Blue Ridge Shadows in Front Royal, VA

[Jimmy Chandler]

Has anyone heard about this new course/development?  

http://www.blueridgeshadows.com/

Designed by Tom Clark of Ault/Clark, the superintendent comes from Shadow Creek in Las Vegas (no idea if that's a coincidence or not), according to it's website it opens for play March 15.  The development will include homes/hotel/spa, though I don't know if the homes will be bordering the course.

The Front Royal area now has a bunch of courses within a very short drive, but other than Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, I'm not sure if any are worth a trip to play.  It would be nice if Blue Ridge Shadows could be added to the list.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Jimmy, I will be in the area the end of the week.  I think I'll drop by and get in a round.  I will report back.

[Mike Hoak]

It was open for play briefly this fall before shutting down for the winter.  My father played it back in October with about 30 of his golfing buddies.  The course reached out to some of the local clubs in that area to help build word of mouth.  My dad really enjoyed it.  According to my father, the course has significant changes in elevation and the conditioning was superb for such a young course.  He said its unlike any other course in that market.  The course is clearly aimed at the upscale (i.e. NOVA, DC) market, because a $72 weekend rate is steep for that area.  The homes are also being marketed to urban retirees looking to move out of the city.  My understanding is that homes will eventually border at least a portion of the course.  The planned hotel is a Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.

As for the other options in the area, Shenandoah Valley is the only course in Front Royal worth the trip.  I'm partial to Caverns Country Club in Luray because I grew up playing golf there, but the views are better than the actual course.

[Andy Hughes]

Careful Jimmy, you are starting to have a lot of courses on your 'need-to-see' list.

Mike, no argument on Caverns CC, but I do remember several good holes--especially #3, the short 4 on the front  with a green offset to the fairway left-to-right and a fall-off left of the green.


And 10, which I would not call a good hole, but it is so hard to hit a really good tee shot. Right of the fairway has some kind of gravitational pull, and it needs to be placed just so to have a simple shot into that green:


(Threadjack is now over. Sorry)

[Jimmy Chandler]

Mike --

Thanks for the report.  I also like Caverns, having played it maybe 10-12 years ago, and I agree the views are the best part.  But I remember enjoying the course quite a bit -- that first hole is quite an opener.  

My dad really enjoys Shenvalee in New Market, which I think is a great course for the 90 strokes-and-up category golfer, but probably is not challenging enough for the single-digit handicap.

I agree the $72 fee is high for Front Royal, especially with Shenandoah Valley charging only $50 for 18 on a weekend morning and $15 more for another 18.  But it sounds like I should give it at least one try.

Andy --

My "need-to-see" list has always been longer than my available time or bank account, at least the courses we've been discussing don't require me to dream about how to get back to Bandon or over to Scotland, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand!

Since it seems that all who have the played in this area agree on Shenandoah Valley, I think I need to start a new thread with some photos when I get the time later this week.