In Golfweek’s 2013 Best Courses You Can Play

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RANKINGS

Play the Highest Ranked Public Course in the Richmond – Williamsburg Area

Other Virginia Courses picked include:

Virginia

1) Homestead Resort (Cascades),Hot Springs (No. 75 c)

2) Highland Course at Primland, Meadows of Dan (m)

3) Royal New Kent, Providence Forge (m)

4) Golden Horseshoe (Gold), Williamsburg (m)

5) Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg (m)

6) Riverfront GC at Harbor View, Suffolk (m)

7) Bay Creek GC (Nicklaus), Cape Charles (m)

8) Mattaponi Springs, Ruther Glen (m)

9) Independence GC, Midlothian (m)

10) Laurel Hill, Lorton (m)

Stacy Lewis, Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, Michelle Wie, and Juli Inkster have joined the field for the Kingsmill Championship at Kingsmill Resort, September 3-9, 2012

Arguably playing the best golf of anybody on the LPGA Tour, Stacy Lewis has soared up the Rolex World Rankings all the way to number two. Coming off a spectacular year in 2011 racking up 12 top-ten finishes, two second place finishes, and one major title win,Lewis is showing no signs of slowing down in 2012. Lewis has won two tournaments already this year, is currently the number one player on the 2012 LPGA Money List, and is the top-ranked American player.

Fan-favorite on the LPGA Tour, Natalie Gulbis, is currently playing in her 11th season on the tour. Gulbis earned a spot on the LPGA Tour in her first attempt in 2001 after finishing third in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. The 2007 Evian Masters Champion has played on three victorious U.S. Solheim Cup teams (2005, 2007, and 2009).

Morgan Pressel turned professional at age 17 and is the youngest-ever winner of a modern LPGA major championship (2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship). The 23-year- old from Tampa, Florida is a three time U.S. Solheim Cup team member and is undefeated (3-0-0) in singles play in her appearances. Pressel has reached as high as fourth in the world rankings in her career and currently sits at number 30.

Michelle Wie made an early impact in the professional golf world, setting and still holding the record as the youngest player to make the cut in an LPGA event (13 years, 5 months, 17 days). By 2006, Wie had climbed to the third ranked female golfer in the world. Wie joined the LPGA Tour in 2009 and has won two titles (2009 Lorena Ochoa Invitational, and the 2010 CN Canadian Women’s Open).

In her first full LPGA season in 1984, Juli Inkster took home Rookie of the Year honors after winning two major championships. Throughout her career, Inkster has won 31 tournaments on the LPGA Tour including seven major championships. Inkster is fifth on the LPGA career money list and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000.

“We are ecstatic to announce the commitment of these five extraordinary athletes,” says Kingsmill Championship Tournament Director, Katherine Thigpen. “We are thrilled to be able to attract a field of this caliber as the LPGA Tour makes its return to Williamsburg for the first time since 2009. You can really sense the excitement around the community as we are now just two weeks away from teeing it up.”

The Kingsmill Championship will be staged September 3-9 at Kingsmill Resort’s River Course. The top women golfers in the world will compete for the $1.3 million purse in this 72-hole, stroke play tournament. Tickets start as low as $25 and can be purchased online at www.thekingsmillchampionship.com. Kids 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult.

For more information, visit www.thekingsmillchampionship.com.

About Kingsmill on The James

Kingsmill On The James is a vibrant resort community, less than three miles from Colonial Williamsburg, and located on a 2900 acre protected area along the historic James River.  Forty percent of the rolling green and wooded development will remain untouched. The two gated entrances are manned round the clock and there is a private police force.

There is a wide variety of  housing choices available for residents in Kingsmill, these range from condos, townhouses, and courtyard/ patio/ villas on smaller lots to smaller detached single family and large luxury homes, many with first floor master suites. Many of the homes were designed, however, with seniors in mind.

