Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold Course)

Course Type: Resort

Design Role: Complete Redesign 1998, 2016-2017

Co-Designer(s): Greg Muirhead

Client Course Description

Opened in 1963 and the work of Robert Trent Jones Sr., who called it his “finest design,” this is one of the best examples of traditional golf course architecture in the world.

Designer Notes

In 1998, we implemented a complete renovation of one of Robert Trent Jones' favorite designs. All greens, tees, and bunkers were rebuilt; serveral fairways were regraded and numerous championship tees were added. The four par 3's on this course are regarded as one of the best collections of par 3's in golf.

In May 2016, we began construction of a series of upgrades including, the reconstruction of all bunkers (using the Better Billy Bunker system), the addition of nine "Forward" tees, re-leveling all remaining tees, reconstruction of four green complexes & resurfacing of all remaining greens, a substantial expansion of the practice putting green, the creation of a Short Game Practice Area, the addition of "target greens" on the practice range, fairways grading & the installation of additional drainage infrastructure. The entire golf course will be re-grassed, featuring Northbridge bermuda on the tees & fairways, 419 bermuda in the roughs & "Pure Distinction" bent grass on the greens. The course reopened in 2017.

Site Visit Photos

Click thumbnail to enlarge photo.

Tournaments

• NCAA Division 1 Men's Championship: 2007

Awards

• Golf Magazine: Top 100 Resorts in North America 2019-2020
• Golfweek: 4th in Virginia, Best Courses You Can Play
• Golf Digest: America's 100 Greatest Public Courses
• Golf Magazine: Top 100 Courses You Can Play
• Golfweek: America's Best Resort Golf Courses
• Golf Digest: Best Golf Resort in the Mid-Atlantic
• Golf Magazine: Gold Premier Resort
• Golfweek: America's Best State-By-State Courses You Can Play

News

Appreciating The Forest For The Trees

Rees Jones’ Revolutionary Redesign in Williamsburg, VA (PDF)

History Restored: RTJ Sr.'s Gold Course At Golden Horseshoe Golf Club In Colonial Williamsburg Is A Timeless Walk

Improving Playability While Keeping Character

Golden Horseshoe Gold Course Re-Opens

Golden Horseshoe Gold Course To Reopen This July Following Renovations

Renovations To The Golden Horseshoe Gold Course To Commence This May

Golden Horseshoe Gold Course in Williamsburg Celebrates 50 Years

Rees Jones Talks About Golden Horseshoe Golf Club

Rees Jones Returns to Colonial Williamsburg's Golden Horseshoe

Rees Jones Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Golden Horseshoe