Evident from the fairway of the 10th hole, two of the distinctive features of Viniterra — a sprawling, artistically-shaped bunker, and field of grape vines (top) / Photo by Kevin Dunleavy
The Club at Viniterra
Location » New Kent, Va.
Phone » (804) 932-3888
Fees » Monday-Friday $55; Saturday-Sunday $65
Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
72/7725/77.2/147
Conditions » *****
Layout » *****
Facilities » ***
Value » *****
Description » Unique course is co-located with New Kent Winery, with vineyards running along a few of the fairways. Strategic, Rees Jones-designed Viniterra is long, wide, rolling, tree-lined and has sprawling greens. Difficulty comes in the form of intricate, artistic, bunkers, which guard fairways and greens. The course was completed in 2009, but only recently opened to the public.
Reasons to Play » Immaculate conditions, inexpensive greens fees, and a rare experience, combining wine-sipping and golf. This is a high-quality course, reminiscent of Gordonsville, Va.-classic Spring Creek. The property isn’t as diverse, but the design touches, bunkering, and green complexes measure up.
Well-Heeled » Viniterra is the centerpiece of a gated residential community of custom-built, luxury estate homes and resort cottages. Future plans include centers for tennis, fitness, aquatic and equestrian sports, and golf instruction.
Size Matters » At 7,725 yards, Viniterra is the longest track in Virginia, but don’t be intimidated. This is a player-friendly course, with plenty of room to miss and minimal penalties. Lost balls are a rarity. Making par might be tough, but there aren’t many holes where players are apt to make a big number.
Gap Discipline » There are six sets of tees, the shortest at 5,210 yards. Unfortunately, options are the fewest in the neighborhood preferred by most players. The biggest gap is between the white (6,124 yards) and blue (6,820 yards) tees. It’s hard to believe that any course’s second-longest set of tees are 7,312 yards.
Grand Designs » Rees Jones is best known for his renovation of seven U.S. Open courses, including Bethpage Black, Pinehurst No. 2, and Congressional. But he also has an impressive portfolio of original designs in Virginia including Golden Horseshoe (Williamsburg), Hell’s Point (Virginia Beach), and Stoney Creek (Wintergreen), all cutting-edge when they were opened.
Best Hole » No. 13, Par 5, 595 Yards
Play this one safe off the tee to the left, or gamble by firing right, over an environmental hazard, to cut distance and make it a two-shot hole, especially if playing from the blue (543 yards) or white (468 yards) tees. No. 13 is not as intimidating as it appears from the tee. If there’s time, take a drive down the fairway and see exactly what lies ahead
Toughest Hole » No. 4, Par 4, 472 Yards
Dog-leg right is one of the few holes at Viniterra which demands more accuracy than length off the tee to a bunkered, sloped fairway. Approach is to an oblong green with a massive bunker on the right and trouble long and left.
Cool Hole » No. 15, Par 3, 212 Yards
There’s a sameness to the par-3 holes at Viniterra. But No. 15 is the exception, set in a secluded part of the course with trees surrounding in all directions, offset from a stunning green complex, with a series of bunkers across the front.
Signature Hole » No. 10, Par 5, 570 Yards
There are back-to-back 570-yard holes at Viniterra, Nos. 9 and 10, but no monotony here. No. 9 features an interesting lay-up shot which requires careful consideration, or for bombers, the option of carrying bunkers off the tee and going for the green in two. No. 10 is all visible from the tee, a downhill drive and uphill approach. Fairway bunkers give the hole shape and definition, and there is a vineyard to the right of the landing area.
