Golf Course Review - The Homestead (Cascades/Old Courses)

Published online on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

FACTS AND STATS: Cascades Course Architect: William S. Flynn (1923), Robert Trent Jones (1961), Restoration work (2005). Year Opened: 1923. Location: Hot Springs, Virginia. Slope: 137. Rating: 73.0. Par: 70. Yardage: 6,679.

Hole-by-Hole:

1 - Par 4 398 Yds 10 - Par 4 381 Yds

2 - Par 4 432 Yds 11 - Par 3 192 Yds

3 - Par 4 289 Yds 12 - Par 4 476 Yds

4 - Par 3 210 Yds 13 - Par 4 440 Yds

5 - Par 5 575 Yds 14 - Par 4 429 Yds

6 - Par 4 367 Yds 15 - Par 3 229 Yds

7 - Par 4 417 Yds 16 - Par 5 527 Yds

8 - Par 3 153 Yds 17 - Par 5 513 Yds

9 - Par 4 448 Yds 18 - Par 3 203 Yds

Par 35 3,289 Yds Par 35 3,390 Yds

Key Events Held: USGA Senior Women's Amateur (2009), NCAA Division I Men's Championship (2004), USGA Men's Mid-Amateur Championship (2000), U.S. Women's Amateur Championship (1994), U.S. Men's Amateur Championship (1988), USGA Senior Men's Amateur Championship (1980), U.S. Women's Open Championship (1967), Curtis Cup (1966), U.S. Women's Amateur Championship (1928).

Awards Won: #4 by Golf Digest - Best in State, Virginia (2009-10), #13 by GolfWeek - Best Resort Courses (2009), #24 by Golf Digest - America's 100 Greatest Public (2009-10), 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest - Best Places to Play (2006-09), #17 by Golf Magazine - Top 100 You Can Play (2008), #1 by Golf Magazine - Top 100 You Can Play, Virginia (2008), #39 by Golf Digest - America's 100 Greatest Courses (2003-04).

FACTS AND STATS: Old Course Architect: First 6 holes (unknown, 1892), Donald Ross (1913), Rees Jones (renovation/restoration, 1994). Year Opened: 1892. Location: Hot Springs, Virginia. Slope: 129. Rating: 69.0. Par: 72. Yardage: 6,227.

Hole-by-Hole:

1 - Par 5 519 Yds 10 - Par 4 381 Yds

2 - Par 3 153 Yds 11 - Par 3 199 Yds

3 - Par 5 465 Yds 12 - Par 5 544 Yds

4 - Par 5 473 Yds 13 - Par 5 581 Yds

5 - Par 3 163 Yds 14 - Par 4 355 Yds

6 - Par 4 383 Yds 15 - Par 5 502 Yds

7 - Par 4 329 Yds 16 - Par 3 169 Yds

8 - Par 4 323 Yds 17 - Par 4 354 Yds

9 - Par 3 163 Yds 18 - Par 3 171 Yds

Par 36 2,971 Yds Par 36 3,256 Yds

Awards Won: 4 stars by Golf Digest - Best Places to Play (2006-09), AAA Four Diamond Award Winner (2007-09), Best Resort for Buddy Trips - Travel + Leisure Golf (2006).

Web site: www.thehomestead.com.

HISTORY: Dating back to 1766, The Homestead is one of the premier resorts in the United States, if not the world.

For over 200 years, the secluded retreat has been known to rejuvenate the soul with its warm mineral springs and health spa. Now, 230 years later, The Homestead is still healing the heart and mind.

As the story goes, an Indian brave fell weary of a long trek while delivering a message from his people in the mountains to a destination on the ocean shore. Before reaching his destination, he decided to rest in the warm waters of the Warm Springs Valley. After a restful night's sleep, the brave's batteries were recharged and he made his way to his final destination to alert everyone of his wonderful discovery.

Prior to becoming president, George Washington, then a colonel in the Virginia regiment, visited the springs. It was however, an officer in nearby Fort Dinwiddie, Thomas Bullitt, along with Andrew and Thomas Lewis who obtained a deed to 300 acres, close to where the springs were located. Bullitt had the foresight to buy out the brothers and build the first lodge on the current Homestead grounds.

Over the years, The Homestead had many owners, however, when Dr. Thomas Goode, a local physician in the region, purchased the property in 1832, the resort reached a whole new level. Claiming the resort and its waters had healing powers, Goode expanded the hotel, and built bathhouses and cabins to attract visitors from the eastern seaboard. Although it took days to reach the mountain retreat, people flocked to The Homestead.