After a major renovation, the Gold Course reopened last summer with an array of new challenges and surprises.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
➽TOP PICK:
POTOMAC SHORES GOLF CLUB
THE ONLY public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in the D. C. area carves its way through mature hardwood forests overlooking the Potomac River, just south of Washington in Prince William County. With four sets of tees— ranked ninth in Golfweek’ s 2018 state-by-state ranking of courses you can play— is Potomac Shores is friendly to all levels of player, and the best can tee it up from 7,020 yards. The course features elevated tees, plenty of bunkers, wetlands and water hazards.
COST BREAKDOWN $ 62 –$ 115, with dynamic pricing.
FUN FACT Potomac Shores will host two VSGA One-Day Events in 2018
( May 30 and Oct. 31) and is part of the VSGA’ s VIP Golf Card program.
DON’ T MISS
Part of the expansive Fairfax County Parks system, Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton occupies the former home of a D. C. Department of Corrections facility. You can even still see guard towers from the 13th fairway. But this isn’ t just a quirky layout. Laurel Hill has hosted multiple VSGA championships and the 2013 U. S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Rates are reasonable, ranging from $ 34 to $ 99 during summer prime-time hours.
WILLIAMSBURG / RICHMOND
➽TOP PICK
GOLDEN HORSESHOE GOLF CLUB( GOLD)
ROBERT TRENT JONES SR. built the original Gold layout in 1963, and son Rees Jones’ design team spearheaded a major renovation effort, and the new-look Gold Course re-opened to rave reviews in mid-summer 2017. With re-leveled, resurfaced and reimagined teeing grounds along with rebuilt“ Better Billy” bunkers, the Gold Course was restored to its original glory with an eye toward the future.
New sets of tees encourage forward play. From the tips, the Gold is a world-class challenge. And the views from the four par 3s are spectacular.
The Gold remains a mainstay on Golf Digest’ s Top 100 public list, checking in at No. 79 for 2017 – 18.
COST BREAKDOWN $ 79 –$ 169, depending on time of day and year.
FUN FACT
The Virginia team tied with Minnesota for second place in 1999 when the Gold Course hosted the USGA State Team Championship. Texas won by one stroke.
The par-4 11th at Potomac is a fan favorite for both its beauty and bunker enclave.
DON’ T MISS
New Kent County is a sneaky hotbed of affordable public golf. The Rees Jones designed The Club at Viniterra, about a 20-mile drive east of downtown Richmond, is adjacent to the New Kent Winery and features an 18-hole championship course ranked eighth on a Golfweek list of courses you can play in Virginia. … Midlothian’ s Independence Golf Club is ranked seventh on Golfweek’ s courses-you-can-play list. It’ s hosted multiple State Opens of Virginia and features also a nine-hole short course.
IMAGES COURESY OF THE COURSES
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