WESTERN VIRGINIA
➽TOP PICK
OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT’ S CASCADES COURSE
THERE’ S A MOMENT when you reach the 13th green at the venerable Cascades that the world seems to melt away. A stream babbles along the left side of the hole, animals scamper through the woods behind it. Cell service is non-existent. The quiet, frankly, is breathtaking. But don’ t get so lost in the scenery that you miss what makes the Cascades one of the nation’ s top mountain layouts.
William Flynn provided the original blueprint in 1923, and Robert Trent Jones redesigned the course nearly 40 years later. A 2005 renovation helped restore Flynn’ s original bunkering, which is especially apparent on the 12th and 13th holes. Last year, a tree removal program helped expose some of the creeks running along the fairways. With so many downhill shots to sloping fairways, strategy is paramount, and you may not play the course the same way twice.
The Cascades ranked 27th on Golf Digest’ s 2017 – 18 list of America’ s top 100 public courses, the best ranking of any course in the Commonwealth. One loop around the layout will show you why it’ s held in such high esteem.
COST BREAKDOWN $ 175 –$ 300 per round, depending on time of day and year.
The Cascades is widely considered the nation’ s top mountain track— and it’ s easy to see why.
FUN FACT The Cascades has hosted numerous USGA and VSGA championships and is a yearly site for qualifying for the U. S. Senior Open championship.
DON’ T MISS
Head east on Interstate 64 toward I-81 south and the New River Valley and make sure to stop in Radford at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. The home course of Virginia Tech and Radford’ s programs hosted the 2016 VSGA Amateur Championship and is one of the longest and most challenging layouts in the state. Several holes cling to the New River, and the post-round view from the balcony overlooking the 18th green is something to behold. The public can play for $ 55 to $ 89, with lower rates for Virginia Tech and Radford students, faculty and staff.
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
➽TOP PICK
SPRING CREEK GOLF CLUB
COURSE DESIGNER Ed Carton had his hand in two excellent Central Virginia designs: Spring Creek and Amherst County’ s Poplar Grove Golf Club. Carton associated with the likes of Sam Snead, Tom Fazio and Raymond Floyd during his time as a senior design associate at Hurdzan Golf, and it shows in Spring Creek’ s layout. Much like at Poplar Grove, exquisite bunkering is a major feature. Spring Creek’ s location just outside of Charlottesville lends to pleasant views of the Blue Ridge in the distance.
The finishing hole, the par-5 18th, features a two-tiered landing area on the fairway and a lake that runs along the left side of the hole, making the approach into the well-guarded green a challenge. Carton’ s goal, he said, was to create a golf course that was playable for high-handicap players yet challenging for tournament players. The best of both worlds can be found at Spring Creek, which ranked No. 66 on Golf Digest’ s Top 100 public courses list.
COST BREAKDOWN $ 60 –$ 125 per round, depending on time of day and year.
FUN FACT
Jake Mondy won the second of his two VSGA Amateur titles at Spring Creek in 2014, fending off a spirited comeback from Jordan Utley.
DON’ T MISS
Just up the road from Spring Creek, Keswick Hall’ s iconic hotel and resort is closed for renovation in 2018, but the resort’ s famed Full Cry golf course remains open for business. Unaccompanied guests can play for $ 140, plus cart fee. The 18-hole Pete Dye layout is as challenging as it is eye-catching. Charlottesville’ s Birdwood— home of the University of Virginia’ s golf teams— is set to undergo a major renovation in the fall but it is open for business this summer. Public rates range from $ 69 to $ 89 plus cart.
IMAGES COURESY OF THE COURSES
32 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2018 vsga. org