There are six restaurants on site, 54 holes of golf with a golf club house, and a tennis club with fifteen courts. There is a superb sports club with both indoor and outdoor pools, racquetball courts, sauna, and fitness rooms. There is also a full service spa and a large marina on the river with access to the bay. The full service marina has 90 permanent slips and 15 transient boat slips.

Kingsmill is located off I-64 between Richmond and Norfolk and within close proximity to Williamsburg’s numerous destinations including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, The College of William & Mary, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

For additional information about Kingsmill real estate click here

Just received this email from Traditional Golf:

Dear Traditional Rewards Club Members,

Thank you for your continued loyalty to our golf courses. We hope you are enjoying this great summer season and playing as much golf as possible.

We would like to make you aware of a recent development pertaining to the operations of our clubs. As of August 1, 2012 Traditional Golf no longer manages Kiskiack (Williamsburg) or The Crossings (Glen Allen). Subsequently, they will no longer be participating in the Rewards Club program.

Traditional Golf will maintain the program at Stonehouse, Royal New Kent and Brickshire where you will continue to earn points for every dollar spent. All of your accrued points are still valid and may be redeemed at these three clubs as usual (250 pts for a free weekday round; 500 points for a free weekend round).

We know a lot of you enjoyed Kiskiack and The Crossings and we would like to extend a token of our appreciation for your loyalty. Redeem the following coupon for 50 bonus rewards club points the next time you play at Stonehouse, Royal New Kent or Brickshire.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned golf veteran, players of all skill levels will enjoy the course at Kiln Creek Golf Club and Resort. Voted one of the “five best courses in the state of Virginia” by Golf Digest, Kiln Creek’s beautiful 18-hole championship course offers members & guests an unparalleled golf experience. The 6,972 yard, par 72 layout was designed by the highly respected architect Tom Clark. Kiln Creek also includes a spacious & targeted driving range along with putting & chipping greens. The club offers a full service Pro Shop, professional instruction & Outing Packages that are second to none. Kiln Creek has the tools to make you the player you hope to be! Kiln Creek provides the country club experience at affordable rates. Spend a day with us & you’ll understand why we are “The Hidden Jewel of Newport News.”

Read about the Kiln Creek Neighborhood- Explore homes for sale in Kiln Creek

In the Williamsburg VA area the courses listed below are no more than a 20 minute drive. The best values are listed first with the most expensive last:

1. Kiln Creek is in Newport News, off I-64 at the VA 171 exit, just south of the Newport News Airport. It’s a resort with accommodations, a little tired and dated from the looks of it, but you don’t have to stay there to play the golf course. It was was designed by Tom Clark in the late 1980′s, routed through an established residential neighborhood with houses lining the holes, a good amount of water in play, and well bunkered.

2. The Colonial Golf Club CLOSED is located just north of Williamsburg, and was designed by Lester George and Robert Wrenn. Bentgrass greens, Bermuda everywhere else. Reasonably priced parkland style course. Mostly forgiving off the tee, wetlands cause a few forced carries and border some of the layout, doglegs throughout, nice large greens with light undulations and good speed, A couple of lakes along the fairways, and not much in the way of bunkers, just a fun course, in a quiet natural setting.

3. Newport News Golf Club is off I-64 at exit 250, Fort Eustis Blvd., then east to the golf course about a mile. There’s two 18 hole parkland style of layouts at Deer Run, both designed by Ed Ault in the 1960′s. The Deer Run is the stronger of the two courses, playing to over 7,200 yards from the tips with a 133 slope. The Cardinal is more forgiving at a 118 slope from the 6,600 yard tips. Both layouts are parkland style, routed through the trees with natural corridors, and no homes or development in play.

4. Club at Viniterra opened at the height of the recession, and was intended to be a high end private club and gated community. It hasn’t taken off and remains open for public play. It was designed by Rees Jones, and located 20 miles east of downtown Richmond in New Kent off I-64 at exit 211 . Upscale layout, although it’s not in pristine condition always, but generally the rates are very reasonable for the quality of the course. It was carved through the forest with good sized fairways and run-ups to most of the massive greens. Great variety of holes with some decent elevation change, wetlands and water, and plenty of sand.

