Pearl
PENINSULA
of the
by DAVID GOULD
Photography by SCOTT K. BROWN
Renovated and redefined, a
former member-owned club
thrives under new ownership
S
Skeeter Heath, a
former VSGA Amateur
champion who played
the PGA T in the
our
1970s and ’80s, doesn’t
mind that the club he
grew up at can’t hold a
candle to its successor.
Heath got his start as a tournament golfer
at Williamsburg Country Club, gaining
membership at age 14 and eventually winning
club-hosted events like the Colonial FourBall with playing partner Curtis Strange.
Childhood memories stir the soul, but the
Williamsburg Club of today will truly knock
your socks off. Occupying the site where
the Heath family enjoyed their summer
recreation years ago, this pure-golf enclave
has made a frog-to-prince transformation,
which it could not have pulled off without
the advice and guidance of Skeeter Heath.
Additionally, the investment capital and
personal dedication of club owner Dwight
Schaubach, one of the region’s most successful
entrepreneurs, was a huge ally. Also credit the
wisdom of consulting PGA professional John
McNeely, whose previous collaboration with
Wayne Huizenga at Diamond Creek Golf
Club in Banner Elk, N.C., had established
McNeely’s reputation nationally. Save
praise, as well, for the knowing touch of
superintendent Jeff Whitmire, who first
served on the WCC greens crew at the tender
age of 12. Nor can the contribution of golf
course architect John LaFoy be forgotten.
He took this rolling upland terrain and
exploited its good bones to craft a collection
of golf holes exuding tradition and character.
RECLAIMING AN AURA OF HERITAGE
With an original nine designed by the
esteemed William Gordon, Williamsburg
Country Club opened for play in 1959,
adding a second nine two years later
before gradually building its renown as an
enjoyable and unpretentious club. Time
fashioned warm memories and attachments
for WCC golfers, but it also took its toll on
the infrastructure. By the late 2000s, this
153-acre property was ready for transition.
Heath, a business-development specialist
in Schaubach’s organization, had persuaded
his community-minded CEO to purchase
the club. The idea was to create something
distinct and rarified for this unique market.
By focusing on the award-winning publicaccess golf destinations of Williamsburg,
one might fail to notice that a traditionminded golf club maintained to the highest
standards could fill an important niche.
“Not too many people get to return to
their roots and help create something very
special, of real value to members and to the
golf traditions of the area,” Heath marvels.
“Thanks to Dwight Schaubach’s resources
and great instincts, I’ve been fortunate
enough to be part of a wonderful team at
At the par-3 12th
hole, players must
be precise with their
shot placement.
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VIRGINIA GOLFER | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013
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