Public Golf Courses Near Me in Wake

History:

Located between Williamsburg and Richmond, Virginia, Royal New Kent is set upon the low hills between Diascund Creek and the Chickahominy River. In 1997, Royal New Kent opened to outstanding reviews and was named "Best New Upscale Public Course in the Nation" by GolfDigest and No. 23 on Golf Magazines's Top 100 you can play. In 1999, Royal New Kent was named one of "America's Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses" by Golf Digest. In 2001, Golf Digest ranked Royal New Kent among the top three courses in Virginia, and in 2002 Royal New Kent was awarded 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest. Equal to the standards set by the course, Royal New Kent has first-rate conveniences such as a full-service bar, dining and meeting rooms, practice facilities, and a pro shop.

The Course:

Flowing across 7,372 yards of a windswept, rugged landscape, Royal New Kent has been called "the truest representation of an Irish links in America." Royal New Kent is reminiscent of the Irish Landscape where links courses such as Royal County Down and Ballybunion were built. Greens hide behind sharp, grassy knolls, hand stacked rock walls and tall fescue grasses. The generous, countoured fairways occasionally demand blind shots. The par 72 design features over 120 bunkers, many are deep shadow bunkers lined with fescue grass. The enormous, fast greens have bold swales and ridges. Each hole offers several playing options.

Mattaponi Springs Golf Club is a world class golf design sculpted from 330 acres of wildly undulating countryside in historic Caroline County Virginia . After five years of meticulous planning and detailed development, Mattaponi has quickly become recognized as the premier golf destination in central Virginia . Mattaponi is conveniently located just a few miles from I-95 along the Richmond to Washington corridor.

"Mattaponi (pronounced matta-pone-aye) Springs" describes the many natural freshwater springs throughout the property that feed into theMattaponiRiver and provide clean, naturally-filtered water for the Mattaponi Indians who traditionally lived and hunted in this area. The springs, streams and creeks on the property support an abundant wildlife population that provides the perfect backdrop of tranquility in a serene golf setting.

Mattaponi offers all of the amenities found at exclusive private membership facilities in a relaxed atmosphere with a focus on total guest service. The championship golf course, combined with a five acre practice facility, up-scale casual grill and 200 seat conference center all blend into a perfect setting for any golfer's needs. The absence of home sites and traffic provides a refreshing escape.

The par 72 course maintains a flair for the dramatic.  The first East Coast design by Bob Lohmann (designer of the Merit Club host site of the 2000 U.S. Women's Open), the perched tee boxes and plunging fairways challenge golfers on multiple holes.  Steep banks and rolling hills abound.  While such elements appear intimidating, lush zoysia fairways, bermuda rough, and true and quick bentgrass greens combined with a multiple array of teeing areas allow golfers of all levels to enjoyMattaponi .

At Mattaponi Springs Golf Club, the beauty lies in its simplicity.  There are no homes, no roads to cross and no gimmicks.  You will not find imitations of other golf courses, but 18 original and distinctive holes that complement the unique terrain.  Designed for the pure golf enthusiast, Mattaponi Springs blends nature and a masterful design to provide all golfers the total golf experience.

The word is spreading aboutMattaponi 's devotion to pure golf.  With 10 minute tee time intervals, golfers are never rushed or crowded. The practice facility and instructional programs deliver an exclusive member experience. The staff at Mattaponi Springs Golf Club is dedicated to delivering unsurpassed service to our members and "members for a day" alike.

The 4,000 square foot Lodge andConferenceCenter , and 5,000 square foot Clubhouse provide the perfect venue for any corporate or private function. Combine your next corporate meeting with the thrill of a golf outing at Mattaponi Springs.

Mattaponi Springs Golf Club golf as it was meant to be played in a beautiful and serene environment.  Escape toMattaponi for the pure golf experience.

Spring Creek Golf Club is a nationally recognized golf course located only minutes from Charlottesville, Virginia and a short drive from Richmond, Virginia.

Bent grass fairways, beautiful greens and the natural contour of the land help make Spring Creek a unique, exceptional golfing experience.

The unmistakable elements of a Pete Dye design and Virginia Tech's commitment to excellence and tradition are immediately apparent from the moment you arrive at "The River". The extraordinary new clubhouse completed in May of 2010 rests on a rock cliff seventy feet above the historic and pristine New River. Spectacular views of the golf course and the river will confirm that you have arrived at a very special destination. A friendly welcome (perhaps even a Hokie Hi!) by our staff awaits you whether you are here for golf, to dine in the restaurant, or attend a special event.

Dye's signature bunkers, small elevated greens and collection points are evident throughout your round.  Abundant wildlife and native birds including a pair of soaring bald eagles are frequently spotted and add to the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain setting.

The clubhouse has become a premier event destination in the region whether it's for a structured golf outing, casual dining, conference or special event. Tastefully appointed banquet and meeting areas offer an inviting venue for those who seek a special location. State of the art audio and video systems and wireless internet serve these areas. 'The Lawn' located adjacent to the clubhouse offers a beautiful setting for a wedding ceremony or other outdoor event as it looks out over the river, mountains and back nine of the golf course.

