Richmond Magazine....

SWINGING ACROSS THE STATE

VIRGINIA IS FOR

LOVERS. . .OF GREAT GOLF

You don't have to flee to Florida to find great golf. It's right in your own backyard. The Richmond area and the entire Old Dominion offer enough golf to keep any hacker happy for many rounds without ever leaving the state.

"Richmond is a great golf city in a great state for golfers," says Garland Gammon, owner of Par 3 Golf & Ski Shops, a golfer's mecca in Richmond for more than 30 years. "Area interest has increased immensely, with great courses and tournaments so convenient for Richmonders."

Area golf just keeps getting better. The state always seems to have something new and newsworthy on the golf scene and this spring is no exception.

The biggest news in the state has been the formation, growth, and success of the Golf Virginia Resorts Association. This organization was formed to spread the good word about the great golf in the state and the efforts have convinced many Richmonders to try more golf in their own backyards.

"Virginia features some of the best golf courses and resorts in the country," says Mark Glickman, the association's president. "By joining together to work with the state, we can more effectively deliver the message that Virginia has great golf."

In conjunction with the Virginia Tourism Development Group, the Golf Virginia Resorts Association produced an excellent guide to more than 130 of Virginia's public, semi-private, and resort courses. Along with introductory material and a regional map, the brochure lists course names, addresses, phone numbers, and course details.

"It is important to make every effort to get the word out," says Martha Steger of the Virginia Division of Tourism. "By working with the Golf Virginia Resorts Association, we intend to do just that. Great area golf is not only convenient for Richmonders, but the courses consistently rank among the nation's bet."

There's much more news on and off the links in Virginia and this spring is an ideal time to explore the possibilities.

GOLF GROWTH CONTINUES

Golf continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The most recent National Golf Foundation (NGF) surveys found that there are now about 25 million golfers in the U.S. and two million more people try the sport each year. "The fact that we have two million people try golf each year speaks volumes about the attraction the game continues to hold for large numbers of people," says Joseph F. Beditz, the NGF's president and CEO.

Virginia is a leader in this growth, with more than 570,000 golfers, 275 courses, and new possibilities opening frequently. The Richmond area alone features a golf hole for every 1,730 people!

Garland Gammon at Par 3 has experienced this growth first-hand. He says, "Richmonders are serious about golf and they have some super places to play nearby and throughout the state."

LOCAL LINKS

Golf is just a short drive (and driver) away for Richmond area residents. It's always easy to find time for a quick nine or a leisurely eighteen. Whether you're working on a business deal or that nasty slice, Richmond suits many golfers to a tee.

NGF studies show that more than 70% of the rounds played are now on public courses, making it the fastest-growing segment in golf. Public golf courses are improving in quality and reputation, with the Richmond market providing a perfect example.

There's a wide range of fully public possibilities in the area. Whether you want to play the popular Joe Lee design at The Crossings, putt on the area's largest greens at Confederate Hills, or go for the convenience of Oak Hill just out Patterson Avenue, there's a scorecard waiting.

Other public courses in the area include: Belmont Golf Course in Henrico County; the Dan Maples layout at the Birkdale Golf Course; Brookwoods Golf Club in Quinton; Glenwood Golf Club northeast on Creighton Road; and River's Bend Golf and Country Club running parallel to the James River in Chester; Spring Lake Golf Club north on US 301; and Sycamore Creek Golf Course out in Manakin. If you want some quick work on your game, head for one of many driving ranges or try Windy Hill par 3 and other facilities.

A little further afield, additional public options include: The Lakes in Highland Springs; Mill Quarter Plantation near Powhatan; and the Prince George Golf Course in Disputanta. With so many courses, it's just a matter of calling for a tee time.

