at c()
Member Clubs
Farmer’ s Fruits Realized
Bill Meadows used his nursery notoriety to build one of Virginia’ s most unique tracks | by LEONARD SHAPIRO
Bill Meadows began his professional life as a Northern Virginia school teacher. He shifted gears into the business world, made a fortune and then became known simply as,“ Farmer.” When he had the opportunity to enjoy some leisure time, he turned into a golfer— and eventually— a golf course owner.
And what a golf course— VSGA member club Meadows Farms— he helped design in Locust Grove, the same little town near Fredericksburg where John Daly spent some of his teenage years. In 1994, Meadows and architect Bill Ward designed a unique 18-hole course on a former cattle farm that Meadows owned, and a few years later, added another nine holes.
There are now 28 holes in all, including a practice hole( don’ t tell the USGA) at the start to get the first-tee jitters out of the way. Then, the real fun starts.
For example, there’ s a 172-yard par-3 baseball hole with a diamond and base paths
10 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH / A PRIL 2017 vsga. org