GOLF Magazine....

VIRGINIA GOLF:

WHAT'S NEW IN THE OLD DOMINION

As the weather turns warm, Virginia golf vacations kick into high gear. As with past years, golf and golf vacations in the Old Dominion keep getting better. From new courses to new amenities, Virginia is a golf vacationer's perfect destination.

Many fine Virginia golf vacation possibilities are featured below. For further information about some of the best golf in the nation, call the numbers listed or visit the websites of those mentioned. For even easier service and material from a variety of resources, just complete our handy Reader Service Page. You'll soon be heading to Virginia for some spring or summer birdies of your own.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

Colonial Williamsburg's legendary Golden Horseshoe Golf Courses and a wide variety of activities, lodging, dining, and service make it one of the nation's premier golf resorts. A GOLF Magazine gold Medal recipient for the last 12 consecutive years, the Golden Horseshoe Gold Club at Colonial Williamsburg is rated among the 'best of the best' in 1999 for golf, service, dining, and non-golf related activities. GOLF Magazine also recently named the Golden Horseshoe to the 'Top 100 You Can Play' list.

Colonial Williamsburg, known worldwide as the nation's largest outdoor living history museum, includes the 173-acre Historic Area--the restored 18th-century capital of Virginia--five hotels, 12 restaurants, and an entertaining array of resort amenities. The championship Golf and Green Courses and the executive-length Spotswood Course are the emeralds in the crown of this historic destination.

This year the Green Course and its rugged Rees Jones design will become the second golf course in the 102-year history of the USGA to host national championships in consecutive years. Last year, the Gold Course reopened to rave reviews after a major restoration and renovation by Green Course designer Jones, son of the original designer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The par-31 Spotswood Course was also designed by Trent Jones, Sr. Additional amenities include two clubhouses, practice ranges, putting greens, and golf shops, as well as an extensive instructional program.

Golf is just a chip shot from Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, where throughout the year visitors discover America's past recreated in presentations, guided and self-guided tours, and reenactments of significant events and daily colonial activities. It's the perfect place for families and non-golfers as well.

Vacationers can take advantage of golf packages that include unlimited golf on both Golden Horseshoe courses and the Spotswood course, lodging in the Official Resort Hotels of Colonial Williamsburg, daily use of a golf cart, and practice balls. Golf packages are subject to seasonal availability.

Just 150 miles south of Washington D.C., Colonial Williamsburg and the Golden Horseshoe Golf Courses are easily accessible form I-64 and three major airports. They are also accessible on the internet (www.colonialwilliamsburg.org). For further information, complete the Reader Service Page or call (800) HISTORY.

THE HOMESTEAD

There's no better time to visit The Homestead than this spring. The Homestead is offering an exciting Early Bird Golf Package through April 29th, which includes play on the famed Cascades Course. GREG--IS THE HOMESTEAD A MAGAZINE AWARD-WINNER...I THOUGHT SO, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO FIND IT ANYWHERE??

Available Sunday through Thursday, guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, use of the Fitness Center, and golf on any of The Homestead's championship courses (including greens fees and surcharge to play The Cascades) for $139 per person, per night, Sunday through Thursday (double occupancy). It's just $179 per person, per night, Friday and Saturday (double occupancy).

"This is a great opportunity for golfers to play at The Homestead for a fantastic rate and to enjoy spring in the mountains," says Gary K. Rosenberg, Chief Operating Officer for the historic mountain resort and Senior Vice President, Club Resorts. With a long list of resort and spa renovations, The Homestead is better than ever. Along with great golf, the 521-room historic resort offers an array of year-round recreation, including sporting clays, shooting sports, horseback and carriage riding, swimming, the Homestead Spa, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, fly fishing, and more.

Property-wide resort enhancements haven't been limited to golf. Other improvements and additions awaiting guests include the completely renovated Homestead Spa; refurbished guest rooms; an updated Dining Room; the addition of an historical library and reading room; a state-of-the-art children's playground and program; and added dining in the famed Casino Building.