5. Traditions at Kiskiack is off I-64 at exit 231 B, Croaker RD. Beautiful parkland style course with good elevation change, designed by John LaFoy, and is 6,775 yards, 72.5 course rating, and 134 slope from the championship tees, with three other sets of tees. A good challenging course for all levels of play, and reasonable greens fees. There’s water in play on a couple of holes, the front nine warms you up for a tougher backside, but overall very fair, and well conditioned course. Amazing course and setting when you consider it was once a trash dump and sand pit. No houses, just golf in a beautiful setting, and nice set of par threes, all unique.

6. Traditions at Stonehouse is just outside of Williamsburg, off I-64 at exit 227. Great golf course by Mike Strantz. Challenging, but fair off the tee, hilly with big greens, requires good tee shot placement for a shot at scoring. It plays to 6,962 yards, 140 slope, and 75.0 course rating from the tips. and opened in 1995. Steep and sloping fairways, tree lined, forced carries over ravines, well bunkered, it’s just a good solid challenge and interesting holes, nothing boring here. Well conditioned, some houses in play, but not real distracting.

7. Traditions at Royal New Kent is on the Richmond side of Williamsburg, about a 15 minute drive. It was designed by Mike Strantz after the links courses of Ireland, and it’s a great rendition, and much less costly than making the trip across the pond! There’s a lot of the same design elements as you’d find on a traditional links course, open and windy, rolling and rugged terrain, and fairways tumbling and bordered by fall fescue grass. There’s target rocks to provide direction to blind fairways, with deep pot bunkers that usually require a blast back out to the fairway. There’s blind shots to the greens hidden behind grassy knolls, stacked rock walls but the fairways are wide and forgiving, although there’s 120 bunkers scattered in the fairways at some odd intervals and right around the greens. The greens are huge and fast, but do promote the run up shot which is so useful in the British Isle’s links courses. Play the course from the right set of tees and you’ll enjoy the game much more.

8. Colonial Heritage Golf Club a quality layout at a reasonable rate, at least for the Williamsburg area. It’s on the north side of town, just west of Richmond Highway, off I-64 at Humelsine Parkway. The layout was designed by Arthur Hills, and is routed through an upscale residential community. It’s a parkland style of layout with tree lined fairways, a few holes with water, and a good amount of sand, playing to somewhat large and undulating and sloped greens, which are typically very quick. Tough layout from the tips, a 147 slope from 6,900 yards, the Silver tees at 6,000+ yards are still a good challenge at a 75.9 course rating and 136 slope.

9. The Club at Brickshire is located midway between Williamsburg and Richmond off I-64 at exit 214. It’s an Ault Clark/Curtis Strange design through a residential development that plays to 7,291 yards from the back tees. Good elevation change, parkland style course, usually in good shape, with a lot of variety in the holes. Mostly wide open off the tee, the main feature here are some replica holes from St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pinehurst #2, and Riviera CC.

10. Williamsburg National Golf Club is on the west side of Williamsburg, off Monticello, routed through a residential community, and two 18 hole championship courses, reasonably priced compared to some of the other high end courses in the area. They’ve challenging through the trees, well maintained, and good guest service. There’s were some unique holes, and some back and forth, overall a good experience.The Jamestown is a Nicklaus design of 7,000 yards, .Black 73.1/128. The York Town course also plays to 7,000 yards from the tips, and was designed by Tom Clark. There’s a 20% break in rates if you’re staying at particular hotels in the area, so if you plan to play here a couple of times, check with the golf shop to see which hotels are participating. If I were only playing one course here, it would be the Nicklaus course.

