Renovated Golf Destination?
Everyone has heard of a renovated golf course but Williamsburg is beginning to look like a renovated golf destination. Three area courses are making significant changes in 2017. The Golden Horseshoe Gold Course has been closed since May 2016. The Gold course has received significant renovation and updating. Greens, fairways and tees have all been resurfaced. Rees Jones son of course architect Robert Trent Jones is overseeing course renovations and the course is expected to re-open in time for the 2017 fall golf season.
The Bermuda Revolution
Because of the hot and humid Southeastern Virginia summers two Williamsburg area golf facilities have made the decision to transition their greens to UltraDwarf Bermuda putting surfaces. This is a fantastic playing surface typically used by clubs further south but Southeastern Virginia’s mild winters also make this a good option for Williamsburg. Most area courses have Bent grass greens which are wonderful late fall through spring but require extra attention and increased mowing heights to protect the plant during summer heat. Bermuda thrives in hot and humid conditions. Therefore, golf course superintendents can be aggressive on playing conditions from late summer through late fall. Bermuda is still a good playing surface in it’s dormant state December through March. The greens turn brown and can get a little firm but most courses counter act that with paint and/or over seeding.
Fords Colony Country Club had great success several years ago transitioning their Blue Heron course to Champion Bermuda and after another long hot and humid summer has made the decision to do the same on their Marsh Hawk Course. The Marsh Hawk course will close in June 2017 for Champion Bermuda sprigging and re-open early September 2017. Their Blackheath course will remain bent grass.
Williamsburg National Golf Club is under new ownership that has also made the decision to resurface the Jamestown course with an UltraDwarf Bermuda grass. The Jamestown greens will be sprigged in June with a re-open date in early September 2017. In addition both courses and the club are receiving a lot of much needed attention from new ownership. Playing conditions have been consistently the poorest among area courses the last 4- 5 years. It is clear that will change quickly with new ownership and management. Williamsburg Golf travelers can expect high quality playing conditions on the Yorktown Course (bent grass greens) by late spring 2017 and both courses when the Jamestown re-opens in September of 2017. Make sure you plan a fall golf vacation to Williamsburg, you won’t want to miss out on this renovated golf destination.