Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 1, 1993 TAG: 9308030314
SECTION: DISCOVER PAGE: D-98 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Mariners Landing, a product of noted golf architect Robert Trent Jones, has been quickly discovered by area players since opening June 1.
"We're really getting a lot of play," said Stan Jones, head professional at Mariners Landing. "To this point, we're really satisfied with the numbers. Everybody seems to be really excited about the layout. Thus far, we've heard nothing but good things."
Mariners Landing, located on Virginia 626 in Bedford County, a mile from the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, is currently only nine holes. The back nine is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the end of next summer.
Jones designed the course five years ago, but the original investors in what was then called Deerwood Pointe were bunkered by financial woes in 1990. Alta-Drew Investments of Martinsville purchased the 145 acres allocated for the course from J.W. Development, the Lynchburg company that acquired the entire 840-acre development through auction last year.
Jones had built the tees and greens and put the traps in on the front nine before Alta-Drew took over. Still, there was plenty of work to be done, said Greg Haley, general manager.
"Besides the greens, about everything else was broom sage," Haley said. "It took a ton of work to get it all in shape. Before it's over, it's going to be an exceptional course. I think eventually it will be one of the top courses in the state."
Jones, who according to Golf Digest has designed 18 of the nation's top 100 courses, didn't fail here. The front-nine layout is spectacular, offering a strong test for low-handicappers and yet forgiving enough to make it a fun trip for high-handicappers.
Five sets of tee markers give the player plenty of options. The black markers measure a lengthy 3,666 yards; the red tees go 2,827 yards.
Three man-made lakes dot the front side. The signature hole is the 219-yard par-3 7th, which is guarded by a huge lake in front of the green.
Mariners Landing is a semiprivate facility, making it only the second course on the lake to be available to the public.
The course, 30-35 minutes by car from Roanoke, is currently offering some of the lowest rates in the area. Green and cart fees on weekdays are a combined $20, $23 on weekends.
Following are some of the golf courses in the Roanoke area:
\ Open to the public\ BLUE HILLS: Semiprivate. Membership through stock purchase. Associate memberships: $25. Greens fees: associate members $13.50 (18), $8 (9); public $15.50 (18), $9 (9). Cart fees: $19 (18), $11 (9). Starting times: Call at 8 a.m. Thursday for Friday times. Stockholders may call Wednesday for weekend times, others after 8 a.m. Friday. Par: 71 (men), 74 (women). Yardage: 6,547 (blue), 6,095 (white), 5,755 (red). Pros Johnny King and Jeff Sprinkel give lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays at $25 per half-hour. Phone: 344-7848.
\ BOTETOURT COUNTRY CLUB: Semiprivate. Memberships available. Family membership is $750 initiation, $750 dues. Individual membership is $750 initiation, $575 dues. Senior membership open for players 55 and over during the week. Cost is $375 initiation, $450 dues. Greens fees: $15 weekdays, $19 weekends and holiday. Cart fee: $8 per person. Members may call for starting times after 8 a.m. Monday. Nonmembers may call for weekend starting times after Thursday at noon. Head pro Chris Rouse and assistant Tom Purnell give lessons at $25 per half-hour. Par: 71 (men), 71 (women). Yardage: 6,119 (blue), 5,796 (white), 4,940 (red). Phone: 992-1451.
\ BROOKSIDE: Semiprivate. Memberships: $75 (Under 16, June-August, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). $200 (adult), $300 (husband and wife), $400 (family), 10 percent discount for seniors over 62. Greens fees: $4.75 for first nine, $3.20 for each additional nine. Special summer rates before 4 p.m. are $3.95 (9), $7.50 (18) or $8.95 (all day). Club rental: $1 for bag of four clubs. Course open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., year around, depending on weather. Nine-hole course. Par: 27. Yardage: 840. Phone: 366-6059.
\ CHESTNUT CREEK: Semiprivate. Memberships open to property owners and nonresidents. Information available by calling club office (703-721-3845). Greens fees: $18 (18, weekdays), $20 (18, weekends), $10 (9, weekdays), $12 (9, weekends). Cart fees: $10 (18), $7 (9). Starting times: Members may call one week in advance; nonmembers may call one day in advance. Course located off Virginia 122 in Franklin County. Head pro Steve Firebaugh gives lessons for $20 per half hour. Phone: 1-703-721-4214.
\ COUNTRYSIDE: Semiprivate. Memberships available by calling pro shop (563-0391). Greens fees: $20 (18, weekdays), $20 (18, weekends), $15 (9, weekdays), $15 (9, weekends and holidays after 3 p.m.). Cart fees: $10 per half-cart (18), $7.50 per half-cart (9); Special rate of $10 greens fee and cart for nine holes before 8 a.m. Special rates on weekends after 4 p.m.: $22 for 18 and cart. Pull carts: $3.50 (18), $2.50 (9). Starting times: One day in advance during week; members may call Wednesday at 9 a.m. for weekends, and nonmembers 9 a.m. Thursday. Range balls: $7.50 per bucket, $5.50 per large basket, $3.50 per small basket. Range closes Sunday at 4 p.m. Par: 71 (men), 72 (women). Yardage: 6,861 (blue), 6,028 (white), 5,293 (red). Head pro Monty Goff and assistants Kirk Fedor and Marshall Langhammer give lessons at $25 per half-hour. Series of lessons available. Phone: 563-0391.
