Royal New Kent GC
Providence Forge, VA (just outside Williamsburg)
Golf Digest, 2007
T&L Golf
1996, Mike Strantz (Tobacco Road)
White Tees: 6179, 70.8, 135
Fees: $105 Wkdy. or Wknd. Peak. Recenty (8/01) reduced greens fees including $39 twilight after 13:00.
#16 Toughest Course in America, Golf Digest 2007: "Mike Strantz's rugged homage to Ireland's Ballybunion baits unsuspecting golfers with fishhook-shape holes, lots of sharp corners, crazy mounds and deep pot bunkers. You'll be in need of a Guinness after this one."
T&L Golf Review: The owners of the Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent (804-966-7023), outside Williamsburg, have softened some of the edges off Mike Strantz's original design. But the late architect's bold ideas are still much in evidence, beginning with the opening tee shot, which must be played around or over a set of dunes that bring to mind Royal County Down.
Golfcourse.com Review: This course is modeled after the Irish links-style courses. Target rocks provide direction to blind fairways, pot bunkers are deep and penal, and the giant greens are very slick. Hole #2, a 537-yard, par 5, features a nearly ninety-degree dogleg right fairway. The second shot offers the opportunity to hit over the waste area to the green or play it safely to the left. "GOLF Magazine" chose this course 23rd under the 1998 category of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S." "GOLFWEEK" selected it 35th on its list of "America's 100 Best Modern Courses" for 1998 and 28th in 1999.
Where To Booze & Grub: The Whaling Company, 494 McLaws Circle, visible from Rt 60, serving somewhat upscale, quality seafood, recommended by Jeff. OR, if you're not starving and don't mind a short drive, you GOTTA try Pierce's Pitt BBQ, (Rt 143, 447 E. Rochambeau Dr) in nearby Lightfoot. Outstanding pulled pork smoked BBQ sandwiches, served with coleslaw on the sandwich. Got our food twice as fast as any McDonald's, even though the lunch crowd was starting to pour in, they move some people through here. About $6 for more great food than you could eat, and great service. Take a bottle of the sauce home for grillin'. Locals and friends of mine rave about the ribs & BBQ at Double D (Rt 60 about 1 mi. N of intersection with 199). T&L Golf magazine recommends: Berret's Seafood (119 S. Boundary St.) w/ fresh regional seafood, steaks, and chicken, with casual raw bar outside, $$$. OR, Old Chickahominy House (1211 Jamestown Rd), Southern breakfasts & lunches, $. And oh yeah, don't forget to visit Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Colonial Williamsburg Taverns (Shield's, King's Arms, Josiah Chowning's & Christiana Campbell's) offer servers in costume and Colonial-inspired cuisine, but tend to be pricey and crowded, $$$. OR, Washington Golf Monthly recommends Trellis, which is home to exquisite food. Kingsmill has Eagles Clubhouse. The Williamsburg Inn offers the coat-and-tie Regency Room, which boasts an incredible wine list to go with its meat and fish entrees. OR, for those willing to travel a bit from the hub of Williamsburg, there is the Fox Hunter Grille, located near the Chickahominy River, or the Kitchen at Powhatan Plantation. Be warned: the Kitchen only seats about two dozen, but what a meal.