 If
the Slipper Fits,
It Just Might Be the Green Course
By Jeffrey A.
Rendall, TravelGolf.com Staff Writer
Williamsburg, VA - Jeff Winters, Head Golf Professional at the Golden
Horseshoe Golf Club's Green Course, says "We have a tremendous
course here," then pauses. "But we still can't get the respect
that the Gold Course does."
After playing both, one thing is for sure--the Green course
is certainly no ugly stepsister. In fact, the Green Course is a lot closer
to Cinderella than you might expect--and that's no knock against the Gold
Course either--it's quite a beauty in its own right.
Perhaps some of the Green course's reputation--or lack thereof--stems
from the fact that it's relatively new--as classic golf courses go. Opening
in 1991, the Green Course features a Rees Jones design--and clearly, the
son was trying to follow in the steps of the famous father. He had his
work cut out for him--but he's done a more than admirable job of tracing
those prints.
The younger Jones' course is longer (7,120 yards to 6,700 yards) but
more forgiving, and from what Winters says--once folks have played both--that
many end up preferring the Green layout. Both courses offer a lot of attributes
the same--tree lined fairways, breathtaking (literally, if you're walking)
elevation changes, creative bunkering, and stunning visual vistas--but
you probably will come away from the Green feeling more confident.
Despite the numerous similarities, there are some real differences in
the two. The Green Course uses roughly twice as much land in its layout
(about 250 acres to 125 acres for the Gold), which results in few parallel
fairways--and almost always gives you a sense of solitude that the Gold
Course can't.
This also can lead to more trouble for shots struck wide of the mark
that manage to break through the protective mounds, as I discovered on
a few occasions. Because the Gold Course's trees are often dividing adjacent
holes, even drives that reach the boundaries of the cut grass are usually
playable. Not so with the Green--there's an added element of difficulty
here.
On the day I played the Green, I had the distinct honor of playing with,
and the company of, the course's Assistant Golf Professional, Jason Fox.
Jason is already quite ahead of his time at the age of twenty, and there
isn 't anything about his game that makes me think he won't be out there
in a couple years giving the touring pro a lesson on how to play the game
the way he showed me.
Jason was precise in his description of the layout, and his tips proved
invaluable to a first time player of the course. But don't get the impression
that you need professional assistance to get around this track--there
aren't any tricks here, and the yardage guide more than tells you what
you need to know.
On that note, the entire staff of the Green deserves a commendation.
They all went out of their way to make sure that everything is provided
for each player--from range balls, right down to directions to the first
tee. Nothing is neglected here--it's true southern hospitality combining
with the luxuries of a prestigious club. The condition of the course also
deserves special kudos.
This summer has been extremely wet in Virginia, but the fairways and
greens were in outstanding shape. It is obvious that a large amount
of attention to detail is given here--and the golfer is the recipient
of the gift.
The course itself is no postlude to the experience--it's the main attraction.
Rees starts you off with four relatively straightforward par fours, the
longest being the first at 429 yards from the tips. The fairways are generous
so as to give a wide berth to those who have first tee jitters--or haven't
warmed up quite enough yet. Second shots will test your iron skills--short,
medium, and long.
The greens are big targets and offer any number of pin positions--usually
guarded by sculpted sand or grass bunkers. A fair test for an opening
set of holes (and offers a couple good birdie chances--at least for Jason),
but the real challenge lies ahead.
After surviving a long dogleg par five in the fifth, you come face to
face with the number one handicap hole, the 450 yard sixth. It's imperative
that you tee it well on this hole, because trouble lurks on both sides
of the fairway in the form of bunkers--and trees to the extremes. Once
again, mounds may help you here, but if you find yourself on one instead
of receiving a generous kick back into the fairway, you'll have an extremely
awkward lie to try the second.
The second must fly a ravine--no gorse here--but if you're short, the
ball could very well roll quite a distance back down the hill and leave
you a blind third onto the green. Do yourself a favor and take enough
club so as to avoid the problem all together--short is not an attractive
option on this hole.
The second par five on the outward nine, the eighth, is also a bruiser.
Like the first three shotter, it's a dogleg to the right. Tee shots must
carry a ravine--and you'd better get enough air under the ball to carry
it on to the plateau and first cut--or you're looking at four strokes
minimum to reach the putting surface.
| Conditions:
A
Layout: A
Service: A
Practice Fac.: A-
Clubhouse/Pro Shop: A
Pace of Play: A
Resort Hotel: A+
Value: A
Overall Rating: A |
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Any hopes at all of trying for it in two requires a pinpoint tee shot
that hugs the right side of the fairway and successfully avoids bunkers
on the right hand side waiting to swallow the ball. The green is also
well protected by bunkers in the front and to the left. Running the
ball up isn't really an option--better summons the TightLies and hit
it high.
Headlining the backside is the par three 11th, the Green's signature
hole. Tee it up high above the green (195 yards from the back)--and
choose the right club, as you'll have to carry a pond, but stay
short of the bunkers that are waiting to trap anything too strong.
The green itself is at the bottom of an impressive amphitheater--and
you feel not unlike you' re trying to hit onto the stage of the
Hollywood Bowl. Hit one dead stick and you might even be the star
of the show. Whatever the outcome, it's a hole that you won't soon
forget.
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