Virginia Is for Golfers: 2005 Virginia Golf Guide Touts New Courses, Makeovers and Legendary Favorites

RICHMOND, Va. - Golf in Virginia has never been better. More than 200 resort and daily fee courses throughout the Commonwealth range from historic and stately to new and innovative. Signature courses by the finest golf course architects wait to be tested by the discriminating golfer while less challenging facilities welcome those who are still developing their games.

The 2005 Virginia Golf Guide offers a list of Virginia courses and maps that pinpoint their locations. Articles and photographs give a glimpse into the history and beauty of Virginia golf. The 2005 guide carries information linking selected courses with nearby Colonial and Civil War history and also tells the stories of legendary Virginia golfers such as Sam Snead.

Virginia’s diverse topography offers golfers the chance to play courses that are anchored in mountain terrain, in rolling piedmont or in the sawgrass of ocean shores. Quality courses in each of Virginia’s regions are within easy driving distance. Some localities offer a cluster of fine golf facilities. Williamsburg, for example, was named one of the top 25 golfing destinations in the world by Golf Digest magazine.

Sprinkled liberally throughout Virginia are signature courses by top designers such as Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (and Jr.), Rees Jones, Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, Fred Couples and Virginia native Curtis Strange. This year, Virginia adds new courses by Jack Nicklaus at Bay Creek and Greg Norman at Lansdowne Resort.

Along with the newer courses are legendary favorites such as the Cascades Course at The Homestead. Opened in 1923, the course has seen few significant modifications – a testament to the integrity of its original design. It remains one of the world’s most honored courses and recently placed #4 among Golf Digest’s list of the 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses in America.

Some Virginia courses have recently received makeovers including a Pete Dye transformation of the River Course at Kingsmill Resort & Spa near Williamsburg. In May, the new facelift will be tested by the world’s top female professional golfers when it hosts the LPGA Michelob ULTRA Open.

In September the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Lake Manassas again plays host to the President’s Cup. A team of the best American golfers captained by Jack Nicklaus takes on an international team captained by Gary Player. Both the President’s Cup and the Michelob ULTRA Open provide golf fans a chance to get an up-close look at the world’s elite golfers.

Travelers can find the perfect courses for their Virginia golfing vacation in the new 2005 Virginia Golf Guide. The 72-page, full-color guide is free by calling 1-800-93BACK9 (1-800-932-2259). Also ask for a free Virginia Travel Guide when calling the toll-free number. It contains 224 pages of essential information on lodging, dining, attractions, shopping and outdoor recreation for creating a tailored driving tour of Virginia golf destinations. You can also visit the Virginia Tourism Corporation website, www.Virginia.org/golf, and look for new golf packages.