New holes were built on northwest section
The 1757 Golf Club in Dulles, Va., comes fully online Thursday with the opening of all 18 holes. The course, originally private and named The Presidential, opened 10 holes for public play last spring while work continued on the final eight.
Last month the facility opened the SeventeenFiftySeven Restaurant, an attractive eatery serving American fare indoors or on the patio that overlooks the driving range.
The new holes at 1757, built on the northwest section of the property, have an open feel and a greater margin for error than the water and tree-lined fairways of the intimidating front nine. Water is in play on all but three holes.
1757 Golf Club
Location » Dulles, Va.
Phone » 703-444-0901
Rates » Monday-Thursday $65; Friday-Sunday $95
Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
70/6,623/71.8/142
Web » www.1757golfclub.com
Description » Upscale public course debuted last spring with 10 holes. Now the final eight have been added along with the SeventeenFiftySeven Restaurant. Set on marshland near Dulles Airport and Redskins Park, 1757 is dominated by water and wetlands but is not excessively penal. The club has lavish practice facilities, unmatched by another public course in the Washington area, as well as spacious banquet and conference areas.
Private loss is public gain » Originally conceived as an upscale private club catering to corporate interests and named The Presidential, the course changed direction in late 2008 when builders were evicted during the economic downturn after the practice area, much of the clubhouse and several holes had been built. The course’s new name is the year Loudoun County was founded.
Reason to play » Convenient location off Route 28, good variety of holes, outstanding layout, conditions and service.
Talkin’ about practice » The facility has a unique learning center niche, thanks to indoor coaching stations, several chipping and putting greens and an expansive, lighted driving range with covered stations and turf and grass tees.
Signature hole » No. 9, Par 5, 541 Yards
The back tee on No. 9 is perched on the highest part of the property, giving the hole a unique signature on this otherwise low-lying course. Big hitters will be tempted to reach the green in two, but beware: The green is shallow and approach shots tend to drift into wetlands to the right and front of the green.
Toughest hole » No. 13, Par 4, 456 Yards
Playing into the prevailing wind, there is no relief from the longest par 4 on the course, which has an uphill tee shot followed by an odd-angled approach over and along water on the right side. From the blue tees (448 yards), this hole is 40 yards longer than any other par 4.
Good hole » No. 12, Par 4, 308 Yards
Shortest par 4 at 1757 plays even shorter than on the scorecard, allowing long hitters to fire at the green from the tee box. Bunkers on either side of the green and in the middle of the fairway set the green off beautifully on this links-style hole.
Odd hole » No. 6, Par 4, 419 Yards
Holes No. 6 and 7 are secluded attractively in an enclave dominated by tall trees and a large lake. No. 6, with a tee shot playing toward a looming retaining wall, is a dogleg around the hazard with a 90-degree turn. If hit straight down the middle, there is little difference between drives of 270 and 200 yards. Both will leave a short iron approach.
Fairways and greens » The tall fescue rough is thick but manageable. Good lies are plentiful on the tight, bent grass fairways. But players will love the bent grass greens, which are flat, smooth, true and not as fast as they look. “You can make a lot of putts out here,” said 1757 teaching pro Adam Harrell, a former George Mason University standout who proved it with a 75-footer for birdie at No. 11.
Feel the heat » Jack Nicklaus design disciple Dave Heatwole built 1757. Original plans for The Presidential were for 27 holes, but when the project went under, land was lost and Heatwole had to tweak his layout. One of the new holes added, No. 18, a par 3 over water, has a wide, shallow green and beautiful bunkering.
Membership has its advantages » The course has membership options geared to its unique set of offerings, including one for practice players and another for corporate entertainment and business.
