Virginia Golfer September / October 2015 | Page 32

Courses for Forces

THE CARDINAL GOLF CLUB
AT FORT LEE
Base/Location: Fort Lee just south of

Richmond

Play Policy: Must be sponsored by an
authorized user, which includes veterans,
National Guard and Reserve, but that’s not
necessary if you have a VIP Card
Green Fees: $, VIP Card discount
The original 18 at this 27-hole facility
opened in 1947, while the third nine opened
in 2002, but no matter how you pair them
up, this rolling, parkland-style design is a
true championship test, stretching close to
7,000 yards. There are some really beefy
holes, like the double-dogleg par-five 6th on
the Blue, which is 626 yards from the tips.
Four big ponds and 86 bunkers also present
a challenge. A free three-hole practice course
is ideal for kids or someone looking to work
on their game.

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THE PINES GOLF COURSE
AT FORT EUSTIS
Base/Location: Joint Base Langley-Eustis,

Fort Eustis

Play Policy: Open to the public
Green Fees: $, VIP Card discount

Carved out of pine forest along the
Warwick River, this 27-hole layout is
located on historical property that once
belonged to John Rolfe and Pocahontas and
contains six Confederate gravesites. George
Cobb, who designed the Par Three course
at Augusta National, built the original 18
holes in the early 1950s, the Ponderosa
Pines and Shortleaf Pines nines, which have
a traditional, lay-of-the-land appearance,
while the Virginia Pines nine, which opened
in 1997, features more modern look with
mounding and sculpted bunkers.
While golf certainly has its high-pressure
moments, like that 10-foot birdie putt to win

V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER/O CTOBER 2015

the hole, nothing compares to the pressures
of military service. These courses are for
our service members and guests—so that
hopefully a nine- or 18-hole round can help
them relax, raise their spirits, satisfy their
competitive urges, and enjoy this great game
that golfers are so passionate about.
But with most of the courses open to
the public, be sure to give them a try,
and keep your daily responsibilities and
stresses in perspective. Maybe you’ll even
score better.
Author Tom Cunneff is a senior editor with
Links Magazine and a regular contributor to
Virginia Golfer.

PRICE GUIDE
$ – Under $50, $$ – Over $50

vsga.org

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY THE COURSES

THE PINES AT FORT EUSTIS