Virginia Golfer May/June 2014 | Page 10

GREAT Holes

No.11

PAR 4
YARDAGES
BLACK:

RUTHER GLEN, VA. | by BRUCE H. MATSON

S

ince the course opened in
2005, Mattaponi Springs Golf
Club has been among the
most popular public venues
for golfers throughout the
commonwealth and beyond.
The layout derives its name from local
rivers that meander nearby and a Native
American tribe that once populated the
area. The land features a natural setting
with interesting topography, as well
as a wonderful variety of hardwoods,
especially native beech and evergreen
trees. Complemented by wetlands, lakes
and streams, the location adds to the
experience of getting away for a great day
of camaraderie and challenge.
As attractive as the surrounding
environment is for the game, the challenges
and interest of the golf surpasses the
accompanying aesthetics. Mattaponi Springs
may be best known for its zoysiagrass
fairways, which allow the ball to sit
invitingly high on the fairway. Rescue clubs
and fairway woods play particularly well off
these clean lies, which may be important on

8

V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 4

Master_VSGA_MayJune14.indd 8

BLUE:

371 yards

GOLD:

great holes like the par-4 11th.
Golf course architect Bob Lohmann
provided a stern test for players at No. 11.
The hole plays slightly downhill off the
tee and is followed by an approach to
an elevated green. Like all well-designed
holes that have alternate fairways, players
not only have options from the tee, but
strategic, risk-reward elements are everpresent. The more inviting, open and
easier route is to play left. However, even a
successful drive on that line leaves a long,
uphill approach to a putting surface that
is better positioned to receive a shot from
the right side. Precision is required for
those electing to play to the right, but an
accurate drive will result in a shorter play
and an angle that tends to fit the eye on
the second shot.
With the green sitting into and at
the top of a crest, reaching the putting
surface in regulation is paramount to
making par or having an opportunity for a
memorable birdie. The carry distance and
the magnitude of the ridge must be judged
properly; approaches that come up short

358 yards

WHITE:

364 yards

RED:

290 yards

result in shots on or around the putting
surface that require an exacting touch. The
green is undulating, and its placement on
the swale also calls for care in reading both
the break and the speed of putts. A visually
distinct hole, players walking away with
a par have probably gained a shot on the
field in stroke play or won the hole in a
match play setting.
A supporter of the VSGA, the club has
hosted association-run championships in
the past, and golfers can experience the
course first-hand by participating in a
VSGA One-Day event being conducted
at the club on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Mattaponi
Springs also offers privileges as part of the
VSGA VIP Card Program.
Author Bruce H. Matson is a writer and golf
historian from Richmond and serves on the
VSGA’s board of directors. He is a member
of Golfweek’s national rating panel for its
“America’s Best 100 Courses.”

© L. C. LAMBRECHT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

MATTAPONI SPRINGS GOLF CLUB

413 yards

w w w. v s g a . o r g

5/1/14 12:42 PM