\ HANGING ROCK: Public. Associate memberships available for $30, which reduces greens fees by $4 per round. No full-time memberships available. Players may walk anytime during week and after 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Greens fees $17 (18, weekdays), $20 (18, weekends), $10 (9, weekdays), $12 (9, weekends). Cart fees $10 per person for 18 and $7 per person for 9. Practice range will be elevated greens at 100, 150 and 180 yards. Range balls $3 for small bucket (25 balls), $5 for medium bucket (50 balls), $7 for large bucket (100 balls). Teaching pro Chip Sullivan and assistant pro Dave Kuykendall give lessons for $25 per half-hour. Starting times taken three days in advance. Par: 73 (men), 73 (women). Yardage: 6,828 (black), 6,216 (blue), 5,669 (white), 4,691 (gold and red). Phone: 389-7275 (389-PAR5).
\ HOLLYFIELDS GOLF CLUB: Semiprivate. Membership open. Initiation fee $250. Single $300 annual dues, husband and wife ($450). Greens fees: $12 (18), $6 (9). Carts: $4 per person per cart for nine holes, $8 per person per cart for 18 holes. Must pay for full cart on weekend only. Nine-hole course. Land has been surveyed for an additional nine. Tee times required for weekends and holidays. Members may call Monday and Tuesday; public may call Wednesday. Par: 36 (men), 37 (women). Yardage: 3,385 (blues), 3,087 (white), 2,887 (red). Phone: 929-4583; 344-0961.
\ LONDON DOWNS: Semiprivate. Memberships available, but there is a waiting list. Full membership is $750 per year. Five-day membership (Monday thru Friday) is $500 per year. No iniation fees. Greens fees: $8.50 (9, weekdays); $12 (9, weekends); $13 (18, weekdays); $18 (18, weekends). Cart fees: $10 per person for 18; $6.50 per person for 9. Driving range and putting green available. Lessons arranged by appointment. Pros Jerry Conner and Berenice Fedder give lessons at $20 per half-hour, with series of three lessons for $54. Assistant Tracy Newman gives lessons at $17 per half-hour, with series of three lessons for $45. Par: 72. Yardage: 6,913 (blue), 6,347 (white), 5,624 (gold), 4,953 (red). Located on Virginia 811, one-half mile off U.S. 460, 12 miles west of Lynchburg. Phone: 1-804-525-4653.
\ MARINERS LANDING: Semiprivate. Memberships available. Membership information available by calling club office at 703-297-7888. Nine-hole course, with new nine expected to be completed by September 1994. Designed by Robert Trent Jones. Greens fees, including cart, are $20 weekdays, $23 weekends. Nine-hole fees, including cart, are $11.50 weekdays and $15 weekends. Par: 36 (men and women). Yardage: 3,666 (black); 3,385 (blue); 3,176 (white); 2,908 (gold); 2,827 (red). Pro Stan Jones gives 45-minute lesson for $15. Located on Virginia 626, 1 mile from Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston. Phone: 1-703-297-7888.
\ OLE MONTEREY: Semiprivate. Membership closed. Greens fee and cart $25 per player, $22 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Ten-hole greens fee and cart for two: $15 per player. Walkers: $15 for 18 holes, $9 for nine holes. Walkers allowed all day Monday through Friday, after 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Carts required on weekends and holidays until after 2 p.m. Call after Monday for weekend and holiday tee times. Par: 71 (men), 76 (women). Yardage: 6,712 (blue), 6,297 (white), approximately 6,000 (red). No lessons available. Phone: 563-0400.
\ SALEM MUNICIPAL: Public. Greens fees: $4 (weekdays), $3 (senior citizens, over 60, weekdays), $5 (weekends). No motorized carts. Pull carts available for $1. No starting times. Nine-hole course. Sand greens. Par: 34. Yardage: Approximately 2,500. Proprietor Chuck Johnston conducts clinics through Salem Department of Parks and Recreation. Phone: 387-9802.
Private clubs
\ BEDFORD COUNTRY CLUB: Membership information available through club office. Guest fees: $15 (18, weekdays), $20 (18, weekends), $9 (9, weekdays), $12 (9, weekends). Cart fees: $7 (18), $4 (9). Call during week for weekend starting times. Nine-hole course. Par: 70 (men), 72 (women). Yardage: 6,290 (men), 5,332 (women). Bill Fumai gives lessons at $15 for 45 minutes or $60 for five lessons. Phone: (703) 586-8407.