11. Golden Horseshoe Golf Club with two fantastic 18-hole courses as well as its nine-hole, they call it “executive course.” The Gold Course is the old classic stable here, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. It’s layout is over rolling hills, with tree lined fairways with water, and forced carries across ravines in play, tight course with a lot of elevation change, playing to large sculptured and contoured greens that are fast. The Green Course was designed by Rees Jones, and it is a more traditional resort course with open fairways and mounding, and is a lot easier on your game, on basically the same land as the Gold course.

12. Ford’s Colony is just off the 234 exit of I-64, then west on 199 to Rt 60/Centerville Road, a couple of miles. Three 18 hole championship golf courses here routed through a huge residential community of upscale homes, a Marriott and a timeshare development. There’s a 20% discount is you’re staying at the Marriott, but otherwise the rates aren’t too high for the area. The courses, Marsh Hawk, Black Heath, and Blue Heron are all somewhat similar in the layout, tree lined fairways, marsh, lake, and creek bordered, well bunkered and at different levels of challenge. The Blue Heron course is the shortest at 6,156 yards from the Gold tees, 70.2 course rating, and 127 slope, designed by Dan Maples and is the newest course here. Somewhat open off the tee, but routed through mostly wetlands and is the more strategic of the courses here. Marsh Hawk is a Maple design as well, and is 500 yards longer with a 132 slope, with tighter fairways off the tee, some elevation change, and well guarded greens. Blackheath has water on most of the holes a lot of doglegs, forced carries, tree lined fairways, and bunkers throughout, probably the last of the courses you should play if you’re staying here a few days.

13. Kingsmill, saving the best for last, Kingsmill is a golf resort and upscale residential community, south of Williamsburg on the James River. The River Course is twice as expensive as the Plantation and the Woods course, but it is the PGA Tour course venue, and designed by Pete Dye, a tough, challenging layout in a pristine setting, and always in great shape. The Plantation course is an Arnold Palmer design with some of the same elements as the River course, just not on the River, but water comes into play on at least half the holes. The Woods course was designed by Curtis Strange and Tom Clark and is a classic parkland style with tight tree lined fairways, and is the newest, and maybe the toughest of the three.

Virginia golf doesn’t get any better than this

Two of the best names in golf designed Two Rivers: Tom Fazio and Mother Nature.

“What first impressed me with this Virginia golf project was the Williamsburg location and its connotation of quality. The number one priority was creating the highest quality and caliber of golf. There was no compromise. ”

- Tom Fazio

A Golf Digest Top 10 Virginia ranking and tournament play attest to the caliber of Two Rivers.

Among the Most Beautiful Golf Courses in Virginia

Mother Nature is kind to the Virginia Peninsula. We lie just south of the usual winter storm track and just north of the southern hurricane zone.

Our four distinct seasons are mild and pleasant for outdoor activity year round. Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay, Chickahominy River and James River, we normally stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In fact, the “cold months” of December and January have highs of around 50 degrees.

Benefits of a private golf course

Between rounds, members take advantage of expansive practice facilities that include a driving range, chipping area and two putting greens. Our Halfway house is conveniently located after holes #6 and #11. The fully stocked golf pro shop provides the latest in golf technology and fashion.

One of Golf Digest’s Top 10 golf courses in Virginia

“The variety of holes and the flow of the land give this course its uniqueness. The style and individual character of each hole offer so many distinct features that it will be immediately recognized as a top course. ” - Tom Fazio

Because of the quality of TRCC, it has been selected as a host site for the following Virginia golf events:

• Sectional qualifying for USGA national championship
• Top Senior Amateur invitational events
• College tournaments and practice venue for the William & Mary men’s and women’s golf teams

Call  to find out more about making Two Rivers Country Club your home course.

