Hunting Hawk GC
Glen Allen, VA (outside Richmond)
2000, Bill Love
Blue 6832 73.3 137
White 6440 71.3 132
'01 Fees: $60 Wknd
Directions: 95 S to 295 towards Charlottesville. Take Nuckols Rd Exit, 7 mi to blinking light, RIGHT onto Rt 625 Ashland Rd, 1 mi to course on right.
Golf Digest #3 'Best New Affordable Public' 2002
Golf.com Review: Located alongside the Chickahominy River in Hanover County, Virginia, Hunting Hawk Golf Club is a parkland style course designed by architect W. R. "Bill" Love. This eighteen hole chmpionship course opened for play September of 2000. The course takes advantage of the natural terrain, with many mature trees lining the fairways and natural wetland areas incorporated into the design. This overall design of the course is challenging but forgiving. The fairways are generous, with wide landing areas. Strategic play is required in order to steer clear of the many bunkers, moguls and trees that lie in wait of a careless shot. There are several ponds on the course that come into play on eleven holes. The greens are large, undulating and moderate in speed. Several greens are multi-tiered to provide an additional challenge, and all are guarded by a variety of earthworks, from sand bunkers, to mounds and grass hollows. The course plays from 5,164 to 6,832-yards and features four sets of tees to challenge a variety of skill levels.
Best Bar Nearby: I lived in Richmond for 2 years, so I know my way around, but it's been a little while. You'll find a suprisingly Southern city for one so close to the Mason/Dixon line. "If it don't get done today, it'll get done tomorrow," is the prevailing attitude.
For a great Gentlemen's club, try Paper Moon (3300 Norfolk, Downtown; 6710 Midlothian Tpke, Southside; 804-674-0790, www.papermoonclub.com ). I once picked up a dancer there and took her to Vegas for the weekend. Disastrous trip, but a great story. Or Pure Pleasure (68 Labrook Cnc, Southside, 804-232-5711).
Sports bars: Glory Days (10466 Ridgefield Pkwy, West End; 6151 Harbourside Centre Lp, Southside); Champps (9202 Stony Pt Pkwy, 10 mins S of downtown); Buffalo Wild Wings (7801 W Broad, West End; 1501 E Cary, Shockoe Bottom); Mulligan's (1323 Main, downtown); & Hooter's (1211 Huguenot, Southside; 2401 W Hundred Rd, Chester; 7912 W Broad).
Shockoe Bottom is the best downtown pub & grub district, although an '04 flood wiped out many former hotspots. Hit Tonic (14 N 18th St, 804-648-4300) for serious martinis and a cutting-edge wine list. Try the house-specialty drinks: Champagne & Strawberries, or a Carmel Kiss.
Where To Grub Nearby: The guys at www.golfnow.com recommend:
Jimmy's-(804)747-3354-breakfast-dinner
Silverado-(804)270-0388-lunch-dinner
Hondos-(804)968-4323-steaks, chops, ribs
Downtown, you gotta get to Joe's Inn. Great little unassuming Italian joint, outstanding house dressing, and try the Spaghetti ala Joe, baked with mozarella on top. Avoid the meatballs. Tobacco Company in Shockoe Bottom (12th & Cary, www.thetobaccocompany.com) is a popular upscale spot set in an open 3-story former tobacco warehouse. A little fern-bar-ish and full of Yuppies, but good food in a nice setting. Way off the beaten path is a hole-in-the-wall with great Italian: Mammazu (Spruce & Pine, Oregon Hill; check out the Southern folk-rockers Cowboy Junkies' tune "Oregon Hill"), order veal marsala and the rockfish, family-style. Strawberry Street Cafe has a great Sunday brunch, a salad bar in a bathtub, and the best Snicker's pie on the planet. VA-based regional seafood chain Awful Arthur's (101 N 18th; 7408 W Broad) brings former locals back. Try Double T's for Best Of Richmond BBQ (2907 W Cary, across from Byrd Theatre). Post last-call, hit 3rd Street Diner (218 E Main) for a taste of Richmond's freak set.
Where To Stay: GolfNow.com likes Hampton Inn-Richmond West 10800 W. Broad Street, Glen Allen,VA (8054)747-7777.
If you're liquid, the historic Jefferson Hotel downtown has been a bastion of Southern hospitality for generations, with a staircase rumored to have inspired the one in the film "Gone With The Wind".
Further Distractions: Carytown is the local artists' hang, with unique shopping. Hit Carytown's Byrd Theater for $1 2nd-run movies with the 1930's interior and pipe organ still intact, and the popcorn girls wear flapper costumes. Atlanta Braves' AAA farm club is a family-friendly outing (check the home schedule at www.rbraves.com). Tour a typical Southern estate at Berkeley Plantation (Rt 5, 22 mi E of Richmond, 888-466-6018). Hollywood Cemetery has plenty of history. The Civil War Visitors Center (5th & Tredegar) starting at Tredegar Iron Works is a nice walk. Or check out nearby King's Dominion (www.kingsdominion.com ).