Something a Little Different
The Pete Dye River Course at Virginia Tech in Radford has been called
brutal, challenging and beautiful—it also has a combination of features
that keep golfers of all skill levels entertained. Home of the Virginia
Tech golf team, the course was redesigned by Pete Dye in 2005 and
was landscaped to accentuate the New River Valley. Eight holes play
directly to the river’s edge. A bisecting 70-foot rock cliff created the
opportunity to build two distinct but complementary nine-hole loops
that start and finish near the club area. Groundbreaking for a new
$5.5 million clubhouse takes place this summer. The River Course has
many characteristics of Scottish courses, including pot bunkers and
sodded grass. 540-633-6732; rivercoursegolf.vt.edu.
the game and at the natural landscape to
develop new and challenging play for the
game’s fans.
As the weather warms and the greens
call, here are five courses that have made
their mark and are worthy of your tee
times this summer.
Something Old Is New Again
Closed for nearly three years, the
Garrison’s Lake Golf Course in Smyrna,
Del., has a new look, new owners and
new management. The state Parks and
Recreation Department purchased
Hoping to make atn eagle at any one
of these courses, top to bottom: The
Pete Dye River Course at Virginia
Tech, Atlantic City Country Club and
Garrison Lake Delaware
the course in July 2004 and invested
$4 million in removing and trimming a
number of overgrown trees. The work
also improved the underdrainage of the
bunkers and the overall irrigation on
the course. Those who have played here
in years gone by will recognize many
landscape components and will find a
number of fun and new challenges. Originally playing at more than 7,000 yards
from the tips, Garrison’s Lake features
a collection of par 3s that stretch up to
200 yards and a collection of par 4s.
302-234-3365; dsga.org.
