Like many super golf courses, the genesis of Victoria National was as a mine. This created a target rich environment for Tom Fazio to work his magic. As with many Fazio designs, there are plenty of tee options, including a why would you want to 7200+ yards, 6800+, 6400+ and just under 6k. Comparatively speaking, there are not a lot of bunkers, just over 50. We all walked that day and evidently the rakes for the bunkers are on the golf carts. We were provided a community rake. He who used it last had to carry it until the next victim fell prey. It came to be called, “The Rake of Shame”. Ultimately, we had a bet that whoever was carrying it last on 18 owed the others $5. I am happy to report that I escaped unscathed.

To the course, if you are going to score you need to do it early. The first hole is a bombs away par 4 and the 2nd is short but crafty par 4. Water left and you can drive through the fairway on the right. Utility may be the play off the tee, the elevated green is protected by a deep bunker front right. The third hole is the first par 5 and I do not understand why it is rated the #3 handicap hole. Yes, there is a river left and bunkers dot the left side, but a decent tee shot, decent second shot should give you a wedge to the green. The 4th is another short par 4 dogleg left. This also has the river left, shouldn’t really come into play, but beware of the bunkers on the right outside elbow. Either lay up or cut some of the corner. The 200+ yard par 3 5th is an interesting hole. The green is shaped like a guitar pick with deep bunkers left and right. Oh, I forgot to mention the water front, left and long. Not to worry there is room to bail out right. The 6th is a mcgilla and aptly the #1 handicap hole. My advice is a hit a long and straight tee shot and then do it again on your approach. The 7th and 8th are pedestrian, watch out for the fairway bunker on the right on 8. The front closes out with a solid par 5, bunkers right, waste area left. You are forced to pick a side for your second shot, left is better.

Similar to the front if you are going to score, do it early 10-13. The back starts off with another par 5. Pretty straight and uphill, big hitters can get home in two. The 11th is rated the easiest on the course, mid-length downhill par 3 with a carry over water. The 12th is a slight dogleg left that is driveable. Having said that, it also means you can drive it through the fairway. The 13th is pretty straight, albeit with a quasi-split fairway on the left. Take dead aim at the green from the tee box. If the pin is right, it is green light, left play more conservatively. The left bunker well below the green is not user friendly. I do not recall playing five tough finishing holes than Victoria National. How does the 471 par 4 14th sound? Wait, there is more, elevated green, water left off the tee and woods down the right. The reverse S par 5 15th starts with a blind tee shot up a chute. It is reachable, but you must carry the water hazard that extends left of the green. The greenside bunker left actually integrates into the water hazard. If you are a hooker aim at the hill right of the green and it should feed down to the green. Don’t overcook it like me. Most folks consider the par 3 16th the signature hole. It is downhill with a creek in front, bunker right, water right and left and a tricky green to boot. The last two holes are long par 4s dogleg rights. The 17th is uphill, longer, difficult but not nefarious. When you get to the 18th tee box, it is hard not to say “wow”. The water hazard overwhelms the senses off the tee and forces most folks left. This sets up an extremely long approach. While intimidating, if you can hit a drive 220, you can and should cut some of the corner. Par is a good score on this demanding finishing hole.