The clubhouse design features Hokie Stone and timber frame construction with vaulted and beamed ceilings. An elevated 4,000 square foot patio invites visitors from every area in the building to relax and enjoy the scenery and includes glass railings to provide an unobstructed view.

Frontiersmen used to call a passage through the mountains a “break.” Such breaks were a rare thing indeed, offering the early settlers an opportunity to take their frontier lives to a new level. Layer upon layer of history welcomes today’s visitor, as does the still resplendent beauty of this unique 4600-acre park. Established in 1954 by an act of Congress initiated by the efforts of the two states it crosses, Virginia and Kentucky, it is now one of only two such interstate parks in the USA.

Visitors come to us year-round to enjoy the many recreational delights, whether they are bent on an active, sporting experience, or one more contemplative, such as our seven gorgeous overlooks. Wildlife abounds, as does the warm welcome, in cozy accommodations that feel just right in their setting.

Activities & Recreation:

Hiking Trails

More than 25 miles of hiking trails lace the park, varying from easy to difficult. Most are less than one mile long, but interconnected trails offer the more ambitious hiker a good choice of routes over varying terrain. Maps with descriptions of each trail are available at the Visitor Center. Trail names give clues to the outstanding physical features of each: Cold Spring, Geological, Grassy Creek, Grassy Overlook, Lake, Loop, Overlook, Prospectors’ Ridge, River, Towers, and Tower Tunnel. Both the Ridge and Geological trails are self-guided, with booklets available at the Visitor Center that detail points and notes of interest. But if you would prefer, guided hikes are scheduled throughout the summer. Additionally, if you call ahead, our Visitor Center staff will be happy to plan a guided hike to meet your family’s or group’s schedule.

Elevations measured many years ago show heights varying from 870 feet at the Russell Fork River in the canyon bottom to 1,978 feet at Clinchfield Overlook (where the Overlook Trail begins.) The advent of modern GPS units shows the elevations to be higher. Surfaces are hard-packed dirt and rock, and are well maintained with steps and handrails where needed. All are marked with colored blazes, with no intersecting trails having the same color. Cautions: Pets must be leashed and we ask that visitors stay away from exposed overlooks during thunderstorms. Bicycles are permitted only on the Mountain Bike Trail.

The extraordinary range and variety of trails offered the hiker in our park is significant. Below we offer detail on each to help you choose your path. And enjoy every step!

Biking (Mountain Bike Trail) & Rentals

The Mountain Bike Trail offers breathtaking scenery. The trail is a stack loop trail system offering up to nearly 12 miles of riding, from moderate to difficult. Depending on the route chosen, bikers may plan rides of varying length, with the possibilities of good climbs and long downhill runs. Positive reviews for this trail are posted regularly on the websites for hiking enthusiasts.

If you’d like to try out our Mountain Bike Trail or simply want to ride around the park but don’t have a bike, no worries! You can rent either a regular mountain bike or an e-bike for a half day (5 hours) or for a full day (10 hours).

Horseback Riding & Carriage Rides

Birding

On the wing, in the soft and sometimes tempestuous air. Nested in the sheltering canopy of the Appalachians. What do you see and what might you hear? With a two-note shriek, or more muted and varied cry, our feathered friends also reign here.

As a part of the Virginia Birding and wildlife trail, Breaks Interstate Park is home to a wide variety of birds. Some of those include the Swainson’s Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Turkey Vulture, Red Tail Hawk and Osprey.

In 2007, Peregrine Falcons were released into the park as the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries reintroduced the species into Southwest Virginia and Southeast Kentucky. These birds had been wiped out in the Eastern United States due to the use of pesticides and chemicals such as DDT in the 1940’s and 50’s. Until the reintroduction effort, the last documented sighting in the state of Virginia was at The Towers in Breaks Park. In April 2011, a pair of Peregrine Falcons were again spotted at Towers Overlook offering hope that members of the species has returned to its historical nesting spot.

Each winter the park participates in the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. The information collected is reported to the Audubon Society, where it is used to determine increases or declines in area species. We welcome public participation in this event. Should you wish to join us, more information is available by contacting the park Visitor Center.

A checklist detailing the different species found here, as well as our ongoing Recent Sighting List are available at the Visitor Center.

Pedal Boats/Canoes

Pedal boats, hydro bikes, and canoes are available seasonally for rental by the hour or half hour on beautiful Laurel Lake. Visitors may use these boats as a means to explore, or for fishing.

Fishing

Laurel Lake, Beaver Pond, and the Russell Fork River offer a variety of fishing experiences, and the promise of a good catch. Laurel Lake, a twelve-acre man-made lake, and our two-acre Beaver Pond are stocked with bluegill and bass. The Russell Fork River is stocked with Rainbow Trout by Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries officials.

Laurel Lake is located adjacent to Splash! in the Park. The Lake Trail circles Laurel Lake, ensuring many access points for fishermen.

Beaver Pond is located near the cottages. It may be accessed by the Deer Trail, which goes around the perimeter of Beaver Pond.

The Russell Fork River may be accessed at several points, including Garden Hole and Ratliff Hole, both of which are within park boundaries, but located outside the entrance to the park’s facilities.

Fishing licenses are required. Temporary licenses are available at the park Visitor Center.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Visitor Center.