGA_JanFeb15.indd 6
487 yards
shot best suited to his or her game to navigate
the challenges provided by the hole’s green
complex. Bunkering near the center of the
wide fairway requires a tactical mindset before
striking the second shot. The small, wellprotected green requires an aerial approach
due to an inlet from the lake, making the
green almost an island because water comes in
behind the putting surface. The green features
modest contours, giving players some respite
after navigating such a challenging route.
No. 18 has the potential to leave golfers with
a lasting impression of how a distinct hole
should be played.
Golfers have the opportunity to experience
Brickshire firsthand as the club participates
in the VSGA VIP Card Program and is set
to host a VSGA One-Day event on July 2.
Author Bruce H. Matson is a writer and golf
historian from Richmond and serves on the
VSGA’s board of directors. He is a member of
Golfweek’s national rating panel for its
“America’s Best 100 Courses.”
AIDAN BRADLEY
O
pened in 2001, Brickshire
Golf Club is a Curtis Strange
signature course that weaves
through an 1,100-acre
residential subdivision of
rolling hills and woodlands.
Located just off Interstate 64 in N