Rob Collins Membership Director Two Rivers Country Club (757) 258-4610 ext 226 Rob@TwoRiversClub. com

Read more about homes and the Governors Land Community

Brickshire Golf Club
Everybody loves Brickshire. You will too. The popularity of this four-year-old Curtis Strange signature course is easily explained in two words: “player friendly.” Discover wide, inviting fairways, artfully sculpted, true-rolling greens, and dramatic elevation changes. Golf Digest readers recently honored The Golf Club at Brickshire with a four and a half star rating. Golf Styles named Brickshire one of the mid-Atlantic’s “Must Play” courses.

U. S. Open Champion Curtis Strange has created a unique golfing experience by replicating some of his favorite holes from around the world: St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pinehurst #2, and Riviera CC. You’ll never forget our 15th hole, a wickedly picturesque par 3 that is infamous in the area. Finish in style on our panoramic 18th hole, a dramatic par 5 that was named one of the best finishing holes in the mid-Atlantic.
The Golf Club at Brickshire is conveniently located between Richmond and Williamsburg just off I-64 at Exit 214

Explore Brickshire homes and the Brickshire community

For those seeking the country feeling the game once offered (minus the organic land mines, of course)-I’ve got a suggestion. Go to Kiskiack Golf Club. Kiskiack is located approximately fifteen minutes from Colonial Williamsburg and thirty-five minutes from Richmond, Virginia, but it’s centuries away from your typical house golf course.

You get the ‘country’ feeling right away, even exiting the interstate. You head north towards a hamlet called ‘Croaker,’ and all that surrounds you is farm fields. You just sense this place is different.

Kiskiack Golf Club boasts a John LaFoy design that plays to 6,775 yards from the championship tees and a par of 71. In addition to the beautiful parkland setting, it’s an incredibly playable golf course. There’s very little not to like about Kiskiack-it’s the way golf was in the old days when a ‘country club’ truly was in the country.

There are only three par fours over 400 yards, and none greater than 428 yards; three of the par fives are reachable in two; and many of the holes have no out of bounds to threaten your wayward shots. And, the course is very walk able.

But for those reading who’ve never played Kiskiack, don’t get the wrong impression-the course isn’t a cakewalk. It’s not just a flat muni in the middle of a farm quarter. There’s more than enough golf challenge and hole variety to keep you occupied, never fear.

All of the par threes are pretty long–the shortest from the back tees being number seventeen at 181 yards, but even that’s slightly uphill and often plays into the wind.

The others play at 200 yards or more-so you’ll be hitting long irons or fairway woods into all of the greens.

The course’s player friendly nature is demonstrated by the first hole. At a straightforward 528 yards with a wide fairway, you’ll have a good chance to make your first shot of the round a successful one. Avoid the fairway bunkers that frame the long-range landing area, and you’ve got a decent shot at going at the green in two.

There’s a trio of bunkers laying approximately 80 yards before the green, but clearing those allows for a reasonable run-up opportunity. A fairly easy par builds confidence for the round.

The balance of the outward nine winds in and out of parkland and open-space, where you’ll see the true character of the course unfold. There are some mild elevation changes, some generous tee box opportunities, some elevated greens and some incredible scenery. Water comes into play on the eighth and ninth holes-the left side for both the par five eighth and par four ninth.

The backside’s opening holes bring the largest body of water on the course into play. The tenth is a medium length slight dogleg right with wetlands on the right and the lake in back of the green. The eleventh is the club’s signature hole-a 200 yard par three calling for a full water carry to a three tiered green guarded by a sizeable set of bunkers in front and to the deep side right. Some holes look scary but aren’t; some holes look tame, but are deceptive; the eleventh looks scary, and is-no deception.

The round concludes with another great hole. The eleventh gets top billing for the signature hole, but the eighteenth has to be right behind it-mainly because of the view from the tee. The tee box is elevated, and your sight line includes a large pond in front, with landing areas to the right and across the pond.

A great way to end the round. A confidence builder for the first hole, and a round maker for the last. But that pretty much sums up the entire experience at Kiskiack. Make a trip out there when you need a break from modern day evolution.

