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By
Dave Finn
Imagine
waking up and stepping outside your room
to the mist gently rising from the immaculately
manicured 10th or 18th fairway while the
sun slowly peaks over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A sight to behold indeed!
I've
been fortunate enough in my lifetime to
not only play some of the most outstanding
and recognizable golf courses in the world,
but also many of the finest new courses
in America. In 2008, Golf Digest
published their annual "America's
Best New Courses" and recently I
had the privilege of playing their #1
rated Public Course over $75 - The
Highland Course at Primland
in Virginia. I had already tested my skills
at #6 The Preserve and #2 Fallen Oak both
located in Mississippi and loved them
so my expectations were extremely high!
Primland
Resort is located in a remote area of
Southwestern Virginia where peace, beauty
and solitude abound. As we drove the meandering
2900 foot climb up Mountain Top Road to
our cottages, I could literally felt the
pressures of the daily grind receding.
There is definitely something therapeutic
about getting ‘away from it all'.
Surrounded by unspoiled wilderness with
an abundance of wildlife, it was evident
why these 14,000 acres of wooded countryside
would appeal to golfers, hikers, hunters,
fisherman and ATVers alike.
Then
the business side of me kicked in and
I asked my playing partner "Why would
anyone build a golf course on the top
of a mountain in a remote area in Virginia
that is a 2½ drive to Charlotte
NC and 1½ hours from Greensboro?
And, on top of that, hire architect Donald
Steel who is more renowned for his links-style
courses on the other side of the pond
to design it?"
My
questions were soon answered once we reached
the pinnacle. This is "mountain golf"
at its' finest. The majestic beauty, mature
landscape and natural elevation changes
offer an experience that is truly breath
taking. "It may be a hard place to
get to, but it's a tough place to leave,"
says Steel.
"We
foresee the work at Primland as the catalyst
for economic growth in the region,"
says Vice President and General Manager
Steve Helms. Primland offers "a place
far enough away from the big cities to
retain its rustic feel and yet, at the
same time, close enough to attract people
looking for the great family escape."
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starting hole sets the stage for a memorable
round. This shorter, downhill par 5,
with an amazing backdrop may tempt you
to go for the green in two. But remember
this, Steel rewards you for staying
on the fairway, and your second shot
is paramount here. Even though there
are no lakes or deep faced pot bunkers
to contend with, Steel has incorporated
large well protected greens, that are
tempting to go for, but if you are not
on the proper side, two putts will require
you take your time reading them.
The
conditioning of the course is second
to none, and the huge greens are fast
and true. On the day we played, they
were 11.5 on the stimp meter - and
that was before mowing so be forewarned!
Every
hole here would be a ‘signature
hole' at many other golf courses.
Steel has done an amazing job of allowing
the natural terrain to dictate the
layout. The course starts off par
5, par 3, par 5, par 3 and then traverses
through a forested plateau, around
cliff-sides and across cavernous valleys.
Steel attested to the fact that "This
is my first course that I had to make
easier versus harder".
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Not
only is Primland challenging and secluded,
it is also not crowded. Tee times are spaced
30 minutes apart giving you plenty of time
to absorb the magnificent scenery, or find
your wayward golf balls, whichever the case
may be. Don't forget your camera!
To
our delight, our host Sandy Gardiner arranged
for us to have dinner with the infamous
Mr. Steel to learn more about his vision.
"There is a remoteness about Primland,
a sense of escape that is special. Golf
courses have been built in every landscape
imaginable but only rarely on mountain peaks,"
said Steele who admitted this is his first
mountain design. "Primland sits on
top of the world, enjoying scenic views
that stretch the vocabulary," and I
couldn't agree more!
The
accommodations at Primland are equally outstanding.
I stayed in the ‘Woodpecker' one of
three uniquely designed guest cottages that
overlooked the 10th fairway. Reminiscent
of the architectural style of historic structures
in the Virginia Mountains, this well appointed
one-bedroom unit was spacious, and featured
a full kitchen, stone fireplace, wide screen
satellite TV, high speed internet, enormous
bathrooms and a view that truly was "to
die for".
There
are also 12 outlying cabins and in August
2009, the 72,000 square foot rustic-lodge
will open. Crafted with Tennessee edge stone
and cedar shake siding and finished with
reclaimed oak floors from old tobacco barns,
this lodge will house 26 superb suites on
the 2nd & 3rd floors, and will blend
beautifully with the surrounding countryside.
There are 9 different floor plans between
the suites, plus all the amenities including
an indoor pool, fitness centre, spa with
seven European treatment rooms, a 15 seat
theatre, ballroom, a restaurant that seats
80 and "unparalleled outdoor adventures
such as hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback
riding" says Steve Helms.
Mr.
Steel claims that "it is difficult
to compare a links-style design to a parkland,
or mountain course versus an ocean course.
The architect still has to design a layout
that is indigenous to the terrain."
From my experience, I could not agree more.
I like all styles of courses that fit into
their natural environment, but I must confess
that the peace and tranquility of being
secluded in the mountains is like no other.
It takes true visionaries like owners, the
Primat Family from Geneva Switzerland and
Donald Steel to create such a marvel. As
Head Professional, Jeff Fraim likes to say
every time he hits the course, this is the
"greatest day ever." I'll go along
with that!
For
more information on Primland go to their
website www.primland.com
or for reservations contact them at 1-866-960-7746.
05/09
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