WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Jan. 29, 2013) – As it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013, the Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club of Colonial Williamsburg continues to rank among the nation’s best places to play. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design was again named to Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” for 2013-14.
Ranked No. 54, the Gold Course has been earning a variety of honors for decades. Showing its versatility through the years, the par 71 has been listed among “America’s 200 Toughest Courses,” as well as with “America’s 50 Most Fun Public Courses.”
“It’s an honor to be included in such prestigious company on the new rankings,” said Glen Byrnes, Director of Golf at the Golden Horseshoe. “There are so many great golf courses that have come along since 1963, but we are blessed with a championship challenge in a beautiful setting that every golfer can enjoy playing. The Gold Course certainly has withstood the test of time, which we are celebrating this year.”
Opened in 1963 and called by Jones his “finest design,” the Gold Course is one of the best examples of traditional golf course architecture in the world. It is the premier course at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, which offers 45 holes of championship golf. The Gold Course, the Green Course and the nine-hole Spotswood Course are designated as Audubon sanctuaries, situated just south of the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area.
Renovated in 1998 by Jones’ son, golf architect Rees Jones, the Gold Course remains faithful to the original design. The project expanded the appeal of the course for higher-handicap players while simultaneously lengthening the course from the back tees to a maximum of 6,817 yards (144 slope).
The professional course record of 67, posted by Jack Nicklaus in an exhibition match in September of 1967, still stands today. Marvin “Vinny” Giles set the amateur course record, 68, prior to the 1998 renovation. The Gold Course has hosted numerous prestigious events, including:
• NCAA Division I Men’s Championship (2007)
• Virginia State Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship (2002)
• USGA Men’s State Team Championship (1999)
• USGA Women’s State Team Championship (1999)
• USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship (1998)
In addition to golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, guests have a choice of more than 1,000 guest rooms among five distinctive hotel properties, from economy to luxury surrounding Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City. Purchase of Colonial Williamsburg resort services and products supports The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the private, not-for-profit center for history and citizenship that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia.
Williamsburg, Va., is located within an hour’s drive of Richmond or Norfolk, 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., just off Interstate 64.
More information about Colonial Williamsburg is available by accessing the website at http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/do/wellness-and-recreation/golf or by calling toll-free 1-800-HISTORY (447-8679).
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a center for history and citizenship, is a not-for-profit educational institution and cultural destination. The Foundation is dedicated to promoting the importance of an informed, active citizenry. Its mission, “that the future may learn from the past,” is realized through offering innovative, imaginative and interactive experiences – both on- and off-site – designed to educate guests about the importance of the American Revolution. From the RevQuest: Save the Revolution! series of technology-assisted alternate reality games, to the theatrical programming of Revolutionary City®, guests can become immersed in the drama of the American Revolution and discover the ongoing relevance of the past. Guests can also visit the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, enjoy the many gardens and green spaces, and visit up to 35 historic sites. To experience all that the Foundation offers, guests may stay in one of the five award-winning official Colonial Williamsburg hotels and enjoy the award-winning golf courses of the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, indulge in The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg and shop in 40 stores. Fine dining is offered in more than 20 locations from historic dining taverns to restaurants with contemporary fare. Colonial Williamsburg is open 365 days a year. A full schedule of programs and special events can be found by visiting colonialwilliamsburg.com.
Contact:
Barbara Rust Brown, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
(757) 220-7280 or bbrown@cwf.org
or
Karen Moraghan, Hunter Public Relations
(908) 876-5100 or kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
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