A William S. Flynn design, The Cascades boasts a rich heritage of tournament tradition, including six U.S.G.A. Championships and two Senior PGA Tour Shoot-Out Championships. The prestigious course, site of the 2000 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, is considered one of the best mountain courses in the world. Other options include the stunning Lower Cascades, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and The Old Course, originally built in 1892 as a six-hole layout and expanded by Donald Ross in 1913.

The Homestead also features their World's Best Golf Package, which includes 18 holes of golf, breakfast and dinner daily, accommodations, and much more. Details about packages and all of The Homestead's offerings can be found on their website (www.thehomestead.com). For further information, complete the Reader Service Page or call (800) 838-1766.

KINGSMILL RESORT

Nestled within 2,900 pristine wooded acres on the historic James River and conveniently situated just three miles from Colonial Williamsburg, legendary Kingsmill Resort is named for English colonist, Richard Kingsmill, who settled there in 1736. Today, this GOLF Magazine Silver Medal Award winner (GREG--CORRECT??) makes for a royal golf vacation destination.

Kingsmill Resort features a perfect combination of great golf, unspoiled wilderness, and a wide range of resort amenities. The four-star, four-diamond property retains its natural and historic beauty, thanks to careful environmentally conscious development. The resort offers 400 villas, three championship 18-hole golf courses, a Par 3 nine-hole course, The Spa at Kingsmill, 15 clay and Deco Turf tennis courts, a Sports Club, four restaurants, a marina, and much more.

Kingsmill guests enjoy luxury in tastefully furnished villas overlooking the James River, golf courses, the tennis complex, or the beautifully manicured grounds. Available in guestroom and one-, two-, and three-bedroom suite accommodations, each villa includes a complete kitchen and living room, many with fireplaces and outdoor decks.

The Woods Course is Kingsmill's newest addition, making the resort the largest golf facility in the state. The famed River Course, designed by Pete Dye, is home of the Michelob Championship at Kingsmill on the PGA Tour, and is named for its enviable location along the wide and winding James River. Next, the Arnold Palmer- and Ed Seay-designed Plantation Course is characterized by moderate length, undulating greens, and a number of water hazards. Finally, the Par 3 Bray Links course provides a nice 9-hole Scottish links-style diversion, with holes ranging from 58 to 109 yards. The Kingsmill Golf Academy offers one-, two-, and three-day instructional programs, as well as several mini-schools.

Kingsmill Resort is definitely fit for a golfing king and so is their website (www.kingsmill.com). For more information, complete the Reader Service Page or call (800) 832-5665.

THE TIDES

Last year, a Northern Neck golf vacation became twice as good. After 30 years of friendly family competition, the Northern Neck's fabled Tides Inn merged with its neighboring resort, Tides Lodge.

Offering incredible views of the Chesapeake Bay, world-class American and European fare, unparalleled guest service, and great golf courses, the two resorts combined to make a very special golf vacation destination. The merger made the property the largest family-owned resort in the Mid-Atlantic.

The two properties, separated by 200 yards of Carters Creek, encompass more than 675 acres of land; 194 guest rooms; 64 marina slips; eight restaurants; 12 meeting rooms; 10 yachts and boats, including the 127-foot yacht, the Miss Ann (GREG--ITALICS, PLEASE); seven tennis courts; three swimming pools; two championship golf courses; a Par 3 course; and country club. Details of all amenities and packages are available on their helpful website (www.the-tides.com).

Quite simply, golf at the Inn's Golden Eagle is among the finest golf experiences in the region and is reason enough to visit The Tides. The Lodge's Tartan course, the original regulation course, was designed by Sir Guy Campbell of Scotland's Royal and Ancient and was completed by George Cobb. There's also a complimentary Par 3 executive course at the inn, as well as driving ranges and putting greens at both courses.

Of course, golf is followed by one of the region's finest resort experiences. From appealing accommodations to fine dining and a gracious staff, The Tides is a top choice for any vacationing golfer looking for the best of Virginia. For further information, complete the Reader Service Page or call (800) 843-3746.

WILLIAMSBURG AREA GOLF ASSOCIATION

The Williamsburg area has quickly become one of the most popular golf destinations in the country and the Williamsburg Area Golf Association features some of the top picks of visiting golfers on and off the links. The popular organization now offers eight upscale daily fee and resort courses.

