Lying in the southwest region of the
state, cradled by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Roanoke
Valley is a region that deserves more attention than it gets.
Admittedly it’s not the first place I would have picked for a
golf trip but when the opportunity presented itself I was sufficiently
intrigued to pack up the clubs and head south. Moreover, I was not
disappointed.
Primland Resort and
Highlands Golf Course is the premiere course
in Virginia’s Roanoke Valley
Situated at the southern boundary of Virginia’s Shenandoah
Valley, the Roanoke Valley was a pleasant surprise. It’s not a
region that intentionally hides its light under a bushel but as
everybody knows there’s tremendous competition in the world of
golf; and high-profile destinations tend to grab the lion’s share
of the limelight. However, many golfers have already taken trips to the
well-known venues and are eager to hear about untried locations where
the courses are commendable, there’s plenty of diversity and the
pot is sweetened with value-added entertainment. This, I discovered, is
exactly what the Roanoke Valley has to offer.
Primland’s
luxurious fairway cottages with spectacular views
of the Blue Ridge Mountains
The Links
One aspect about the golf courses in this part of Virginia is certain:
they all enjoy the visual benefit of the stunningly beautiful Blue
Ridge Mountains. This is a huge natural bonus that I first observed at
the Ashley Plantation Country Club, a 27-hole facility with three
distinctive nine-hole layouts. Nestled in a valley just north of the
city of Roanoke, the course is part of a residential community with the
mountains as a scenic backdrop. Established just over a decade ago,
this club that can be played for under $40 a round features rolling
fairways and numerous elevation changes. Ashley Plantation is one of
six Roanoke Valley courses that have joined together with a group of
hotels to offer visiting golfers stay/play packages starting at $183
for three rounds and two nights of accommodation.
Also just outside Roanoke, the award winning Hanging Rock Golf Club is
an 18-hole championship track enjoying a mountain setting that is pure
eye candy. Featuring a well-conceived layout, its narrow fairways call
for accurate shot-making, otherwise the alternative can result in a
whole lot of trouble. The par-4 5th is Hanging Rock’s signature
hole featuring two separate greens. Here, players can choose either a
straight, uphill shot to a large putting surface or take their chances
over water to a much smaller target. This course provides a good, solid
round of golf where green fees peak at a modest $40.
The scenic Olde Mill Golf Course--part of an 800-acre master-planned
resort 90 minutes from Roanoke--is another good choice. Originally
designed by Ellis and Dan Maples in the Donald Ross tradition, this
track features an abundance of water including a 54-acre lake. Olde
Mill is a seasoned course that opened in 1972 and its gently rolling
fairways can lead players to wrongly assume there is limited challenge.
Arguably the crème de la crème of the region’s
courses is at Primland, a sprawling, 1,200-acre resort that includes a
luxury lodge, fairway cottages and, last but not least, its 18-hole
Highlands course. This championship track has received nothing but
repeated awards and accolades since it opened in 2006. It’s a
lofty track that sits atop a forested mountain ridge 2,850 feet above
sea level and its inventive layout is one that appeals to serious
golfers.
However, it’s actually a course that is exceedingly playable for
all skill levels providing wishful thinking is not confused with
reality when choosing tee boxes.
While Highlands admittedly beat me up in a big way, it mattered not
since the pure pleasure of playing such a spectacular course far
outweighed my less than credible score. Drives are challenging but
there are no long carries and although there is no water on the course,
challenge comes into play with deep bunkers, tricky greens and a
network of ravines lying in wait for errant shots. When British
designer, Donald Steele, first visited the landscape he would
ultimately turn into one of Virginia’s finest courses, he said it
reminded him of the Highlands of Scotland. He certainly knew what he
was talking about because he is the first architect since 1913 to work
on the renewal of St. Andrews, Scotland, the birthplace of golf.
Grape
Expectations
There
is plenty of value-added
entertainment beyond fairways and greens of Roanoke Valley.
Among the
bonus attractions are wineries such as Chateau Morrisette, a facility
that has logged three decades of wine making excellence. This is one of
Virginia’s premier wineries where there are daily tours and
tastings,
plus an outstanding restaurant. Chateau Morrisette is one of several
wineries along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, often called
“America’s
Favourite Drive.”
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Château Morrisette is Virginia’s premiere winery,
offering daily tours and tastings
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City Lights
While there are plenty of places to stay in the area, including the
magnificent lodge at Primland, the city of Roanoke makes a good home
base for a golf junket. When the town was first established in the
mid-1800s, it was initially called The Big Lick, so named for large
salt deposits that attracted a variety of wildlife. Much has changed
since the city’s colonial era and today it’s a cosmopolitan
center. A vibrant downtown features plenty of restaurants, museums, a
public market and a new art gallery. Hotel Roanoke is a city landmark
that welcomes golf groups and offers special tailor-made packages in
association with three area courses. Built in 1882, this historic
property is a fully restored, Tudor-style building on the National
Register of Historic Places.
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