Stonehouse Golf Club – A Bold, Scenic Challenge in Virginia’s Tidewater Region
Stonehouse Golf Club, located in Toano, Virginia, is a spectacular and revitalized 18-hole public course that blends natural terrain with masterful design. Created by legendary architect Mike Strantz—a protégé of Tom Fazio—this course has earned national acclaim for its dramatic visuals, fearless layout, and artistic approach to golf course architecture.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll understand why Stonehouse was once named the “Best New Upscale Public Course in America” by Golf Digest in 1996. Today, after a full course restoration, it’s once again one of the top public-access golf experiences in Virginia.
A Mike Strantz Masterpiece Reborn
Strantz approached the Stonehouse Golf Club design with one mission: to blend the course so seamlessly into the wild Virginia landscape that it appeared as though nature itself carved the fairways.
Set across 7013 yards of rolling, untamed hills, the layout features:
Massive elevation changes
Dramatic cliffside greens
Expansive, contoured fairways
Deep, naturalized bunkers
Each hole offers something unique—be it a blind tee shot over a ridgeline, a dramatic descent into a wooded valley, or a green perched on a rocky bluff. Golfers of all skill levels will find something to love, whether it’s the visual drama, the strategic decisions, or simply the joy of a round immersed in nature.
Course Restoration: Stonehouse 2.0
By 2018, the once-acclaimed course had deteriorated. But thanks to new ownership under Stonehouse 2.0 LLC, the property underwent a massive revival. Over several years, the greens, fairways, and tee boxes were completely rehabilitated, staying true to the original Strantz vision while restoring playability and beauty.
In 2022, GolfPass named Stonehouse one of the “Most Improved Courses in the U.S.”, praising the commitment to quality and the course’s triumphant return to form.
Today, the playing conditions rival its early glory—offering pristine bentgrass greens, tightly cut fairways, and bold design choices that demand creativity and courage.
A Wild, Immersive Setting
The course winds through virgin hardwood forests, natural clearings, and rugged Tidewater hills just minutes from Williamsburg, Virginia. Wildlife such as wild turkey and deer roam the fairways, while mountain laurel and hollies line the roughs. Combined with sweeping views of nearby valleys and the York River watershed, the setting elevates every swing.
Stonehouse is as much a visual experience as it is a game of golf—making it a must-play for course architecture enthusiasts and adventurous players alike.
Ideal for Virginia Golf Travelers
Whether you’re on a Williamsburg golf trip, touring Virginia’s top public-access courses, or chasing the best that Mike Strantz has to offer, Stonehouse Golf Club should be at the top of your list.
Booking through Virginia Golf Vacations gives you:
Access to weekday tee times
Discounted stay-and-play packages
Itinerary planning with other area favorites like Royal New Kent and The Club at Viniterra
The variety and personality of Stonehouse pairs perfectly with any multi-course golf adventure in Coastal Virginia.
Plan Your Visit to Stonehouse Golf Club
Come experience the thrilling elevations, creative routing, and stunning beauty that define Stonehouse Golf Club. From its celebrated past to its newly restored future, Stonehouse stands out as one of Virginia’s most unforgettable public golf courses.
Contact Virginia Golf Vacations today to add Stonehouse to your Williamsburg-area golf itinerary and rediscover why this course continues to turn heads nearly 30 years after its debut.