Golfer’s Guides....

THE TPC OF VIRGINIA BEACH

THE ULTIMATE IN TIDEWATER (& MID-ATLANTIC) GOLF

When the Tournament Players Club of Virginia Beach opened last spring, it signaled the arrival of Tidewater golf to the big leagues. Long a developing golf getaway, the TPC placed Virginia Beach and the Tidewater area in the ranks with Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head as a premier golf vacation destination.

Since the grand opening, it’s obvious that the Mid-Atlantic’s only TPC facility is a huge hit with local duffers and visitors alike. There’s currently not another daily fee TPC course between Maine and the Carolinas, providing reason enough to visit the Virginia Beach area.

In keeping with the TPC tradition of offering golf courses designed by the best architects in the business, the TPC of Virginia Beach was blessed with the talents of Pete Dye--designer of scores of famous courses worldwide, including the TPC of Sawgrass, which is still recognized as a creative landmark in both concept and design. Some of Dye’s most graceful work is now in evidence in Virginia Beach.

“I’m very pleased with the way the golf course turned out,” says Dye. “It’s a beautiful course that is challenging enough to hold tournament events, but also is very playable for all skill levels with its variety of tees.”

PGA TOUR Member and Virginia Beach native Curtis Strange collaborated with Dye on the design. Of the experience, he says, “It was a privilege to finally work with the TPC team as a consultant and it was exciting to work on a project in my home town. I was over there a lot and made sure I was involved in every facet of the development. Peter truly is a genius in designing golf courses.”

In opening the course, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said, “The collaboration between Pete Dye and Curtis Strange has produced a course of which the TOUR and the City of Virginia Beach can be extremely proud.” Finchem attended high school in Virginia Beach and was a long-time state resident.

The $15 million facility was developed on a 200-acre tract of city-owned property that was a mixture of open farm lands and wooded areas. The routing of the course is classic in nature, with the front nine following a counterclockwise loop and the back nine a clockwise track.

Designed for tournament play, the course stretches to an imposing 7,432 yards from the professional tees. However, four additional sets of tees allow all golfers to find an appropriate level of challenge. In addition, the TPC of Virginia Beach includes a beautifully appointed clubhouse, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a PGA Golf Professional Staff which is available for lessons and clinics. Other amenities include: a choice of golf carts or motorized power caddies for those interested in walking; extensive food and beverage service (including a 2,280-square-foot main dining room and a private dining room); and a wide variety of outings opportunities for any size group.

Groups, as well as individual Virginia Beach residents, receive discounts. Of course, a range of local membership opportunities are available. In addition, non-resident Associates and Professional Business Associates are afforded reduced rates and a wide array of privileges.

The course’s look and feel is greatly enhanced by the use of dense woodlands, lakes and ponds, large sandy waste areas, and a wide variety of grasses. The front nine provides several driving tests, while the back nine is compact and close to the clubhouse. In fact, six holes adjacent to the clubhouse in some way.

“From a consulting and player standpoint, I think what I brought to the table more than anything was a playability of the course for golfers of all levels,” says Strange. “I was particularly concerned about the design of the greens and making sure the greens themselves and the surrounding areas were as playable as possible and looked natural. I truly think we have a wonderful set of greens at the TPC of Virginia Beach.”

These greens are enhanced by stunning tee boxes and a variety looks to the fairways. The Dye-inspired waste areas and native grasses come into play on virtually every hole, with the surrounding native hardwoods and several small bodies of water making accuracy important off both off the tee and into the greens. Few golfers can forget the look and sound of the native grasses waving in the ever-present winds.

“It was a real pleasure working on this project with Curtis, who is a longtime friend of mine,” says Dye, whose signature is clearly apparent throughout the layout.

Strange adds, “Taking a beautiful piece of land and crafting it into a golf course that will challenge the world’s greatest players is very satisfying, but making it playable and enjoyable to all golfers is particularly special.”

After playing the course, other TPC amenities await. Along with elegant locker facilities and services, as well as a golf specialty shop, the clubhouse cuisine is luring many golfers to linger. The food and beverage department has created menus to make any hacker hungry. “Our world-class golf course, coupled with the beautiful clubhouse and dining facilities, will make the TPC a perfect setting for any occasion,” says General Manager and Director of Golf Chris Coleman.

Locals, visitors, and the PGA TOUR obviously think it’s an ideal setting. This past summer, Finchem announced that a NIKE TOUR event will be held at the new course in May, 2000.

This fine Virginia Beach facility was the 17th Tournament Players Club. Since opening the TPC at Sawgrass in 1980, the TPC Network has maintained the high standards that set it apart from other golf facilities. Whether private, daily fee, or resort, each Tournament Players Club is a prestigious addition to any area.

Eight more TPCs are in the planning or development stages in the U.S., including Dye’s design of one of three TPC courses at Lake Nona, near Orlando. There are also several TPC-licensed courses (not owned or operated by TOUR Properties), as well as six TPC-licensed international facilities.