Kiskiack Golf Club
8104 Club Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 566-2200
1-800-989-4728

Stonehouse Golf Club
Stonehouse is laid over wild, tumbling hills near the York River in the Tidewater Region. When it opened in 1996, The Tradition Golf Club at Stonehouse was named “Best New Upscale Public Course in the Nation” and one of the “Top New Ten You Can Play” by golf Magazine. The tradition of accolades and awards continues. In 2001, Gold Digest ranked Stonehouse among the top 6 courses in Virginia. Stonehouse is also on Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play” and Golf & Travel’s list of “100 Best Modern Courses”

Explore homes and the Stonehouse community

Located just minutes away from Historic Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia lies Ford’s Colony Country Club. In an atmosphere of relaxed elegance, our Club is where you’ll gather again and again for good times with your friends and neighbors, whether you are enjoying the club as a member or guest.
Ford’s Colony features 54 holes with three distinct championship golf courses, designed by Dan Maples each course brings its own challenges and highlights. Whether you play Blackheath, Blue Heron, or Marsh Hawk, the courses at Ford’s Colony are sure to keep you coming back. This semi-private golf club features some of the best resort golf in Virginia.
Members of Ford’s Colony Country Club also enjoy a top of the line golf academy with PGA certified teaching professionals, private member-only driving range, great dining and events in our three restaurants. It’s Williamsburg Country Club living at its best.

Three Championship Courses

Blackheath
This picturesque golf course will keep you on your toes. You will face water on 13 holes, a total of 9 doglegs and bunkers guarding every green.  There are many elevation changes and the prevailing winds just might provide their own challenge. This course plays a lot longer than the 6,621 yards stated on the scorecard.

Blue Heron
Blue Heron is a favorite of many of our guests and members with its long and challenging par 3’s, fair and forthright par 4’s and intimidating par 5’s.  Blue Heron provides some room for error off of the tee, however makes up for the easy with its well protected greens.  Set among Virginia’s dense wetlands, this unique setting is home to many different birds, fish and other aquatic life.

Blue Heron plays 6266 from the back tee with three other tee options to fit your game.

Marsh Hawk
The Marsh Hawk provides a very different challenge than our Blue Heron course. Tight tree-lined fairways mean you better bring your “A” game.  This par 72 course measures 6,650 yards from the back tees and features undulating greens and the best finishing holes around. Take a journey with us as you play around natural lakes and elevation changes.

Explore the Ford’s Colony Community

Membership

A variety of Membership options are available. Whether you’re an avid golfer that wants to play as much as possible, or a casual golfer that maybe only has time to play on the weekends, there is something for everyone.  Ford’s Colony Country Club is not just for golfers,enjoy great events, dining and social activities. Join Ford’s Colony where community and fun are always an affair.

We offer 3 great restaurants, a variety of meeting and banquet facilities, a fully stocked Pro Shop, active Men’s and Women’s Golf Associations, an array of special club tournaments and a very active schedule of monthly member Social & Dining events. Pair this with 54 holes of great golf, and are sure to find that Ford’s Colony offers something that no other club in the Williamsburg area can.

The Benefits of Membership:
• Enjoy 54 holes of golf with our featured 3 Championship Golf Courses
• Members Only Course Daily
• Men’s 18 Hole Golf Associations
• Men’s 18 Hole Golf Associations
• Women’s 18 Hole Golf Associations
• Women’s 9 Hole Golf Associations
• Club Sponsored Tournaments
• Member’s Only Grille
• Fabulous Year Round Social Events Calendar
• Members Only driving range and practice green
• Preferred membership rate available to join the state of the art Golf Academy
• 4 Tees Beginner Golf Program
• Includes entire immediate family

To view a membership packet with more details on each membership type offered please click here.

For more information on membership pricing, specials, and help deciding which membership fits into your lifestyle, please call Gary Huneycutt,  head of membership sales, at (757) 258-4345 or click here to contact them