GreatHoles
HOLE NO.
18
Bull Run Golf Club By Josh Apple, PGA
Nestled in the foothills of the mountains in Haymarket, Bull Run Golf Club is viewed as one of the top public courses in Virginia. Built in 1998 by architect Rick Jacobson, the property stretches across more than 450 acres. The par-72 design is just shy of 7,000 yards from the black tees with a great variety of short, gettable holes and long, demanding holes. The course is part of the Raspberry Golf Trail, which includes other Virginia public tracks like Raspberry Falls, Old Hickory, and Augustine. Bull Run hosted VSGA Amateur / State Open qualifying in 2023.
RISK / REWARD FINISH
Like most memorable closing par 5s, the final hole at Bull Run offers an excellent risk / reward opportunity. Although the hole is 550 yards from the back tee, it plays shorter due to the downhill tee shot. For the longer hitters who can get past the left fairway bunker and use the slope to get down the fairway far enough, the hole presents the chance to go for the green over a large body of water. The two-tiered green is long front to back but its narrow width makes the approach from outside 200 yards rather difficult— even for players who can carry the penalty area. The narrow green is framed by two bunkers right and one bunker left. For those players who take on the risk but fail to cover the water, a drop from a long distance over the hazard.
OUTSTANDING FEATURE
Just across the penalty area sits a large tree that presents additional challenges. For players attempting to take on the risk of going for the green in two, the tree becomes a major factor. A tee ball on the right side of the fairway puts the golfer in a position to hit over the water and be high enough to clear the tree. The tree can even affect an approach from the center of the fairway for a draw player. For those players electing to lay up to the fairway across the water, the tree forces a shot well out to the right of the green.
CHRIS LANG
12 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2026