WESTERN VIRGINIA
➽TOP PICK
OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT ’ S CASCADES COURSE
THERE ’ S A MOMENT when you reach the 13th green at the venerable Cascades that the world seems to melt away . A stream babbles along the left side of the hole , animals scamper through the woods behind it . Cell service is non-existent . The quiet , frankly , is breathtaking . But don ’ t get so lost in the scenery that you miss what makes the Cascades one of the nation ’ s top mountain layouts .
William Flynn provided the original blueprint in 1923 , and Robert Trent Jones redesigned the course nearly 40 years later . A 2005 renovation helped restore Flynn ’ s original bunkering , which is especially apparent on the 12th and 13th holes . Last year , a tree removal program helped expose some of the creeks running along the fairways . With so many downhill shots to sloping fairways , strategy is paramount , and you may not play the course the same way twice .
The Cascades ranked 27th on Golf Digest ’ s 2017 – 18 list of America ’ s top 100 public courses , the best ranking of any course in the Commonwealth . One loop around the layout will show you why it ’ s held in such high esteem .
COST BREAKDOWN $ 175 –$ 300 per round , depending on time of day and year .
The Cascades is widely considered the nation ’ s top mountain track — and it ’ s easy to see why .
FUN FACT The Cascades has hosted numerous USGA and VSGA championships and is a yearly site for qualifying for the U . S . Senior Open championship .
DON ’ T MISS
Head east on Interstate 64 toward I-81 south and the New River Valley and make sure to stop in Radford at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech . The home course of Virginia Tech and Radford ’ s programs hosted the 2016 VSGA Amateur Championship and is one of the longest and most challenging layouts in the state . Several holes cling to the New River , and the post-round view from the balcony overlooking the 18th green is something to behold . The public can play for $ 55 to $ 89 , with lower rates for Virginia Tech and Radford students , faculty and staff .
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
➽TOP PICK
SPRING CREEK GOLF CLUB
COURSE DESIGNER Ed Carton had his hand in two excellent Central Virginia designs : Spring Creek and Amherst County ’ s Poplar Grove Golf Club . Carton associated with the likes of Sam Snead , Tom Fazio and Raymond Floyd during his time as a senior design associate at Hurdzan Golf , and it shows in Spring Creek ’ s layout . Much like at Poplar Grove , exquisite bunkering is a major feature . Spring Creek ’ s location just outside of Charlottesville lends to pleasant views of the Blue Ridge in the distance .
The finishing hole , the par-5 18th , features a two-tiered landing area on the fairway and a lake that runs along the left side of the hole , making the approach into the well-guarded green a challenge . Carton ’ s goal , he said , was to create a golf course that was playable for high-handicap players yet challenging for tournament players . The best of both worlds can be found at Spring Creek , which ranked No . 66 on Golf Digest ’ s Top 100 public courses list .
COST BREAKDOWN $ 60 –$ 125 per round , depending on time of day and year .
FUN FACT
Jake Mondy won the second of his two VSGA Amateur titles at Spring Creek in 2014 , fending off a spirited comeback from Jordan Utley .
DON ’ T MISS
Just up the road from Spring Creek , Keswick Hall ’ s iconic hotel and resort is closed for renovation in 2018 , but the resort ’ s famed Full Cry golf course remains open for business . Unaccompanied guests can play for $ 140 , plus cart fee . The 18-hole Pete Dye layout is as challenging as it is eye-catching . Charlottesville ’ s Birdwood — home of the University of Virginia ’ s golf teams — is set to undergo a major renovation in the fall but it is open for business this summer . Public rates range from $ 69 to $ 89 plus cart .
IMAGES COURESY OF THE COURSES
32 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2018 vsga . org