In the days of challenging economic times, golfers
might think twice about traveling places to play golf when there are some true
gems right in their own backyard. One of those we believe is the course at
Laurel Hill located in Lorton, Virginia.
Situated just 30 minutes from downtown D.C, Laurel
Hill, while for some average golfers might be a bit challenging, certainly to
most it has to be one of the best gems located in the Northern Virginia area.
Once you step in the clubhouse you will see what makes it a step above the
others in the area. From the staff to the food, this is one public course that
is managed by the players for the players.
For
those who decide they need a little bit of practice before their round, this
course offers some of the best practice facilities in the county and is a match
for some of the top courses in the area. We thought the practice areas were
equally as good as the ones at Congressional if not better. The double tiered
green with two bunkers and nice chipping area allow for multiple players not to
interfere with the idea practice round. I would suggest an afternoon here a
couple times a week for those who want to consistently break a score of 100,
because even the mid level golfers are going to find it difficult to do on this
course.
So
on to the course, be prepared to bring you’re A+ game if you have one, because
as we both found out, the red tees are even challenging for women.
Number 3 is an over 400 yard uphill
par 4; number 17, depending on tee placement is also a par 4 which plays more
like 5 due to some dead space just in front of the green. The back nine offers
some chances for birdies and the par 3s should make you feel good about your
game.
One thing we really liked about the
course is the aesthetics of the old Lorton prison grounds that they kept as
parts of where this course came from. From the old silos, to the watch tower on
the back 9 it makes for a great play. Oh yea, be on the lookout for wildlife.
Fox, deer and turkeys are a common sighting in this area.
Lastly,
when you are done with your round and looking for a nice way to relax, check
out their clubhouse, which is about as country club as you can possibly get.
All the amenities inside include a fully stocked pro shop and when we say fully
stocked, they have it all from Nike to Adidas Golf, the newest and latest is
all inside under one roof. Forgot a club or just want to replace those ones
your dad passed on, well their club selection is pretty impressive as well.
Before
you leave, consider a quick lunch or dinner to wrap up the evening, their grill
and dining area offers some great food to tell your golfing friends about or
even a casual dining area where you can enjoy a beer or a glass of wine after
your round to unwind.
The
staff at Laurel Hill is excellent and both General Manager Kirk Mason and Head
Golf Pro Gene Oricco are professionals that want you to have the best golf
experience found in Northern Virginia.
The Laurel Hill Golf Club
has achieved some notables in the world of golf with a prestigious ranking at Number
15 on Golfweek's 2009 roster of the Nation's 50 best municipal courses,
announced annually in the magazine's May edition.
8701
Laurel Crest Dr
Lorton, VA 22079-5705
P: (703) 493-8849
F: (703) 690-4896
