Member Clubs

“ RCC has done a phenomenal job of reinvesting into the course ,” said Jack Wilkes , member and former University of Richmond player . Improvements include :

• Complete overhaul of property irrigation system

• Renovation of 85 bunkers

• Revamped short game practice area

• Green drainage work

• Expanded driving range , including offseason mats and premium range balls

In early 2023 , RCC began a three-year regrassing campaign .

“ We ’ re converting the tees , fairways , approaches , and green surrounds with Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass , a cold-and drought-tolerant strain ,” said board member Jake Allison . “ We closed our Dogwood nine and began the conversion last June . With the successful first grow-in phase completed , we reopened it around Labor Day . The results were eye-opening and the playing conditions were vastly improved , even in the winter months when Tahoma 31 is dormant .” The Redbud nine is being regrassed this summer with the Crabapple nine scheduled for 2025 .

There is a method to RCC ’ s focus on excellent practice facilities .

“ We have concentrated money allocations on golf because we realize people don ’ t always have five hours for 18 holes , but they do have an hour to practice . And the better players like to practice ,” McAfee said . “ Our next project is tripling the size of the putting green . And coming soon is the addition of fifth tee boxes and some reshaping of holes and fairway lines .”

The Talent Code

Roanoke Country Club has become a nexus for serious Roanoke Valley golfers . “ A lot of high level players in the area have gravitated here . We have a lot of talent at this club . That ’ s because we have put money into the golf course and practice facilities ,” McAfee said .

“ The quality of players found at RCC is solid across all levels — women , men , juniors , amateurs , and seniors ,” Allison said . One reason is because of RCC ’ s renowned teaching program . It also helps that RCC hosts the prestigious Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament , one of the nation ’ s top junior competitions .

Presently , RCC counts 12 active or committed college golfers among its members , with multiple junior members playing in state and national tournaments and international team events .

In addition to Ha , member Samir Davidov won the VSGA Junior Stroke Play

Championship ( 2022 ) and seven males from the club played in the 2024 VSGA Amateur in June . RCC member and 3x VSGA champion , Justin Young , led first day qualifying with a bogey-free 65 before bowing to fellow RCC member Jason Spaar in the first round of match play .

Home Sweet Home

“ RCC is a special place and I am grateful for every opportunity I get to tee it up ,” Wilkes said . “ After all these years , the Tillinghast design has stood the test of time . Perhaps what I enjoy most is walking a few holes on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with my wife and pushing our two boys in a stroller without feeling rushed or like we are holding up the course .” The kudos don ’ t stop there . “ The club is well-run , well-managed , and we have a great superintendent in Dan Wheeler and head pro Ryan Runge . It ’ s been a really good club for a long time ,” said Wolfe . “ It has the amenities of a country club , but it ’ s a golf club .”

“ RCC feels like a second home to me . It always has ,” Allison added . “ Even as a young man prior to joining , visits to RCC were always met with friendly , welcoming , and service-oriented people . That same atmosphere applies today with general manager Tim McAfee and the entire club staff .”

Home sweet home , indeed .

Total members

Golf members

Dates to Remember

1899 Club established 1904 Becomes one of four VSGA founding member clubs 1908 First nine holes open for play ; Alexander Findlay design 1920 A . W . Tillinghast-designed 18 holes completed 1954 Course-wide irrigation system installed

1966 Nine new Ellis Maples holes and integrated into the former A . W . Tillinghast back nine to form two new nine hole routings

1980 ’ s Addition of fourth set of tees , repositioning of two greens , drainage improvements ( Tom Clark )

2000 Major renovation , addition to clubhouse finished

2002 Completion of Lester George tee and green work on Dogwood nine

2023 Regrassing of Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass begins

Notable RCC VSGA Champions

* Low amateur in the State Open 1950 , 1953 , 1958 , 1960

VSGA Amateur Host *

* Also host to three state opens vsga . org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2024 | V IRGINIA G OLFER

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