The Virginian Golf Club – Played May 2022
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 22512 Clubhouse Ridge, Bristol, Virginia
- Year: 1993
- Architect: Tom Fazio
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Championship: 7,087 yards, Par 71, 73.7 Rating/137 Slope
- Black: 7,025 yards, Par 71, 73.5 Rating/136 Slope
- Blue: 6,601 yards, Par 72, 71.6 Rating/132 Slope
- White: 6,071 yards, Par 72, 69.0 Rating/124 Slope (Men’s), 74.2 Rating/132 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold: 5,631 yards, Par 72, 67.1 Rating/118 Slope (Men’s), 72.5 Rating/128 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,073 yards, Par 72, 64.6 Rating/111 Slope (Men’s), 69.1 Rating/122 Slope (Women’s)
- Orange: 4,418 yards, Par 72, 62.0 Rating/105 Slope (Men’s), 65.5 Rating/115 Slope (Women’s)
My second and final stop on the brief trip to Virginia was aptly enough The Virginian Golf Club. This Tom Fazio course traverses the Appalachian foothills and hosted the US Senior Amateur in 2003.
The Virginian has been around since the early 90s, but over time the residential portion of the property has grown substantially. Some may view that as a negative, but there were some pretty impressive homes to look at. I chose to enjoy the course and the scenery.
Let’s get down to business and take a look at the course.
Hole 1 – 384 yards – Par 4
You get a quick introduction to the feel of The Virginian on the first tee. Mature trees and lush grass are a staple of this residential course. This hole is best played up the left side of the fairway.
I found the approach played slightly downhill, so keep that in mind for club selection.
Not all courses have the wild greens that are in vogue in some new designs today. These are more subtle, but there is still plenty of slopes.
Hole 2 – 162 yards – Par 3
You’ve got a big target from this elevated tee. I played through a group here, so I only got the photo from the tee.
Hole 3 – 534 yards – Par 5
You’ve got a long, narrow chute to play this hole through. From the tee, the hole bends left and climbs a hill on the way to the green. The tee shot itself is open before the edges close in.
With the elevated green, many approach shots will be semi-blind. The green wraps around the right bunker, so pin placement is important.
Hole 4 – 459 yards – Par 4
The course starts to ramp up here. This is a bigger drop than the photo makes it appear. Blasting it down there as far as you can is advised.
As you might expect on a long hole, the green is a big target. However, it is constructed in an interesting shape which makes you think about where to hit your approach.
Hole 5 – 360 yards – Par 4
Rough pinches this fairway, but the playable area is quite large. Drives up the left will have to contend with the water for the approach shot.
Spin control on the second shot is important with the slopes in the front of the green.
Hole 6 – 449 yards – Par 5
Don’t be fooled by the yardage here. The hole plays very uphill, effectively adding a bunch of yardage. Between the cart and tree is a great line for the tee ball.
The green is perched up to the right where the people are. If you can hold it with a long club in your hand, more power to you!
Hole 7 – 303 yards – Par 4
Seven will have you licking your chops at the chance for birdie. Keeping it on the shortgrass is important though.
If you are short of the green, the approach will be downhill to a heaving green. Long is death so a precision wedge is needed.
Hole 8 – 176 yards – Par 3
The other par three on the front is also downhill. There is a water hazard lurking short left of the green, but the overall putting surface is a large target.
Hole 9 – 418 yards – Par 4
It’s imperative to hit two good shots on this right bender. A rough-covered depression in the land on the right lurks to catch those trying to cut the corner.
The green is a big target but notice the sloping. You can have some interesting putts if you’re not close to the flag.
Hole 10 – 347 yards – Par 4
The land becomes severe for this hole. The tee is greatly elevated and the approach will play very uphill. You’re glad you have a cart right about now.
Drives drifting to the right will be blocked by the large hill you see below.
Hole 11 – 419 yards – Par 4
A power draw will play very nicely on this tee shot. If you pull it off, the rest of the hole opens up to reveal an inviting green.
Hole 12 – 343 yards – Par 4
Trees definitely make this tee feel claustrophobic. If you can keep it straight at the beginning, the hole opens up after 100-150 yards. The right side of the fairway offers the best angle into the green.
Be very careful with spinny approaches. Anything short will motor back down the fronting hill.
Hole 13 – 199 yards – Par 3
This one is a long, tough test. Hitting a long iron into a tiered green is always a challenge.
Hole 14 – 527 yards – Par 5
It’s all out in front of you here. The trees encroach as you get closer to the green making the layup and approach a bit tricky.
This view is from about 75 yards short of the green.
Hole 15 – 176 yards – Par 3
This green angles away from the tee, so a draw plays best here. That bunker is right up against the green and I imagine sees a lot of traffic.
There is a subtle ridge going through the green that isn’t seen from the tee.
Hole 16 – 399 yards – Par 4
Keep it between the bunkers and trees as the hole moves slightly right. The approach is straightforward.
Hole 17 – 417 yards – Par 4
This is another hole that turns right. The aggressive line is at the right bunker.
The green provides an ample target but the bunker is there if you are offline.
Hole 18 – 529 yards – Par 5
Rough hugs this somewhat narrow fairway. There is plenty of green grass, it’s just not all short. The hole bends left on the way to the green.
I’d imagine the bunkers get a lot of play from the players going for the green.
Take note of the ridge in the front section of the green. It’s very important to be in the right section for manageable putts.
The Virginian is a stern test. You’ve got to be sharp in all facets of your game to post a good score here. Numerous bunkers and healthy rough are integral to that challenge. The 90s didn’t always produce good golf courses. However, The Virginian bucks that trend. I’d definitely tell you to check it out if you’re in the area.