First Look
strategic course, with a lot of variety—
doglegs left and right, a lot of elevation
changes. The par 3s are really neat, and No.
8 (305 yards from the back tees, 270 for our
group) is a reachable par 4. It has something
for everyone, and it’s just a beautiful place.”
Nicklaus came to Potomac Shores for
the official opening in May and noted:
“My goal is to try to create an aesthetically
pleasing golf course with good golf shots on
it. The aesthetically pleasing part is what
the average golfer really likes, and it doesn’t
mean it has to be difficult to have good golf
shots. We have several varieties of tees, so
you can pick your own poison, and from
there you hope you go out and have fun
playing the course.”
That said, leave the pull cart in the
trunk, if only because distances between
many greens and tees are extremely long,
a common minor inconvenience among
many modern courses. Getting from the
clubhouse to the practice facility also was a
three-minute drive.
Once there, it’s as good as it gets, with
bentgrass and bermudagrass tees, as well
as all-weather artificial surfaces to choose
from and unlimited complimentary range
balls. The practice area encompasses 20,000
square feet. In all, there are plenty of tee
stalls and a wide variety of flags to aim for, as
well as a smallish practice green (there’s also
one near the first tee), bunkers and a decent
short game station as well.
ALL-ENCOMPASSING EXPERIENCE
The tasteful Williamsburg-style clubhouse
measures 10,000 square feet, with a full
service restaurant and a gorgeous patio area
for outdoor dining overlooking the 18th
green. The Sunday we played, the restaurant
was closed for a catered graduation party,
but the menu showed a decent variety of
burgers, sandwiches and salads, all priced
between $8 and $14, and a there was a fullystocked bar framed by big-screen televisions
at each end. Locker rooms for men and
women are small, but the immaculate
shower area is perfectly acceptable. And of
course, there’s a well-appointed golf shop.
“We think the golf course challenges
every ability,” says Patrick Boucher, the
club’s PGA director of golf operations. “And
as we learn where we can best put (hole
locations), I think it will make it even more
enjoyable for everyone.”
The course has already attracted players
who had heard or read about it from places
around the country. Green fees range from
$65 to $115, depending on weekday or
weekend, and the time of day.
“I think we’ll see players from a 30 to
40 mile radius in Virginia, Maryland and
D.C. coming over here to play,” Boucher
says. “Because of all the amenities and the
high-quality conditions they’ll find on the
course, word of mouth is going to spread.
The minute I saw it, I knew it was special.”
A longtime sportswriter for The Washington
Post, award-winning journalist Leonard Shapiro
is a regular contributor to Virginia Golfer.
IF YOU GO
Potomac Shores Golf Club
1750 Dunnington Place
Dumfries, Va. 22026
PHONE: (571) 383-3050
WEBSITE:
potomacshoresgolfclub.com
DIRECTOR OF CLUB
OPERATIONS:
Patrick Boucher, PGA
PGA PROFESSIONAL:
Todd Van Meer, PGA
34
PAR: 35-37—72 YARDAGES:
Black: 7,020 yards; Gold:
6,355 yards; Silver: 5,790
yards, Jade: 4,940 yards
THE PLAYING SURFACE:
Declaration bentgrass (tees
and fairways); bentgrass
(greens); bluegrass and
fescue combination (rough)
THE SHOT YOU'LL NEED:
“With tricky collectio