THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN COURSE
Ballyhack, County Bedford
Can't find County Bedford on the Emerald Isle? Look instead just east of Roanoke, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There you'll find Ballyhack Golf Club, a Lester George (Kinloch Golf Club) creation, just opening its doors.
A dramatic layout, Ballyhack, tucked under the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, is a private national club of the same uncompromising standard set by Kinloch, near Richmond.
Rolling over a mostly open plot land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, vertical scale and detailed bunkering characterize a stern course that is borderline too hilly to walk. The holes are well varied, scenic and strategically challenging for all players from A to Z. Green complexes range in size from small and cozy to epically huge (the twin 13th/15th green at 25,000 square feet is only slightly bigger than the 18th at 21,000 square feet).
Ballyhack was founded to offer members a one-of-a-kind experience on and off the course. Privacy and seclusion complement the comfort and luxury that Ballyhack will become known for. The golf experience will be a sense of time-honored European tradition in the Virginia mountains. The is intended to "preserve the old-world tradition of the premier, most revered overnight golf destinations of the world."
Tee times won't be necessary for Ballyhack members and a busy day will constitute 50 rounds played, which means the staff will have plenty of time to attend to the needs of each member and his guests.
The club's amenities and service will obviously be 5-star, but it will be an understate elegance rather than an over-the-top flamboyancy. A post-round beverage will lead to a gourmet dinner and then an evening in a private cabin, appointed with the finest provisions.
A world-class practice area is always available to fine-tune any part of your game. The future clubhouse will set the bar for elegance but modesty. All of this means Ballyhack will join the Sand Hills, Ballyneal and Sutton Bay as one of America's very special luxurious and private golf getaways.
Pour me a post-round Guinness for at Ballyhack I feel I am in Ireland.
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