\ HIDDEN VALLEY: Membership information available through club office (389-8146). Guest fees: $25 (weekdays), $30 (weekends). Cart fees: $11 per person (18), $5.50 per person (9). Tee times required every day. During week, call after noon for following day. Sign-up sheet for weekends and holidays are posted one week prior to those dates. Par: 71 (men), 72 (women). Yardage: 6,762 (blue), 6,179 (white), 5,335 (red). Head pro Tim Holbrook give lessons at $25 per half-hour. Pro shop phone: 389-8990.
\ HUNTING HILLS: Membership information available through club office (774-4427). Guest fees: $20 (weekdays), $25 (weekends). Cart fees: $22 (18), $12 (9). Single-rider fees: $13 (18), $9 (9). Starting times not required. Par: 70 (men), 72 (women). Yardage: 6,105 (blue), 5,877 (white), 5,152 (red). Head pro Glen Roberson and assistant Jay Reid gives lessons to members for $25 per half-hour or package of five for $110. Nonmember rates are $30. Pro shop phone: 774-4429.
\ ROANOKE COUNTRY CLUB: Membership information available through club office (345-1508). Guest fees: $25 (weekdays), $35 (weekends and holidays). Cart fees: $10 (18), $5 (9). Members may call for starting times as early as seven days in advance. Par for men: 35 (Dogwood), 36 (Redbud), 35 (Crabapple). Par for women: 36 (all nines). Yardage from blue tees: 3,162 (Dogwood); 3,310 (Redbud); 2,964 (Crabapple). Yardage from white tees: 2,960 (Dogwood); 3,086 (Redbud), 2,782 (Crabapple). Yardage from red tees: 2,795 (Dogwood); 2,775 (Redbud); 2,570 (Crabapple). Pro Phil Owenby and assistants Mark Fry and Thad Fields give lessons for $25 ($30 nonmembers) per half-hour and series of five lessons for $100. Pro shop phone: 343-1330.
\ WATER'S EDGE: Membership closed except to property owners. Guest fees: $40 (weekdays), $50 (weekends). Cart fees: $10 per person. Call one week ahead for starting times. Course is closed Mondays. Par: 72 (men), 72 (women). Yardage: 6,906 (gold), 6,336 (blue), 6,041 (white), 5,312 (red), 4,201 (yellow). Pro John Snyder and assistant John McArthur give lessons at $25 per session for members only. Phone: (703) 576-3343.
\ WATERFRONT: Membership closed except to property owners. Guest fees with member: $30 (weekdays), $40 (weekends). Guest fees without member: $40 (weekdays), $50 (weekends). Cart fees: $10 per person. Call one week ahead for starting times. Par: 71 (men), 71 (women). Yardage: 6,684 (blue), 6,111 (white), 5,644 (yellow), 4,940 (red). Pro Ed Currin gives lessons at $22 per half-hour session, assistant pro Chris Gibson at $15 per half-hour session. Phone: (703) 721-2653.
\ WILLOW CREEK: Membership information available through club office. Some play by nonmembers allowed during the week, but must be arranged through club office. Guest fees: $12 (weekdays), $15 weekends. Cart fees: $8 (18), $4 (9). Nine-hole course. Range facilities available. No starting times required. Located off U.S. 220 in Rocky Mount. Par for 18: 70 (men), 70 (women). Yardage: 6,097 (white), 5,304 (red). Pro Wes Swope gives lessons at $20 per half-hour. Phone: (703) 483-0797.
Driving ranges
\ DRIVE-A-WAY: Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Artificial surface, with eight mats under shelter. Buckets $2.75 (35 balls), $4 (55), $5 (90). Pro Jay Mackay gives lessons for $20 per half-hour, $35 for two lessons. Also has miniature golf and batting cage. Phone: 389-0095.
\ TARGET GOLF RANGE: Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. during summer. Open daylight till dark during winter. Natural grass. Also mats with heated and sheltered tees. Practice putting green. Frequent users can inquire about frequency bonus plan. Buckets $3 (40 balls), $4 (60), $5 (100). Pro Troy Dixon gives lessons for $25, including balls, per half hour. Target Golf, which is a simulation of playing a real round of golf, is $6 for 18 holes and $3 for nine holes. Phone: 989-0808.
\ GLEN ACRES: Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Natural grass. Over 200 yards of teeing area, including mats. Buckets $3.50 (60 balls), $5 (90), $6.50 (120). Also has miniature golf. Rates for parties, too. Area pro Dicky Linkous (344-5311), Don Himes (977-0835) and Wayne Jackson (343-5533) gives lessons for $20 per half-hour, $30 per hour. Appointments must be made with each by calling in advance. Free junior clinic held every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. Owned and operated by Juanita Surface. Phone: 387-9631.
by CNB