Virginia Golfer September / October 2015 | Page 28

C urses
for F rces

With one of the strongest military presences in the nation, Virginia
offers up some very good—and very affordable—courses in the
armed-forces network
by TOM CUNNEFF

28

V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER/O CTOBER 2015

PHOTO CREDIT HERE

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
BY THE COURSES

T

courses not only in Virginia but West Virginia, as
o most of us the term “military
well. We’ve noted their tee-time regulations with
golf” means a succession of
each entry in the following list.
left and right shots, but to
Permission is hereby granted to spray it all day.
some of the men and women
in Virginia who serve
our country, as well
as their dependents
AEROPINES GOLF COURSE
and retirees, it means
much-needed R&R
from the pressures of defending our country.
Ever since 9/11, the United States has
been at war and the nine courses below that
stretch from Arlington to Virginia Beach
offer a welcome respite from the rigors of
combat to the more than 120,000 servicemen
and women on the 27 bases in the state.
“They’re critical to the morale and welfare
of soldiers and their families,” says retired
Army Corp of Engineers Col. Dick Johns,
who also spent 17 years with the Middle
Atlantic PGA, all as executive director.
“The public really doesn’t appreciate what
an important part of recuperation these
courses are.”
The best part: most have adopted more liberal
AEROPINES GOLF COURSE
play policies in recent years, allowing government
employees to play, as well as the general public, so
Base/Location: Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia
you can finally play some of these great courses.
Beach
All clubs are members of the Virginia State Golf
Play Policy: Open to public but must be driven on
Association and four of the following participate
base by authorized personnel; non-military can also
in the VSGA’s VIP Program, which entitles
play in the many charity fundraisers
cardholders to special pricing at more than 200
Green Fees: $

vsga.org