Spring Creek

Spring Creek was originally intended to be one of a number of new Virginian golf courses that would form a “Sam Snead Golf Trail” (similar to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama) but Slammin’ Sammy’s death in 2002 led to the cancellation of the project. Despite the “Trail” setback, Spring Creek and other intended Trail courses like Blue Ridge Shadows and Pendleton were constructed anyway.

Architect Ed Carton had just finished work on the Poplar Grove course in Amherst when he was approached by Spring Creek owner Charles Kincannon and asked to design 18 holes on his estate. As Carton has been around the golf design business for some time – working with top designers like Tom Fazio and Michael Hurdzan as well as collaborating with great players such as Gary Player, Sam Snead and Raymond Floyd – he brought a wealth of experience to the project when it got off the ground in 2005.

The bunker complexes on the course are a major feature, adding greatly to the visual appeal of the course, and these big, bold traps are to be found in all the right strategic spots around the layout. Stacked stone walls and bridges have also been painstakingly constructed on a number of holes, greatly enhancing the aesthetic quality of the property.

Many rate the 470-yard, par four, 3rd as one of the hardest holes in the state. The landing area for the tee shot is typically generous but for those who wish to go for the green in regulation, their approach must carry Spring Creek on its way to a green sitting above a low lying rock wall.

The home hole provides a do-or-die conclusion to the round. Measuring 575 yards from the back markers, it skirts the largest lake on the course so golfers must maintain their concentration right to the very end. The hole has become more favourable to many since the landing area was leveled to stop golf balls rolling down what was once a right-to-left slope into the water but it’s still a tough way to finish.