i almost don’t blame them for not wanting any local play. Its a redneck area, with little money, and even less pedigree for the most part, though the mountains are god damn beautiful if used properly.
I am a member at Ashley Plantation off 1-81 exit 150. Little public track but nice views and usually in great shape, ran a deal this year that to be a member and play after noon each day was only 37/month. Jumped on that. Through work stuff I can play at Roanoke Country Club or Hanging Rock on them, so play those two quite often as well.
Cascades and ballyhack are on my replay list for life, really want to get on waters edge down at smith mountain lake. Michael Jordan is still supposed to be a member down there, and that place never seems to crack many lists for the state and I’m not sure why having been near it from the water.
Went to the Courses at Andrews for the first time today (I know, technically Maryland, but this seems to be the de facto DC area chat, too), and I had an interesting experience.
Went out to play the South, got a push cart, and then got told by the starter that the South is a riding-only course and I’d have to play East or West instead. West is now a 9-hole layout, so I went with East. Played through my round and had a pretty decent day—ended up breaking 80 for the first time, with 39s on front and back capped off by birdies on 9 and 18. Plus a chip-in for a par save (something I haven’t accomplished since I took the game back up).
As I’m teeing up on 14, a guy parks over by the tee box, comes out, and asks about the conditions. I was upfront, said it’s an interesting course for a first-timer and that the fairways are a little beat up and the greens are a bit muddy, but it’s the end of the summer so that’s kind of how it goes. Guy says “well I’m the superintendent—” oh shit, I’m about to get chewed out, “—so I appreciate your honesty! I’ve only been here 8 months, but yeah we got beat up pretty good this summer.”
We had a quick chat about the East, and then he told me that after I was finished I should grab a cart and go drive through the South course. Says it’s a hidden gem in the area and incredibly underrated for what’s there, even after the re-routing. Apparently right when he got here, or shortly before, they went from 54 holes to 45, and it really upped the usage per day on the two remaining 18-hole courses. I took his advice, grabbed a cart, and I cannot wait to come back and play the South. Tons of stellar holes and a very challenging links layout; it looks like a really interesting course and it’s night and day from East.
Anybody have experience on these courses before the re-routing? I’d be interested to hear how they changed given the distinct personalities of what’s there now. Were the East and West pretty similar, or were they as different as East and South?
Hey all, I’m strongly considering the VSGA Multi-Format 2 Man Tournament on Oct 25-26, at Spring Creek GC around Charlottesville but may need a partner if my current guy falls through.
Anyone interested in playing? Should be a fun format and reasonable price for the course.
I’m 26 and live in NoVa, currently playing at a 4 handicap but trending down. Played D3 golf at a decent school in VA so used to have some game.
So, somehow my buddy’s dad who is a high roller was able to procure 2 tee times for Ballyhack oct 12 at 10:00 for a bachelor outing for my buddy. Fucking pumped for this, should be the perfect week with the leaves changing and weather. Gonna be attempting to get 36 in that day of course since its one rate for the day, $165.00
The irony is this course is 12 mins from my house.
Sorry for the delay in responding! I enjoyed the River Course a lot! Although it sits on a very narrow piece of land between the New River and the bluffs it doesn’t ever feel narrow as a course. Dye did a good job of disguising how much width you have. I thought 16 represented a great example. I felt a bit confused by the bunker placement, but then realized I had more room once I got closer to the green. I’d definitely go back! (Although next time I would wear more sunscreen, because that got out of control.)
I havent played Andrews in a good minute, but the east and west were pretty similar with the west being a bit shorter. I always thought those two holes that jump out into the area by south (9 and 10?) just didnt fit at all.
South is fun for sure
Im down in the belvoir area now…I just cant get into the bevoir courses,
I live in NoVa and stick mostly to the VA courses. I recommend Laurel Hill. It’s a Fairfax County public course, and as a public course, the conditions aren’t always great. But it’s a very cool layout and has had some tournaments, like the Pub Links. I also really like Westfields. It has a private-ish feel and usually pretty good conditioning for a public course. This is a good time of year to play it.
I used to love Potomac Shores but I can’t recommend even trying it now. They pretty much destroyed it.
There is some discussion in this thread about Stonewall. Worth a look, but I don’t care much for it. So much untapped potential.
agreed, potomac shores was pretty trash last fall when i played it. buddy used to be the super there and it was in much better shape just a few years back.
I talked to a guy at Laurel Hill yesterday that said a friend played Potomac Shores recently and said that it was in good shape. I played 1-2 months ago, and the greens were bare in spots. Many spots. And the rest of the turf was very spotty. I have a hard time believing that it’s improved to the point of being “good,” but I guess it’s possible.
well in all fairness bent grass greens can go to shit real quick around july/august in VA with the heat, so its definitely possible they have come back a bit since it cooled off, but doubtful
i played it last november for a buddies memorial tourney and it was mediocre at best…the super had put some kind of shit all over the greens that smelled horrible and would cling to your ball when you putted
If I recall correctly, they were closed last summer to change the fairways and greens from bent to Bermuda. It seemed like a strange change given the age of the course and the conditions prior to the change. When I played earlier this year, it looked like the new turf never really flourished. I hope they can get it under control because it’s a very cool layout and a lot of fun.
he also said that they cant go bermuda that far north just yet…no varieties have been cultivated to take the cold yet and they would be smoked every winter
he thinks the further north bermuda goes in VA is richmond for their greens
That makes sense. The fairways were relatively nice and definitely bermuda. I was pretty certain that the greens, at least what’s left of them, were bent despite being told earlier that they would be bermuda.
I have heard that this is a tough region for golf because it’s on the border between bermuda and bent where neither is ideal.
