Unfortunate but good to hear. It seems like it should be a really nice course but the fact that virtually no one in my area talks about playing it made me think it probably wasn’t worth the high price tag. However they do have some good deals occasionally. So maybe if I can get a good price and combine it with doing something else in the area, it’ll be worth the trip. Thanks for the report. Probably saved me a $100.
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it used to be a really great place…i remember playing it 20+ years ago and really enjoying it…one of those courses where you pretty much only see the hole you are on, at least thats how i remembered it anyways
yeah its a lot of windy paths and one of a kind holes. 9/10 design. No gimmick holes, and uses the natural layout well. Gary Player did his job, the course staff not so much.
I do. It’s in as good of shape as it’s ever been. Boss is a member at Kinloch and played a couple weeks ago and said other than his course, it’s the best shape he’s played locally in a while.
Just moved to DC for a new job, checking in here since I didn’t see a roll call thread for the district. Any Virginia courses I should be sure to check out before work starts up in a few weeks? I played the Pete Dye River Course at VT on the drive up here and loved it. Is there much good public golf to be had in the area, or is it mostly private courses in DC? I’ve played East Potomac and Langston, but haven’t been out to Rock Creek yet.
Would love to hear thoughts on 1757 Golf Club if anyone has played it
I used to play it a couple times a year back when I lived in the area. It’s a pretty stern test. It was always in good shape but the pace was slow. They really try to get a lot of people on the course and it gets jammed. Everything is pretty straightforward except for a couple tee shots where the line you need to take depends on how far you carry it (#4 short par 4), (#12 short par 4), because the fairway runs diagonal to the tee. Greens are normal. Nothing crazy. 18 is a weird par 3 finisher as it’s pretty much in the middle of a practice area. Huge range but I don’t think you can use the grass part unless you’re a member.
There’s also a Wegman’s across the street for a great sub.
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Pretty spot on from @16greens39putts …I live fairly close to 1757 so i get out there a few times a year.
To me it’s always felt like they had probably 14 holes worth of land and just had to make it work.
It’s really tight in some areas, but If you don’t mind keeping driver in the bag it’s a solid test. Their conditioning is typically a cut above other similarly priced courses in the area too. They have some of the best public practice facilities in Northern Virginia and their staff is really friendly as well.
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Hey all - I will be in Roanoke for a wedding on Oct 19 and have the morning/early afternoon free. Any decent courses in the area? I’ve played the River Course but thinking it might be a touch far for the situation so any suggestions are appreciated. Also, if anyone is looking to get a game, I’d be up for it.
If you wanna play with me at Ashley Plantation (my home track) feel free. Its right off I-81 about 15 mins from downtown Roanoke. Decent little track for the money and has been in solid shape all year, has a par 6, gimmicky for sure but something you don’t see every day.
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Ballyhack is supposed to be very fun. Technically private but I think a phone call would all you need to play. Part of Dormie Network, which seem to all take public tee times.
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@Redan what did you think of the river course a few weeks back? How’d she play?
Good instinct, that’s exactly what happened.
The original design was across another adjacent parcel, but they ran into money issues in (you guessed it) 2007-2008. The development was tied to a corporate-only membership model focused on the tech jet-set immediately around the site (Verizon, AOL, etc). The land was an assemblage, portions of the deal went bankrupt or they lost their option on the adjacent parcel and just developed on what they had.
Tremendous practice facility, as well as a cool Top Tracer event space. Good teaching staff as well.
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I stayed at the Embassy Suites just down the road from there the last time I was in town. I was going to play there, but after driving by it and looking at the website, I didn’t think it was going to be very nice. I decided to hit up the local breweries instead. Not that I regret that decision, but now I kind of wish I had played it.
Speaking of Ballyhack, tried calling there in the past to see if they’d allow outside play and got shot down. Always wanted to play that course and Kinloch but they’re my white whales here in VA. Anybody a member or know some members that could maybe make playing a possibility?
In 8 years of living 15 mins away I’ve been on all of once.
I have tried a lot lies, I knew an asst pro there even. Nada.
I keep working new angles and shit but never can scrape a way on. They hate locals.
If I can ever manage to scrape another tee time, I’ll make sure I bring refuge homies
It’s not like you missed a once in a lifetime experience. Breweries was probably a good call.
Honestly, I only live an hour and a half away. So not like I can’t go back. I was only staying overnight so I didn’t have to drive in rush hour traffic to an early meeting. I was just looking for an evening round to kill time. I definitely didn’t make a bad decision, but it sounds like playing wouldn’t have been the waste I thought it would have been.
Has anybody here recently looked at joining a golf club in the DC area? I just moved here and am in the early stages of thinking about this, but if anyone had a good starting list of prices/places to check out I’d be really appreciative. I’m 29, so theoretically looking for a club with executive/junior memberships if those are a thing around here.
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You are spot on about locals. They like being the second club for the vast majority of their members and don’t want a lot of play. Where do you play in the area? I am ending my membership at Stonehenge at the end of the month and have always felt that we just don’t have quality value public courses in the area.