Recently we made it out to the 1757 Golf Club Grand Opening in Ashburn Virginia. We were excited to witness first-hand one of the most anticipated new course openings in years.
Initially opened last year, the club is under the stewardship of Billy Casper Golf, one of the best golf management companies in the country. At that time the amenities were limited and only ten-holes were open for play. It was just enough to wet our appetite and see for ourselves what attracted Billy Casper Golf to the course. The facility and course was an ongoing project that would open in phases with a vision and potential of what could be one of the finest daily fee venues in the entire Northern Virginia region.
We are happy to report the vision has been realized if not surpassed. The combination of private club amenities, course condition manicured practice facilities and tremendous shot makers delight Par-70 course sum up the ideal standard of what a daily fee course should exude. This once beleaguered highly exclusive private club is now a "beacon of light" for all die-hard DMV golfers to enjoy!
When you first arrive at the property you can fully see the vision of the clubs original intent. The 1757 Restaurant is now open featuring a wide variety of dishes specializing in American "fresh fair". The stylishly appointed dinning room and patio overlook the Par-3 18th green and practice area.
Do you have an outing, reception, corporate event or wedding to plan? 1757 has a ballroom and smaller corporate rooms to host just about any gathering. The beautifully appointed setting will impress even the most discriminating of tastes.
When you make your way to the back of the clubhouse you can't but help to do a "double-take" when you first gaze upon the range. Actually calling this practice facility a "range" might be an insult. The 56 station "U" shaped bay has state-of-the-art hitting turf with a large open field offering several course condition greens as targets. If you make your way to the side of the clubhouse you'll find and expansive short-game area including tees, mini-fairways, bunkers and greens with lengths for shots up to 100-yards.
On the course you'll be challenged by a 6,600-yard Par-70 gem that demands your full attention. The wide assortment of varying design aspects will stimulate you visually at the tee and yet at the same time test your course management skills. Routed through hardwood trees the layout is intertwined with a barrage of different water hazards including, creeks, streams, lakes and views of the Broad Run River.
The most impressive element of the course is the “variety" it imparts. No two holes even come close to looking or feeling similar. The course starts with a parkland setting where accuracy is the most important aspect of your game. However, once you make the turn it seems the course turns into a different place with an open feel where you finally feel free to cut loose with the driver.
A great design will impart difference; it will stick in your mind long after you've completed your round. That's exactly how we felt after our first round at 1757 Golf Club and we can't wait to make our next tee time!
Amigos Favorite Hole: Have you ever had a girlfriend where the relationship is truly a "love-hate" paradox? Remember that one woman where the chemistry was so spicy it felt like a drug? Yet within the same woman the sound of her voice, laugh or slightly crooked eye made you want run for the exit as fast as you can?
Well that's the feeling we have about the 419-yard Par-4 No. 6 at 1757 Golf Club.
On the tee it's visually stunning. It's a severe dog-leg right with a water hazard guarding the entire right side. This hole is the embodiment of risk-reward just inviting you to hit a good drive and hopefully carry the corner of the dog-leg. But what you can't see from the fairway is a relatively narrow lay-up area. You really have to hit the perfect drive.
The smart move is hybrid off the tee straight up the fairway. But if you choose the smart move you'll still have a demanding second shot to the green guarded by water on the right and high grass and a retaining wall just to the right. What looks so beautiful from the tee is a devilish delight that will keep you coming back for more. Because like that one girlfriend it’s not fun to give up you just keep coming back for pleasure and pain!