With an array of lodging alternatives and golf package price points, the history and charm of Williamsburg, the thrills of amusement parks and horseracing, and an assortment of restaurants and shopping--its easy to see why golfers are finding Williamsburg to be a great place for a golf vacation.

Williamsburg Golf's 10 participating are hotels work together to make it easy for golfers to book their golf package vacations. Thus, with one call you can book your hotel and all of your tee times. Williamsburg Golf's 1999 Golf Vacation Planner details the courses, hotels, and package plans available for 1999 and is always complimentary to callers. Golfers can also obtain information at the Williamsburg Golf website (www.williamsburggolf.com).

Williamsburg is conveniently located on I-64 and is serviced by three major airports that offer a selection of flights and carriers daily. Of course, Colonial Williamsburg and other area attractions are always a draw off the links. For further information, complete the Reader Service Page or call (800) FOR GOLF.

WINTERGREEN RESORT

The Wintergreen experience is almost like owning your own national park. Wintergreen's 11,000-acre mountain and valley setting is, in fact, larger than some national parks and the range of recreational options is staggering. From the mountaintop down into the valley, 45 holes of championship golf is just the start.

When golfers challenge the Devils Knob course, they face 6,500 yards of tight, but fair, mountaintop excitement. Down in the valley, Stoney Creek was designed by Rees Jones and is set against the dramatic background of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The new Tuckahoe Nine, which opened last spring, gives Stoney Creek 27 championship holes. The new nine plays down the ridges and across the valleys and features the same spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views. Visiting golfers who want their game to be as beautiful as the resort should consider the Wintergreen Golf Academy as part of their Wintergreen vacation.

Other recreational amenities include: 25 tennis courts; one indoor and five outdoor swimming pools; Lake Monocan for swimming, canoeing, and fishing; biking (including a popular mountain biking program); the Equestrian Center at Rodes Farm; a 30-mile network of hiking trails; the Wintergreen Nature Foundation's Nature Center; the recently refurbished Wintergarden Spa and Fitness Center, featuring massage, aerobics, cosmetology center, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment; Stoney Creek fly fishing; the Mountain Inn Conference Center; five full-service restaurants; and famed winter skiing on 19 slopes and trails.

The resort offers 340 rental homes and condominiums, ranging in size from studios to seven bedrooms. Most accommodations have fireplaces, fully-equipped kitchens, and spectacular views.

Work is also ongoing at ever-improving Wintergreen, with a series of recreational enhancements and additions designed to keep Wintergreen a world-class year-round vacation destination. In addition to the new Tuckahoe Nine at Stoney Creek, other improvements include the new multi-million dollar Devils Knob Golf Clubhouse, new and larger pro shops for both courses, the new Devils Knob Tennis Center, expansion of the Wintergarden Spa and Fitness Center, and upgraded accommodations. Details about improvements and the resort as a whole are available on their helpful website (www.WintergreenResort.com).

There are many value-packed 'Stay and Play' packages for couples and foursomes. For further information, complete the Reader Service Page or call (800) 266-2444.

LET'S GO SURFING (OR DIALING):

With the following websites and toll-free numbers, you're bound to find a perfect Virginia golf vacation. For even easier service and material from a variety of resources, just complete our handy Reader Service Page.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG: www.colonialwilliamsburg.org; (800) HISTORY.

THE HOMESTEAD: www.thehomestead.com; (800) 838-1766.

KINGSMILL RESORT: www.kingsmill.com; (800) 832-5665.

THE TIDES: www.the-tides.com; (800) 843-3746.

WILLIAMSBURG AREA GOLF ASSOCIATION: www.williamsburggolf.com; (800) FOR GOLF.

WINTERGREEN RESORT: www.WintergreenResort.com; (800) 266-2444.

CONTACTS:

--Colonial Williamsburg--Carol Godwin, 757/220-7120

--The Homestead--Paula Lilly, 540/839-5500

--Kingsmill--Kevin Gaydosh, 757/340-7425, or Jennifer Hazelton, 843/849-6360

--The Tides--Charlie Domalik, 804/343-2300

--Williamsburg Golf--Jeff Fleishman, 757/229-0845

--Wintergreen--Dave Zunker, 804/325-8146