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Member Clubs
Pot bunkers were added to the fairway on the short , uphill par-4 13th .
“ Keswick players love the railroad ties in some bunkers and they like the visual changes .”
— TROY FINK , superintendent at Keswick
the bunkers , and adding more rail ties has improved the hole visually by miles ,” Fink said .
Hole 13 and hole 14 , two short par 4s , have become more visually stimulating and strategically challenging . On hole 13 , fairway bunkering has been added to the left rough as have two mid-fairway pot hazards and another greenside back edge impediment . “ Poor execution here exacts a consequence ,” Fink said . While back tee length remains , a new forward tee allows shorter hitters to enjoy the same strategy required by the longer players .
On picturesque hole 14 , Sherman added a short 2-4 foot tall wall of vertically resting railroad ties . “ They make a golfer think going left is more deadly than it
IN CONCERT WITH ITS PHYSICAL CHANGES , Keswick is in growth mode , offering a restructured membership with a financial benefit to non-resident members . Four categories are available to families and to individuals , either as a 40 + or young executive ( ages 21-39 ).
KESWICK Residing within 40 miles of Keswick
• Family enrollment fee $ 30K , monthly $ 700 ; Individual enrollment $ 20K , monthly $ 590
• Young executive enrollment fee $ 18K , monthly $ 495 , Individual enrollment $ 15K , monthly $ 420
COMMONWEALTH 41-100 miles from Keswick
• Family enrollment fee $ 10K , monthly $ 340 ; Individual enrollment $ 8K , monthly $ 315
• Young executive enrollment fee $ 6K , monthly $ 290 , Individual enrollment $ 5K , monthly $ 255
MID-ATLANTIC 101-300 miles from Keswick
• Family enrollment fee $ 6K , monthly $ 285 ; Individual enrollment $ 5K , monthly $ 260
• Young executive enrollment fee $ 4.5K , monthly $ 230 , Individual enrollment $ 4K , monthly $ 200
NATIONAL 301 + miles from Keswick
• Family enrollment fee $ 5K , monthly $ 230 ; Individual enrollment $ 4K , monthly $ 205
• Young executive enrollment fee $ 3.5K , monthly $ 175 , Individual enrollment $ 3K , monthly $ 145
really is ,” Fink said . A change to bunkering on the right warns golfers to stay away . A large fairway bunker has a 4-6 foot tall rail tie bulkhead on its outer edge demanding precision from the tee . “ When you stand on the tee , the rail tie features accentuate the already spectacular mountain view in the distance ,” Fink said . “ One of the best on the course .”
From a playing standpoint , course length has remained basically the same ( 7,134 yards ). Fink says response to the course changes from the members has been positive . “ I don ’ t hear any negative stuff , but politely I hear , ‘ we have a bunker in the middle of the fairway now .’ It ’ s new to them . There are a lot of bunkers in the middle of fairways in Scotland ,” Fink said . Bottom line , “ Keswick players love the railroad ties in some bunkers and they like the visual changes ,” he said . “ What I know is the scoring isn ’ t any different , but the thinking is . For example , golfers used to not like hole 7 , now it ’ s a favorite .”
When they began the latest Keswick renovation the Hardies ’ goal was for the distinctive Full Cry course and the elegant resort buildings to complement one another . Mission accomplished . “ If you want a really nice high-end experience , find one better than Keswick ,” challenges McNamara . “ It ’ s like a field of dreams .”
In a countryside where grace and gentility reign supreme , Keswick in adorned splendor , awaits guests seeking rest , respite and recreation . Come on in .
TROY FINK ( 2 )
12 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2023 vsga . org