Virginia Golfer March/April 2014 | Page 10

GREAT Holes No.16 PAR 4 YARDAGES CLIFTON, VA. | by BRUCE H. MATSON 384 yards BLUE: 354 yards W hen Westfields Golf Club opened in 1999, the layout was highly regarded and received a ‘Best New Course’ nomination from Golf Digest. Despite the industry’s hypothetical build-acourse-a-day movement in the 1990s, the public’s interest and the club’s reputation has remained strong. Westfields is known as a Fred Couples signature course, although golf course architect Gene Bates was Couples’ partner in the design process. Bates worked with Jack Nicklaus as a part of the legend’s architectural team for many years. Among the well-known courses where Bates assisted Nicklaus are PGA West, Kauai Lagoons Golf Club and Valhalla Golf Club. Later, Bates formed his own firm, but still teamed with Couples on a number of design projects, including Heron Ridge Golf Club in Virginia Beach. Located outside of Clifton and just east of the Manassas Battlefield Park, Westfields offers players a respite from ho