GREAT Holes
No.8
THE WATER’S EDGE COUNTRY CLUB
PENHOOK, VA. | by BRUCE H. MATSON
PAR 4
YARDAGES
EDGE:
401 yards
BLUE:
RED:
373 yards
WHITE:
THE WATER’S EDGE COUNTRY CLUB
S
mith Mountain Lake was
created in the 1960s when the
Roanoke River in Franklin
County was damned by the
Corp of Engineers to generate
electricity. It would ultimately take a couple
of decades for accompanying recreational
activities, real estate development and golf
courses to be introduced to the area. With
500 miles of shoreline, it’s no surprise
that some magnates eventually populated
the lake with four different layouts near
lakeside properties.
Originally designed by Raymond
“Buddy” Loving Jr., The Water’s Edge
Country Club opened in 1988 and earned
immediate recognition as one of the
finest new courses in Virginia. Loving
learned the craft from his grandfather,
the pioneering Fred Findlay, who is
responsible for more design work in
Virginia than any other architect. The
Water’s Edge has continued to be a mustplay course, having received a $5 millionplus facelift in 2007 under the care of golf
course architect Richard Mandell.
The par-4 eighth hole reminds players
of the shot values ever present at The
Water’s Edge. No. 8 starts with a teeing
w w w. v s g a . o r g
310 yards
YELLOW:
317 yards
ground alongside the lake, just beyond the
picturesque par-3 island seventh hole—yes,
an island hole, not just an island green.
Although the eighth takes golfers up a hill
and away from the water, the aesthetic appeal
offered by many holes highlight the beauty
of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
The fairly tight uphill tee shot serves as a
reminder that the course features interesting,
but not severe, elevation changes despite
being so close to the lake. Depending on
one’s ability to avoid a fairway bunker on
the right and trees left (there’s also a church
on the left), players can be left with anything
from a short- to mid-iron or a hybrid club
on their approach. The green features a false
front, so any shot that lands short will likely
leave a delicate chip or short pitch shot.
Mandell moved the putting surface 15 yards
to the left at the eighth to accommodate
back right hole locations.
The topography adds considerable
interest and diversity to one’s playing
experience. Additionally, deciduous and
evergreen trees heavily populate the
lakeshore. Golfers favoring the right side
off the tee at No. 8 must negotiate a
large tree situated near the green on
their second shot. Surrounding hills
261 yards
give the course the look of being carved
through hardwoods, as well as allowing
for captivating sightlines complemented
by a natural feel. This is particularly
apparent when players look back down
the hill toward the lake.
Combined, these characteristics result in
a layout that presents a collage of color
and magnificent vistas during autumn golf.
The playing corridors challenge players
from the teeing grounds and on approach
shots, including at No. 8. Similar to the
rest of the course, both the shotmaking
demands and the aesthetic beauty at the
eighth hole are right in front of you. There’s
nothing gimmicky or over-designed about
the layout—it’s a fair test of golf on a pretty
parcel of land.
The Water’s Edge Country Club is a
longtime supporter of the VSGA, and the
club is scheduled to host the 2014 VSGA
Senior Four-Ball Championship.
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.”
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