Virginia Golfer September / October 2014 | Page 15

GREAT Holes

No. 6

PAR 5
YARDAGES

CAVALIER GOLF AND YACHT CLUB

JON HOOD

A

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

SILVER:

407 yards

GOLD:

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. | by BRUCE H. MATSON

lthough Cavalier Golf and Yacht
Club is tucked away in a Virginia
Beach neighborhood and
located just a short distance
from the oceanfront, the club
offers members and guests
one of the more unique
golfing experiences in the commonwealth.
From a golf course architecture standpoint,
Cavalier is somewhat of a museum piece;
it measures just over 6,000 yards, and the
18-hole layout plays to a par of 69. Still, the
layout offers an interesting and challenging
venue for present-day golfers.
Designed by Charles Banks at the end of
the 1920s and renovated by Lester George
in 2008, Cavalier features numerous replica
holes adapted for the Birdneck Point site.
Banks’ approach to golf course design is
dominated by the education he received
as part of the “Macdonald School,” which
relies on the original work of Charles Blair
Macdonald. The designer’s architectural
philosophy was adopted by his protégé, Seth
Raynor. Banks learned his craft from Raynor.
The most prevalent feature of this school of
architecture is the use of famous holes such
as the Redan and the Biarritz, among other
design concepts, adopted from Macdonald’s
tour of the great courses of Europe. He first

BLACK:

460 yards

COPPER:

440 yards

showcased some of these characteristics with
the opening of the National Golf Links of
America on eastern Long Island.
One of these replica holes is the
punchbowl hole. This effect is present at
No. 16 at the National Golf Links, which
Banks incorporated at the par-5 sixth hole at
Cavalier. While the punchbowl green is the
most distinctive feature of this type of hole,
at No. 6, players are immediately faced with
a strategic decision. The hole runs right to
left with wonderful rolling topography, but
of modest length for a par 5. Golfers can
challenge the dogleg on their drive, but must
be aware of a water hazard that lurks in the
fairway at the bend. Those electing to go for
the putting surface in two shots must shape a
drive perfectly and take on considerable risk.
The more surgeon’s-like approach is to
take a hybrid or rescue club from the tee and
play to the high ground on the right side of
the fairway in hopes of providing an ideal
angle and the best stance. This route also may
result in a heroic chance at putting for eagle.
However, as with all great holes, there is added
danger. The perfect lay-up shot requires that
the player get uncomfortably close to the right
side fairway bunkers.
Whether the green is reached by expert
placement or a dramatic shot, the putting

360 yards

surface sits on top of a hill and offers one
of the toughest challenges of short game
touch on the course. This is where the hole
derives its Macdonald label as a punchbowl.
The contouring involves the creation of a
depression where shots can collect close to
the hole, making birdie or eagle a possibility.
That said, the undulation makes two-putting
an adventure. George notes that restoring
the punchbowl sixth green “was never in
question,” particularly because the green
was still at the same elevation as the original
surface. He also adds that the punchbowl is
unique at Cavalier because Banks, Macdonald
and Raynor rarely constructed such a green
complex as part of a par 5.
Cavalier has played an important role in
Virginia’s golf history. The club has been
an active member of the VSGA, having
hosted numerous championships and events
conducted by the association.
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.”

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VIRGINIA GOLFER

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