GreAt Holes
pAr 4
No.2
YARDAGES
bLAcK:
446 yards
BRISTOL, VA. | by BrUCe H. MaTSon
T
hose who think that the western
edge of the commonwealth is
somewhere around Roanoke
and Blacksburg may be surprised
to learn about The Olde Farm,
an extraordinary private golf-only club in
Bristol, two hours west of the Star City.
Situated in southwest Virginia, 80 percent
of the club’s membership hails from more
than 100 miles away, making word of mouth
about the course less effective. But let this
hidden gem remain a secret no longer––
The Olde Farm ranks as not only one of
the finest golf experiences in Virginia, but
among the very best in America.
The very location of the club is a benefit
more than a burden, and its amenities,
atmosphere and service are a perfect
complement to the experience of a round
at The Olde Farm. The course was laid out
by Bobby Weed, who apprenticed under
Pete Dye and is known for developing
several Tournament Players Club layouts.
The Olde Farm is Weed’s breakout design.
In 2000, Golf Digest recognized this visuallycaptivating property as the “Best New
Private Course” in the United States.
14
WHIte:
371 yards
“I had a lot to work with. The golf course
was there before I got there,” Weed says. “It
flowed very nicely in a north-south routing.
We broke ground the weekend of July 4 and
I was home at Christmas, finished. It’s the
fastest golf course I’ve ever built.”
The golf course at The Olde Farm is
a throwback to the golden age of golf
course architecture, where design followed
the natural contours and little dirt was
moved or mounded. The Olde Farm’s
landscape also reintroduces more of a linksstyle game. The track plays firmer, faster
and requires some running shots and a
sophisticated ground game. The neo-classic
course completes the theme by utilizing
fine and field fescue grasses to add texture
and color contrast to the environment.
Tees, greens and fairways are bentgrass,
while Kentucky bluegrass is the primary cut
through the green. Rolling terrain as well as
creeks, streams and exposed rock add to its
natural allure.
Among the many great holes at The
Olde Farm is No. 2, a medium-length par 4.
Though the landing area is generous,
the downhill tee shot is demanding and
Virginia golfer | September/OctOber 2013
Master_VSGA_Sept13_MASTER2.indd 14
GOLD:
361 yards
reD:
311 yards
placement is valued more than length. In fact,
the second hole places the greatest premium
on the approach shot. Much like a Redan
feature, the putting surface runs from right
to left with the center higher than either
side. Players must hit their second shot from
the correct angle to set up the best scoring
opportunity. That said, before golfers can
even think about making birdie, he or she
must clear a stream fronting the entire green
and avoid a center, sentinel bunker, guarding
the middle of the green. With interesting
but fair contours, the fast and perfect putting
surface adds to the enjoyment and challenge
of completing the hole.
The sheer satisfaction gained from
playing The Olde Farm is not to be missed
for individuals able to gain access to this
exclusive club.
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.”
w w w. v s g a . o r g
8/30/13 8:36 AM
JOHN MUMMERT/USGA PHOTO ARCHIVES
bLUe:
415 yards
AIDAN BRADLEY
tHe OLDe FArm