Virginia Golfer July / August 2014 | Page 25

STEPHEN SZURLEJ/GOLF DIGEST/© CONDÉ NAST

memberships. Spring Creek is open to
the public from Monday through Friday.
Member play takes priority on weekends.
Beautifully groomed, this versatile,
strategic test, ranging from 7,389 to 4,781
yards and surfaced in bentgrass from tee
to green, rises and falls over rolling hills
framed by thick woods, stacked-stone walls
and rock bridges. Reminders of civilization
are far removed from this pristine outpost,
which has become a favorite with Virginia
golfers since the club’s debut in 2006.
Spring Creek was laid out by Ed Carton,
a former Tom Fazio design associate who
collaborated with Sam Snead at Poplar

w w w. v s g a . o r g

Grove in Amherst, Va. He also partnered
with Gary Player and Ray Floyd on several
projects.
“I tried to make Spring Creek Fazioesque,” Carton explains.
To his point, the course is visually
appealing and perfectly blended into the
environment. Like his mentor’s courses,
Carton’s design is very naturalistic—and
very playable, with open entry greens at
every hole. The large sculpted bunkers
appear ominous, but they’re mainly
deployed to signpost the holes. Spring
Creek presents a championship-caliber
test from the back markers, but the club

Charlottesville-area charm and
tranquility abound at Spring Creek.

has developed a loyal following among
those who play the forward tees.
The Spring Creek Sports Club, a
9,500-square-foot facility, features a
25-meter pool, a toddler wading pool, a
complete cardio and aerobic fitness center,
meeting space, banquet rooms, as well as
other amenities. Spring Creek’s expansive
clubhouse is set to have a full-service
restaurant, golf shop, locker rooms and
event space for golf events and weddings.
(springcreekgolfclub.com)

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