Of course, there are many private and semi-private possibilities in the Richmond metropolitan area. The golf tradition has led to many fine country clubs for members and their guests to enjoy, including: the Brandermill Country Club; the Country Club of Virginia; the Dominion Country Club at Wyndham; Hanover Country Club; Hermitage Country Club; Jefferson Lakeside Country Club; Oak Hill Country Club; Richmond Country Club; and Salisbury Country Club.

One popular option for golfers is to live right on the links and many of the country clubs listed above are surrounded by high-quality residential developments. Key indicators currently show that it's a buyer's market. According to Jerry Matthews, president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, golf course real estate development has regained its momentum.

"Golf real estate projects in the 90s should be flexible, including both high-end and moderately-priced units," says Mr. Matthews. "Value is the key. People place a high premium on value today. They are willing to spend money, but there has to be a perceived value."

Mr. Matthews cites the following upbeat indicators for buyers: interest rates below 7 percent; a buoyant home-buyer market; anticipated economic growth; and continued growth in the number of golfers.

A properly-designed golf course on a real estate development project is an asset, Mr. Matthews claims. "Golf communities offer home-buyers a lot more than a large backyard," he says. "They also feature privacy through planned open space and the added bonus that golf properties will maintain their value, even during a recession."

From the established communities at Brandermill and Salisbury to the new Curtis Strange-designed fairway lifestyle possible at Wyndham, it's possible to live right on the links. Further afield, the golf and golf course living at Lee's Hill in Fredericksburg is drawing much attention. For many Richmond area golfers, a golf home can truly a castle.

THE RESORT LIFE

In-state golf vacations are one of the fastest-growing segments in Virginia tourism. Good weather, additional tourist attractions, great golf, and legendary resorts all make the state ideal for a golf vacation.

In nearby Williamsburg, Kingsmill continues to offer convenient golf vacations to Richmonders. In addition to Kingsmill's two 18-hole championship courses, a new attraction is the Bray Links, a nine-hole par three course ideal for sick short games and busy conference attendees. "The par three course layout suits all types of players, from beginners to low handicappers," says Clive Chu, vice president and general manager of Busch Properties, which owns and operates Kingsmill.

The resort's creative package possibilities continue this season. The current golf package includes deluxe accommodations, 18 holes of golf each day on the River or Plantation Course, unlimited tennis, and golf on the Bray Links course.

Ford's Colony Country Club is quickly becoming known as the perfect place to head for Dan Maples golf and one of the top golf resort restaurants in the U.S. With nine additional holes recently opened and creative options in The Dining Room, this Williamsburg resort is one of the state's biggest success stories.

The new nine brings the Ford's Colony total to 45, all designed by Dan Maples. This 2,500-acre residential golf resort community now features exclusive homes, large homesites, a full fitness center, and renowned dining.

Many Richmond golfers also head to Ford's Colony for a taste of award-winning executive chef David Everett's creative fare. A meal in The Dining Room is an ideal way to end a great day of Virginia golf.

Golfers interested in visiting or playing at Ford's Colony can call for tee times, dinner reservations, or information about their real estate vacation packages.

The Colonial Williamsburg complex offers some great golf to go with its history. The restored 18th-century colonial capital of Virginia, a world-renowned living history museum, complements two well-known championship golf courses, an executive-length course, four hotels (including the five-star Williamsburg Inn), 13 restaurants, and many other resort amenities.

Visiting Richmonders can take advantage of golf package plans that include unlimited golf on both Golden Horseshoe courses and the Spotswood course, lodging in Colonial Williamsburg hotels, and daily use of cart and practice balls. For further package information, call 800/HISTORY.

A bit further down the interstate, the Virginia Beach area is perfect for a great golf getaway. A convenient mid-Atlantic location, mild weather conditions, legendary beach resort amenities, and a large variety of golf courses have put Virginia Beach on every golfer's map.

Virginia Beach means a simple golf vacation for everyone. A golf vacation today doesn't need to be full of tee time hassles, crowded accommodations, and high prices. Golf in Virginia Beach means uncrowded greens, a large selection of resort hotels, and value-packed packages.

