Virginia Golfer Mar / Apr 2020 | Page 20

A New Identity for Belmont THE HISTORIC RICHMOND COURSE WILL RE-OPEN IN 2021 WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LOOK by JIM DUCIBELLA B elmont Golf Course in Rich- mond will reopen in Spring 2021, though in a form few golfers would have imagined. On Dec. 10, 2019, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors approved awarding a 20-year management contract to the non-profit First Tee of Richmond, which pledged to contribute $3.25 million to what is an estimated $4 million expansion and renovation. The work will be done by Love Golf Design, run by former PGA Tour pro Davis Love III. Henrico County will continue to own the golf course and has pledged $750,000. The course holds a unique place in Vir- ginia golf history. It was designed in 1916 18 by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast, who also was responsible for Winged Foot, Bethpage Black and Baltusrol. Elev- en years later, it was updated by equally renowned architect Donald Ross. Opened as the original Hermitage Country Club, it hosted the 1949 PGA Championship, mak- ing it the only course in Virginia ever to have one of America’s three major cham- pionships contested on its grounds. The plan is to convert the 18-hole course into a six-hole “short course” that First Tee of Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said will honor some of Tillinghast’s iconic par-3s, and a 12-hole Tillinghast-inspired championship course with improved bun- kers, turf and greens. A driving range, V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 0 short-game practice area and putting course will be created. The pro shop and clubhouse will both be improved. “The one thing that we’ve seen in doing the research and being on property with (Love Design) is that over the years Bel- mont has changed a lot, and not neces- sarily for the better and not necessarily relative to Tillinghast,” Schneider said, citing several examples. “It really is not the Belmont that was originally laid out by Tillinghast. While not 18 holes, our hope is to take the other 12 and restore it to the original—as close as we can—understand- ing that it’s 2020.” The First Tee assumed control of the property on Jan.1, at which time the course vsga.org