Michael Shaps
Another favorite course in the area is Full Cry at Keswick Hall . While not open to daily play , it is certainly worth staying at the gorgeously appointed Keswick Hall resort . It ’ s only a short 20 minutes from downtown Charlottesville and a perfect weekend retreat . The course is one of the last completed by Pete and Alice Dye before their deaths . It hits on a lot of design elements from their entire career but really leans on strategy and the proper line of play off the tee to score well .
SOUTHWEST
If you find yourself in the Roanoke area , there are numerous enjoyable golf destinations , but one worth a visit is Blue Hills Golf Club . Opened in 1957 and constructed by numerous charter members and their first professional — Clarence King — using not much more than garden equipment and consumer machinery , today it ’ s firmly in the hidden gem category .
Sitting naturally across the land , Blue Hills offers mountain views and the perfect place to learn the game or call out sick for a walk in the park with your clubs . Stretching out to a shade under 6,500 yards , this course has enough interesting features to keep your attention and scenery to match .
Keswick
Just a 20-minute drive from Smith Mountain Lake , Roanoke and Bedford sits Fables & Feathers Winery , owned by Tom and Pam Luedtke . Newly opened in the spring of 2021 , this family affair moved from Illinois down to Goodview , Va ., when they saw the opportunity to buy and revamp the former White Rock Winery .
Fast forward and the Luedtkes are making wine , beer , and cider that won ’ t stay just for locals much longer . With great views and family service with a smile , what more could you ask for ? Maybe a flight will do just fine .
Riverfront Golf Club was one of Tom Doak ’ s earliest designs .
SOUTHEAST
One of the best golf course architects of the last 20 years is without a doubt Tom Doak . With numerous Top 100 courses to his name most golf nuts can rattle off at least a couple of the big ones like Pacific Dunes or Streamsong Blue . But did you know one of his earliest courses is actually in Suffolk ?
Opened in 1999 ( two years before Pacific Dunes ), Riverfront Golf Club is laid out along fingers of tidal marsh at the edge of the Nansemond River . To this day , the course features one of the best sets of greens and bunkers Doak has produced , all for a modest daily-fee price . While it ’ s not a Top 100 course , getting to see an architect ’ s work from very early in their career is certainly worth doing .
And while you ’ re around the Tidewater region it ’ s also worth stopping into Summerwind Vineyard . Owned and operated by the Pugh family , the property sits on a strip of land lying between the James and Pagan Rivers which allows them to take full advantage of the river breezes . Try all the wines , but don ’ t skip the choose-your-ownadventure charcuterie board .
No matter the region you find yourself in the Commonwealth , there are more than enough options to enjoy a round at the course and a nearby tasting room .
Carriage House Winery
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