TPC Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA
1999, Pete Dye
Tips: 7432, par 72
Middle Tees: 6535, 129
Fees: $128, no weekday or offseason?
Directions: From I-64E, take I-264E (formerly Rt 44) heading to VA Beach, take Exit 3 Independece Rd (S towards Providence). Stay in right lane, exit to the right on off ramp (Baxter Rd). Take a left on to Alicia and then a right onto Baxter. Go to the end of Baxter and take a left onto Princess Anne. Course is 3 mi. on right.
Golf Magazine Review: The rap against TPC courses is they're too similar and too expensive. But this one does what all TPC tracks should do but don't: Give amateurs a taste of what it's like to play where the big boys do, without beating them with a big stick.
Best Bar Nearby: Golf Magazine recommends Mahi Mah's, a lively saloon and oceanfront dining spot in the Ramada Inn On The Beach, where the raw bar is for real. For karaoke and the beach's biggest dance floor, hit Steppin' Out (600 Nevan Rd, 425-8815). You'd expect to find good Gentlemen's clubs in this military town, so hit Foxy Ladies (1425 Lynnhaven Pkwy ), J.B.'s Gallery Of Girls (1781 VA Beach Blvd), Tailgators Sports Bar & Go-Go (1725 Potters Rd).
Where To Grub: For steak, The Black Angus (7th & Atlantic, 428-7700, dinner only) has been a repeat winner of the People's Choice and Best Of the Beach Awards for best local steakhouse. Go tapas and alfresco dining at Atlantic Bistro (910 Atlantic, 422-8774). The Icehouse Restaurant (604 Norfolk Ave, 491-0263) has been a VA Beach landmark since 1910, serving fine food and claiming to have the best ribs on the beach, advertised as 'Almost Oceanfront!', and voted Local's Favorite. The local's choice for pizza is NorthEnd Pizza (3420 Atlantic Ave, 428-2002). Get breakfast at Pocahontas Pancakes (35th & Atlantic, 428-6352). For Italian, Venice (1516 Atlantic Ave, 425-1360) since 1950, features an extensive menu, or Il Giardino Ristorante (910 Atlantic, 757-422-6464, www.ilgiardino.com ) has been named Best Italian Restaurant with fine Italian, seafood, and steak dishes, as well as an open air café, valet parking, and piano bar. Fine dining at Cobalt Grille (1624 Laskin Rd, 757-333-3334). OR, Ralph, of "Ralph's Roadmap for Wings" website, recommends the wings at Lendy's Chicken & Seafood (1581 Gen. Booth Blvd).
The Beaches: The Resort Strip (from 1st to 38th) is the hotspot just off the boardwalk. North End Beach (north of 38th) is where the locals hang, with wider sands and more upscale oceanfront homes, but no public restrooms or public parking lots (on street parking only). Croatan Beach (south of 1st, actual directions are a local's secret) allows surfing all day. The Narrows (at the end of 64th St on Broad Bay) requires a nominal state park fee with a beautiful beach and a boat ramp. Chick's Beach (Shore Dr to First Landing State Park) features two more natural, uncrowded beaches, and views of the bridge-tunnel. Sandbridge (Gen Booth Blvd to Princess Anne Pkwy to Sandbridge Rd to Sandfiddler Rd, look for the water tower) has an "Outer Banks" feel among a private community with lifegaurds, playground, restrooms, and snack bar.
Shopping: Get all your beach gear at 7 area locations of Sunsations (www.sunsationsusa.com), all on Atlantic Ave. Upscale beachwear at Meg's, 307 Laskin Rd). Lynnhaven Mall features all your big name chain staples (I-264 to exit 19A, www.lynnhavenmall.com). Hit the crazy modernist furniture boutique Cool And Eclectic (984 Laskin Rd, www.coolandeclectic.com), they'll ship anywhere in the world. Then get your grrlie's sin on at adult boutique Nancy's Nook (1301 Ocean Blvd, 757-428-1498, open 24 hrs).
Further Distractions: VA Beach Amusement Park (15th & Atlantic, www.vabeachamusementpark.com). Check out the beautiful harborside baseball park in downtown Norfolk for the Norfolk Tides (www.norfolktides.com). The VA Beach Mariners play pro soccer at the VA Beach Sportsplex (www.marinerssoccer.com). Ghost walks (Wed-Sun Mem-Labor from Courtyard By Marriott 25th & Atlantic 8PM, 498-2127, www.histories&haunts.com). Old Cape Henry Lighthouse circa 1791. Nauticus National Maritime Center (www.nauticus.org). Busch Gardens and Water Country USA (www.buschgardens.com) are less than 30 minutes away, as is Colonial Williamsburg (800-HISTORY).
How To Get Around: VA Beach's "VB Wave" bus hits stops all along Atlantic Avenue (www.vbwave.com).
When To Go: Obviously summer is high season. To avoid the summer crowds, hit the Oktober Brewfest (mid-October), or Blues At The Beach (mid-Sept). For the current year's full event schedule, check out www.beacheventsfun.com.