In 1994 and the years to follow, Virginia Beach offers new and returning golfers some real surprises. The excitement centers around a $60 million facelift to the oceanfront area, upgrading the boardwalk, public areas, and infrastructure of the world-renowned resort. The resort Area Capital Improvement Program has been underway since 1987 and is part of the $138.5 million Tourist Growth Investment Fund, a funding source for a dozen projects related to tourism and economic development.

Mayor Meyera Oberndorf speaks for the City: "Survey results indicate that the very nature of a vacation experience in Virginia Beach is improving. Long-term investment in Atlantic Avenue improvements and efforts to organize activities along the boardwalk means visitors are viewing the resort as cleaner and more visually appealing."

Long-known as a great family destination, the golf courses in Virginia Beach have made it a great golf destination as well. The city features mild playing conditions virtually year-round, superb course maintenance, and many choices for duffers. It's enough to keep golfers busy for an entire vacation (or more).

Some of the most popular courses in the Virginia Beach area include Hell's Point, Honey Bee, Owl's Creek, and Red Wing Lake. Along with many other places to play, many hotels offer great packages to golfers, including accommodations, greens fees, and other amenities.

A free copy of the "Virginia Beach Golf Guide," published by the city and the Department of Convention and Visitor Development, is available by calling 800/VA BEACH.

The Tides Lodge on the Chesapeake Bay is another popular golf destination for Richmonders. This complete resort getaway includes golf on the famed Tartan Course, tennis, a fitness center, family activities, and cruises on their yacht, the High Tide II.

Long known for complete packages, the Tides Lodge recently added a European Plan. This allows complete flexibility for golf vacationers. Their excellent golf packages this spring start at just $231 (European Plan) for three days and two nights. More possibilities are available nearby at Tides Lodge.

In the center of the state, Wintergreen Resort means mountain golf at its finest and the state's only full-service golf school, the Wintergreen Golf Academy. The golf is great on either Devil's Knob, an Ellis Maples course, or Rees Jones's award-winning Stoney Creek, but this year-round resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains has much more to offer, including fishing, tennis, the Wintergarden Spa, horseback riding, and very popular mountain biking.

The Wintergreen Golf Academy is run by international professional and teacher Graeme Oliver. The two-, three-, and four-day packages cater to all levels of players and offer individualized instruction in small groups (4:1 student to instructor ratio). Prices start at just $324 per person. Standard nightly lodging rates start at just $85.

Even further west, The Homestead continues to provide a legendary golf experience. With the recent purchase by Dallas-based Club Resorts, a company boasting dozens of golf resorts and a great track record, The Homestead will become an even better destination this year.

Many additions and changes are slated at The Homestead, including renovations of The Homestead Course, a new practice facility, and the opening of the Golf Advantage School, already a successful institution at Pinehurst.

Three-day spring golf packages at The Homestead start at just $298 per person. It's an elegant value, considering the accommodations, the meals, the historically great golf, and so many other amenities only The Homestead can provide.

Other state hotels and resorts also feature golf packages. Dedicated duffers should explore the options at places like Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville, Staunton's Ingleside Red Carpet Inn, Luray Caverns, Bryce Resort, Massanutten, Leesburg's Landsdowne Conference Resort or the Westpark Hotel, and many other great places to play and stay throughout the state.

There are also many more public options around the state. Some popular choices with Richmond golfers on the road include Afton's Swannanoa, Hadensville's Royal Virginia, Norfolk's Ocean View, and The Links at Natural Bridge. Almost all metropolitan areas in the state offer one or more public courses.

RESOURCES

The brochure covering Virginia golf is a great way to begin research for a Virginia golf vacation. Interested golfers who call 800-93 BACK 9 (800-932-2259) will receive the "Virginia Golf" guide, a "Virginia is for Lovers Travel Guide," and a state highway map. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Virginia Tourism Development Group at 1021 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219, 804-786-4484.

