R
ichmond is fast becoming
one of the country’s “go to”
tourist destinations. Last
year the city won top rankings from Travel + Leisure,
Conde Nast Traveler and American Express
Travel. And there are dozens of reasons
for those accolades.
Over the past few years the city has
become known not only for its outdoor
activities and thriving art scene but also
for a burgeoning restaurant scene that
is generating rave reviews from foodies
across the world.
Sports play a major role in the area’s
tourism. Even though it isn’t yet ready to
compete with resort areas such as Myrtle
Beach, Richmond has a great variety of
public golf courses that are well known
among the golfing community.
After a top-to-bottom makeover
by a team that included Virginia’s own
award-winning master architect Lester
George and Virginia amateur legend Vinny
Giles, Independence Golf Club is at the top
of its game. It was named as one of Golf
Digest’s ‘Best New Courses’ for 2014 and
ranked No. 3 among the country’s ‘Most
Cheerful Courses’ in the publication’s
August 2015 edition.
The Club’s 18-hole championship course
has re-grassed fairways and greens as well
as reconstructed bunkers for better drainage. All of these changes lead to a course
that plays faster and appeals to varying
skill levels.
And if you’re looking to be pampered as
you play the course, Independence provides players with complimentary bottled
water and golf carts that are equipped with
an online GPS tablet and luxury leather
seats for a sedan-type ride. Independence
also features Tavern 19, a taphouse-themed
restaurant restaurant that serves lunch
and dinner as well as award-winning IPAs
from Virginia’s own Devils Backbone.
Mill Quarter Plantation
in Powhatan, just west
of Richmond
The Crossings Golf Club in Glen Allen
vsga.org
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