Location » Keezletown, Va.
Phone » 540-269-8188
Fees » Weekdays $45; Weekend $50
Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
72/7024/74.2/139
Description » Set on the western slope of Masannutten Mountain, Packsaddle Ridge is a seven-year-old course that builds on the back nine. Minutes from Harrisonburg, but secluded in the wilderness, the course is full of elevation change, hardwood stands and streams that crisscross the property. Water in play on all but one hole, but is not the predominant feature. Like many mountain courses, greens have lots of hidden slope.
Reason to play » Not for purists, but awesome views, reasonable prices, and playful accoutrements make underplayed Packsaddle Ridge one of the most fun and intriguing courses in the Shenandoah Valley. Welcoming atmosphere with roomy clubhouse and rocking chairs on the porch. Named by Golf Digest as one of the top five Affordable Golf Courses in the U.S.
Rock on » A million tons of rock and 750,000 tons of topsoil were moved in the construction of Packsaddle Ridge. Boulders mark each tee. Other rocks were used to line hazards and to create sculptures scattered about the course. Players are introduced to the theme at the first tee with a Stonehenge-like formation. Course also includes several conventional sculptures (kids, elk, bear, deer).
Name? » The course’s name can be traced to the late 1800s, when valley residents came to the mountains to hunt and returned with packsaddles (on horses or mules) filled with wild game.
Most beautiful hole » No. 13, Par 4, 379 Yards
“The View” is appropriately named. From Adirondack chairs behind the green, players get a sweeping view of the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny Mountains, James Madison University and the town of Harrisonburg visible. Not a long hole, but one of the toughest at Packsaddle as it runs straight uphill to a severely sloped green.
Signature hole » No. 14 » Par 4 » 323 Yards
“The Bridge” is so named for the covered cart structure that carries players over a gorge that runs across the fairway in front of the green. The shortest par 4 on the course plays downhill over the canyon, which is filled with vegetation, rocks and water. Long hitters can reach the green from the elevated tee, or lay up with a mid-iron to an ample fairway.
Coolest hole » No. 15, Par 3, 215 Yards
At “The Packsaddle,” even if you aren’t playing from the black tees, it’s worth the ride straight uphill to the tee on the highest point on the property. From there, it’s irresistible to pull a Pinnacle from the bottom of your bag and see how the hole plays from the heavens. No. 15, over water, is much more predictable from the blue tees (160 yards).
Best hole » No. 16, Par 5, 519 Yards
The other three par 5s at Packsaddle are three-shot holes. But “Hawk’s Walk,” with a wide fairway and a downhill approach over water to an attractive green site, urges players to gamble.
Toughest hole » No. 7, Par 3, 227 Yards
“Swing High” is the highlight of the front nine. Plays from an elevated tee to an elevated green, set in a chute of trees. Green is ample, but framed in trees, this hole has an intimidating look.
Grand designs » Bruce Forbes (yes, of the famous magazine family) conceptualized Packsaddle Ridge, turning the $5 million project over to his son, Jeff. The covered bridge, on No. 14, is named for Samantha Leigh Forbes, Jeff’s first child and Bruce’s first grandchild, born in the same year (2002) the course opened. Under the direction of Jeff Forbes, Packsaddle Ridge was designed by Russell Breeden, who has more than 60 courses — mostly in the Carolinas — on his resume. Breeden is known for creating straightforward, player-friendly tracks.
