Member Clubs
The popular snack bar is now just steps away from the pro shop . For finer dining , The Reserve is “ an unbelievable restaurant run by Sal Buffa , is open seven days a week and has space all its own ,” says Emerson . “ We have everything here that a private club has .”
CHRIS LANG ( 2 )
The Course Itself “ Those who haven ’ t played here lately ” says superintendent Matt Carlton , “ are noticing the changes to the cart paths , greens and bunkers .”
Notes one recent visitor , “ the new cart paths are like driving on the Autobahn , not like the 40 miles of bad road they used to have .” A “ huge improvement ,” agrees Carlton . “ The varied topography gives the course personality , but its defense has always been the greens ,” says the superintendent . “ They drive our 30,000 annual rounds . This year the greens are a thousand percent better . The Bermuda withstands the summer heat better than Bentgrass , allowing us to cut closer and maintain quicker green speeds .” Seven-time women ’ s club champion Deb Kelo pronounces the new greens “ sweet , quick and rolling true . The changes have made the course more interesting , fun and playable for everyone .”
She ’ ll get no argument from Charlie Smith , a 12.1 index retiree with 22 holesin-one ( 15 at the Highlands ). Smith logs 150 rounds annually — down from 250 several years ago . “ George bought out his partners with the purpose of making the Highlands one of the nicest courses around . He ’ s on his way ,” says Smith .
The newly renovated bunkers are a sight to behold . Over the winter , the Highlands removed 18 and completely rebuilt the remaining 50 , installing capillary concrete to allow for better drainage . Trimmed and reinforced edges hold 1,750 tons of new sand , especially on the higher faces . Carlton ’ s maintenance crew rakes all 50 five days a week and provides required touchup service on the other two days .
Four golf professionals service active men ’ s and women ’ s groups , junior golf programs , league players and a thriving lesson business . Head professional Troy Thorne , a long-time fixture at Hobbs Hole , is the newest staff addition . “ In my short time here , I have seen just how busy this course can be ,” he says . “ The membership numbers ( currently 220 +) continue to grow weekly .”
Since his arrival , Thorne has gotten to know the course well . “ The toughest hole on the front nine is No . 5 . It is a long par 3 with no bailout area . Once on the green , there are several slopes to further challenge the golfer . On the back nine , the toughest hole is No . 13 , a long dogleg right par 4 with bunkers on the corner . The second shot is played to an elevated green
TEES RATING / SLOPE YARDAGE Gold Blue Black White Green Silver
72.1 / 140 760.4 / 136 67.3 / 128 64.1 / 118 ( M ) 62.8 / 113 ( M ) 62.8 / 113
The par-5 14th hole at The Golf Club at the Highlands .
THE GOLF CLUB AT THE HIGHLANDS
6565 6176 5859 5564 4812 4430 with lots of slope , so getting up and down is very difficult .
“ From a scratch player ’ s perspective the yardage may seem short , but the tight tee shots and undulating greens are a challenge . It will take a few rounds to acquire local knowledge of where to leave approach shots for the best putt at birdie . The firmness and speed of the greens will give these players the feel of a State Open tournament day ,” he says . “ Someone with a 10 index will find the course very enjoyable as long as they play from the appropriate yardage . It tends to play short thanks to several downhill tee shots and firm fairways . Solid wedge players will walk away with a good score most days .
“ Higher handicap players will find some holes difficult because of a few forced carries . However , there are several slopes designed to save wayward shots . We have lots of members in the 20 + handicap range and they find it to be very playable . The greens , for all skill levels , will always be the course protector ,” says Thorne .
“ Mr . Emerson wants the Highlands to be the best conditioned course in the Richmond area while keeping prices affordable ,” says the head pro . Green fees are $ 65 ( seniors $ 55 ) Monday-Friday and $ 76 on weekends . “ Our new Bermuda greens are getting rave reviews and they seem to be getting better every day . Golfers can expect a warm welcome and a beautifully maintained golf course every time they play ,” says Thorne .
And what golfer doesn ’ t want that ?
Michael J . Stott ’ s critically acclaimed coming-of-age golf novel , “ Too Much Loft ,” is in its second edition and is available from store . Bookbaby . com , Amazon , B & N and book distributors worldwide .
vsga . org J ULY / A UGUST 2022 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 11