THE FIRST TEE OF GREATER RICHMOND mont Park Golf Course , in 1977 . As time progressed , Belmont faced an uncertain future fueled by years of financial losses .
“ The municipal golf business is brutal . It ’ s difficult to generate any kind of capital reserve to reinvest in the course ,” Luther says . “ The course was well-maintained with the limitations we had , but when you are losing money every year , it becomes harder and harder to justify the financials .”
RESCUE , RESTORE , REINVENT Because of Belmont ’ s history , two groups , Friends of Belmont Golf Course and Preserve Belmont , wanted the county to maintain and improve the original 18 holes .
“ The county wanted to keep it as a golf course and was looking for a way to do that to relieve the financial burden off the general tax base . It was hard to see a way that a private operator was going to make a go of it ,” Luther says . “ With First Tee stepping in with the ability to fundraise , recognizing the history of the course , it was just a fantastic moment .”
When Davis Love first saw the course , he said his reaction was , “ We ’ ve got to keep it 18 holes , and we ’ ve got to put it back just like it was .”
He was told he couldn ’ t do that . There were issues : no driving range and the 18-hole course couldn ’ t be put back exactly the way it was because the clubhouse and widening of Hilliard Road had affected some holes .
“ If I have a ’ 57 Chevy , I want it to look like it did coming off the assembly line . I want it exact . I don ’ t want to add or take away . When you say all right we can ’ t do that , but here ’ s what we need ; here ’ s what is going to make this work for the community and for the kids , then you realize we can make it
“ We went through some difficult times convincing people this was going to be a good outcome . I think folks are in for a treat .” — Neil Luther , director of Henrico County Recreation and Parks
our new invention ,” Love said . “ I think it ’ s a reinvention of the future of golf .”
Brent Schneider , chief executive officer of The First Tee of Greater Richmond , fielded a lot of questions about protecting and preserving the original layout and other concerns .
“ I ’ m happy to report the results are a true restoration where we have done our homework . The greens are back to their original status , and I think it is something Tillinghast would be proud of … and Ross and all the people who have played here over the years ,” Schneider said . “ One really cool thing is after Davis and his team are through here , there are five World Golf Hall of Famers ( Snead , Hogan , Tillinghast , Ross and Love ) who have been impactful on this property .
Holes 1-5 from the original Belmont layout will now serve as a par-3 course .
vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2021 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 23