Afton Swannanoa CC 703/942-9877

Alexandria Greendale GC 703/971-6170

Alexandria Pinecrest No. 1 GC 703/941-1061

Basye Bryce Resort GC 703/856-2121

Blacksburg Blacksburg Municipal GC 703/961-1137

Bluefield Richwood GC 703/322-4575

Bracey River Ridge Golf & Camp. 804/636-2989

Brookneal Hat Creek GC 804/376-2292

Callao Village Green GC 804/529-6332

Cape Charles Northampton CC 804/331-8423

Centreville Twin Lakes CC 703/631-9099

Charlottesville McIntyre Park GC 804/977-4111

Charlottesville Meadowcreek GC 804/977-0615

Chatham Cedar's CC 804/656-9909

Chesapeake Seven Springs GC 804/436-2512

Clarksville Kinderton CC 804/374-8822

Clifford Winton CC 804/946-7336

Clifton Twin Lakes GC 703/631-9099

Clifton Forge Cliftondale CC 703/862-2081

Coeburn Dan Hall Mtn. Resort 703/395-2487

Covington Alleghany CC 703/862-5789

Damascus Deer Field GC 703/475-5649

Danville Ringold GC 804/799-8728

Ewing Monte Vista GC 703/861-4014

Fairfax Burke Lake GC 703/323-6600

Fairfax Penderbrook GC 703/385-3700

Fairfax Jefferson GC 703/941-1062

Fancy Gap Skyland Lakes GC 703/728-4923

Farmville Longwood GC 804/395-2613

Farmville Wedgewood CC 804/392-6656

Fredericksburg Lee's Hill 703/891-1091

Fredericksburg Shannon Green GC 703/786-8385

Front Royal Bowling Green CC 703/635-2024

Front Royal Front Royal CC 703/636-9061

Front Royal Shenandoah Valley GC 703/636-2641

Galax Blue Ridge CC 703/236-9845

Gasburg Thisuldu GC 703/577-2442

Gate City Scott County GC 703/452-4168

Gloucester Gloucester CC 804/693-2662

Greenbackville Captain's Cove GC 804/824-3465

Hadensville Royal Virginia GC 804/784-4589

Hampton Eaglewood GC 804/764-4547

Hampton Hampton Golf & Tennis Ctr804/727-1195

Hampton Hamptons GC 804/766-9148

Harrisonburg Lakeview GC 703/434-8937

Harrisonburg Massanutten Village GC 703/289-9441

Herndon Herndon Centennial GC 703/471-5769

Hopewell Jordan Point CC 804/458-0141

Hot Springs The Homestead 703/839-7739

Irvington Tides Inn-Golden Eagle 804/438-5501

Irvington Tides Lodge-Tides Tartan 804/438-6000

Jonesville Cedar Hill GC 703/346-1535

Laurel Fork Olde Mill GC 703/398-2638

Leesburg Algonkian Park 703/450-4655

Leesburg Goose Creek 703/729-2500

Leesburg Westpark Hotel & GC 703/777-7023

Leesburg Landsdowne Conf. Resort 703/729-8400

Lorton Pohick Bay Regional Park 703/339-8585

Luray Caverns CC 703/743-7111

Lynchburg Cedar Hills GC 804/239-1512

Lynchburg Colonial Hills GC 804/525-3954

Lynchburg Ivy Hill GC 804/525-2680

Lynchburg London Downs GC 804/525-4653

Lynchburg Poplar Forest GC 804/525-0473

Manassas Prince William GC 703/754-7111

Manassas Manassas Hills GC 703/368-2028

Marion Holston Hills CC 703/783-7484

Martinsville Beaver Hill GC 703/632-1526

Montpelier The Hollows 804/798-2949

Mt. Holly Bushfield GC 804/472-2602

Natural Bridge The Links GC 703/291-GOLF

New Market Shenvalee GC 703/740-3181

Newport News Deer Run GC 804/886-2848

Newport News Kiln Creek GC 804/874-0526

