TheVirginia Explorer
CAVERNS COUNTRY
CLUB RESORT
24
THE HOMESTEAD
LURAY CAVERNS
Those on a budget should note, too, the
very reasonable rates. Overnight stay-andplay packages, including green fees and cart,
start as low as $93 per person, while you can
play 18 holes with a cart for as little as $30
depending on time of day.
For another wonderful experience,
check out the Birdwood Golf Course and
the Boar’s Head Inn (Charlottesville, Va.,
boarsheadinn.com, 855-453-2295).
The Boar’s Head Inn is laid out on
500 acres on the cusp of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, with a keen eye toward both
natural beauty and challenging golf. The
Birdwood Golf Course earned a 4.5-star
rating from Golf Digest in 2014 and is
regarded as one of the top college golf
courses in the country, home to the
University of Virginia Golf Team.
If you are considering a visit with an eye
toward a couple’s golf and relaxation retreat,
V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
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in the Shenandoah Valley, with the Blue
Ridge Mountains providing an aweinspiring backdrop.
Considered one of the most scenic spots
in the area, this par-72 course plays at nearly
6,500 yards from the tips. If you can stay away
from the many mature trees, you will find
yourself on much more forgiving ground as
you approach large greens.
Stay-and-play packages including two
nights of accommodations and unlimited golf
start at $249, and if you do go for an extended
stay, make sure to explore the nearby Luray
Caverns, a natural marvel of the area.
The Pete Dye River Course of Virginia
Tech (Radford, Va., petedyerivercourse.com, 540633-6732) is a relative newcomer, but it more
than holds its own. Nestled between the New
River and Blue Ridge Mountains, this course
plays to a whopping 7,685 yards from the
farthest tips, but is still manageable for the
average player. Dye took full advantage of the
site’s terrain, running eight holes right along
the edge of the river.
Pot bunkers and small greens add to the
challenge, but with a design created with
the beauty of the area in mind, you might
not even be too upset if your score starts
creeping up.
The views are equally magnificent at Olde
Mill Golf Club (Laurel Fork, Va., oldmill.net,
800-753-5005).
In addition to a prime location in the
mountains just a few miles north of the
North Carolina border, the Ellis Maples
course features a 54-acre lake that adds to
the scenery—and the difficulty of plenty of
shots. This is a good course for a group that
has mixed abilities because it is equal parts
challenging and forgiving.
THE GREENBRIER
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