Spicing up the OFFSEASON
The Gourmet Game
Many golfers conclude their on-course activities with an off-course gustatory happy ending , an important event for clubs given that F & B revenues can account for up to 30 percent of their overall revenue . Six clubs in Virginia known for pleasing a palate include :
River Bend Club , Great Falls
Farmington Country Club , Charlottesville
Keswick Club , Keswick
Belle Haven Country Club , Alexandria
Independence Golf Club , Midlothian
The Golden Horseshoe , Williamsburg
Holiday Cheer
Many clubs opt for special events during the holiday period . In December , Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach kicked off its winter golf season with Par 3 Night Golf .
“ We had a beautiful night and a great turnout ,” says head professional Patrick Beverley . “ We are also fortunate to have an indoor simulator and do club fittings yearround . In January we had three demo days in our indoor room with some new equipment from XXIO as well as a three-club event . In February , we held a four-person Captain ’ s Choice that helped lead us to our first scheduled event in March .”
While many country clubs in recent years have increased their family-centric activities , the adult social component remains the leader in the clubhouse . In Manakin-Sabot , Hermitage Country Club continues a December golf tradition in which members dress in Christmas onesies ( think Santa , elves , reindeer , etc .) and play 18 holes in all kinds of weather . “ This year we had a gorgeous day ,” says Hermitage director of golf Craig Callens .
All clubs have stepped up their games , acknowledging that green grass institutions must offer more than golf to stay alive .”
— Stuart Lindsay , Edgehill Golf Advisors
In addition to its normal lesson business , player and club evaluation , regripping and apparel sales , the club has added a SAM Putt Lab which “ has been a great tool for honing golf skills in the wintertime ,” he says .
The club also runs holiday golf camps for youngsters ages 8-12 concentrating on the game ’ s basics . In January , Hermitage hosted the VSGA ’ s Annual Meeting which honored club members Sam Beach ( men ’ s ) and David Partridge ( super senior men ’ s ) as association golfers of the year .
But make no mistake , golf remains the raison d état for many memberships in both public and private facilities . And what better time for winter than game improvement . In Fairfax County golfers of all ages have abundant beginning-to-advanced options through public and private instruction at such golf academies as Pinecrest Golf Course ( Alexandria ) and Burke Lake Golf Center ( Fairfax Station ). Pinecrest has three indoor heated hitting bays paired with an indoor simulator while Burke Lake has , as does the Oakmont Golf Center in Oakton , a double decker driving range with a heated lower level .
“ We are currently reimagining and reintroducing the indoor simulator room powered by Trackman at Pinecrest ,” says Fairfax County Parks Authority director of Golf Operations Ryan Carmen . “ We opened the indoor sim room to the public in 2018 . It ’ s obviously busiest during the winter months and hasn ’ t yet reached its full potential , but we are updating the
24 V IRGINIA G OLFER | MARCH / A PRIL 2024 vsga . org