Nokesville Prince William GC 703/754-7111

Norfolk Eagle Haven GC 804/464-8526

Norfolk Lake Wright GC 804/461-2246

Norfolk Ocean View GC 804/480-2094

Norfolk Sewell's Point GC 804/444-5572

Pembroke Castle Rock GC 703/626-7275

Petersburg Lee Park GC 804/733-5667

Petersburg Prince George GC 804/991-2251

Portsmouth City Park GC 804/393-8005

Portsmouth Bide-A-Wee 804/399-9562

Portsmouth Sleepy Hole GC 804/393-5050

Rappahannock Four Winds GC 804/742-5647

Reston Reston GC 703/620-9333

Richmond Belmont GC 804/266-4929

Richmond Bermuda GC 804/458-9974

Richmond Birkdale GC 804/739-8800

Richmond Brandermill CC 804/744-1185

Richmond Brookwoods GC 804/737-0519

Richmond Confederate Hills 804/737-4716

Richmond Country Club of Virginia 804/288-2891

Richmond The Crossings 804/226-2254

Richmond Dominion CC at Wyndham 804/360-1200

Richmond Glenwood GC 804/226-1793

Richmond Hanover CC 804/798-8381

Richmond Hermitage CC 804/784-5234

Richmond Jefferson Lakeside CC 804/266-2780

Richmond The Lakes 804/737-4716

Richmond Mill Quarter Plantation 804/598-4221

Richmond Oak Hill CC 804/784-5592

Richmond Pine Lakes 804/226-9859

Richmond Richmond CC 804/784-5272

Richmond River's Bend Golf & CC 804/530-1000

Richmond Salisbury CC 804/794-6841

Richmond Spring Lake GC 804/226-9859

Richmond Sycamore Creek GC 804/784-3544

Richmond Windy Hill 804/794-7193

Roanoke Blue Hills GC 703/344-7848

Roanoke Botetourt CC 703/992-1451

Roanoke Countryside GC 703/563-0391

Roanoke Ole Monterey GC 703/563-0400

Salem City of Salem GC 703/387-9802

Salem Hanging Rock GC 703/389-8193

Saltville Saltville GC 703/496-4716

Smith Mountain Lake Chestnut Creek GC 703/721-4214

Smith Mountain Lake Mariner's GC 703/297-7888

Smithfield Smithfield Downs GC 804/357-3101

South Boston Green's Folly GC 804/572-4998

Staunton Country Club of Staunton 703/248-7273

Staunton Gypsy Hill GC 703/387-9802

Staunton Ingleside Red Carpet Inn 703/248-1201

Stuart Gorden Trent GC 703/694-3805

Suffolk Suffolk GC 804/539-6298

Surry Surry GC 804/357-3101

Tappahannock Woodside CC 804/443-4060

Virginia Beach Bow Creek GC 804/431-3763

Virginia Beach Cypress Point GC 804/490-8822

Virginia Beach Hell's Point 804/721-3400

Virginia Beach Honey Bee GC 804/471-2768

Virginia Beach Kempsville Greens 804/474-8441

Virginia Beach Owl's Creek 804/428-2800

Virginia Beach Red Wing Lake GC 804/437-4845

Virginia Beach Stumpy Lake GC 804/467-6119

Warrenton South Wales GC 804/347-1401

Waynesboro Shields Par Three 703/943-7283

White Stone Windjammer GC 804/435-1166

Williamsburg Ford's Colony 804/258-4130

Williamsburg Golden Horsehoe 804/229-1000

Williamsburg Kingsmill GC 804/253-3906

Williamsburg Spotswood GC 804/229-1000

Winchester Carpers Valley 703/662-4319

Winchester The Summit 703/888-4188

Wintergreen Devils Knob GC 804/325-2200

Wintergreen Stoney Creek GC 804/325-2200

Woodbridge Lakeridge GC 703/494-5564