In 2002 Fairfax County received title of the D.C. Correctional Facility at Lorton.
The prison and surrounding property was divided into several parcels of land designated for a variety of different uses.
A new high school, new park and luckily for us golfers, a new course!
When you think of a "county municipal", most of us imagine a decent course where hackers are aplenty, offering more value than challenge of game. Luckily, Laurel Hill Golf Club shatters all municipal stereotypes with a high-end masterpiece that rivals any course in Northern Virginia.
With the historic prison standing guard as starting focal point, the course is etched amongst hardwood trees that populate the surround hills. The conditioning, layout and pure beauty of the course makes you think "five-star resort" instead of "county municipal".
But we have all seen beautiful courses and beauty can sometimes be a subjective quality; what makes the course "special" are the subtle nuances that linger in your memory after you play the course.
One of the courses most memorable aspects is the variety it embodies. No two holes are alike, offering a multitude of changes in scenery with limitless options of how to attack the course.
Fairways travel uphill and downhill; some Par 4s are drivable, while others border on Par 5 length; there is an elevated tee par 3 and another surrounded by water on two sides. The abundance of diversity in the design of Laurel Hill puts an emphasis on patience and course management, while utilizing every club in your bag.
To have success at Laurel Hill you must drive the ball well and in the fairway. Even though the course has a wide variety of tee lengths, it boasts a group of Par 4s that will test even the longest of hitters.
With the limited number of choices of courses to play near the beltway, the urban golfer sometimes feels like a prisoner. Luckily the the Laurel Hill Golf Club has released us all from bondage, with a unique golfing experience that is also convenient and accessible.
Amigos Favorite Hole: There are a variety of deserving favorites at Laurel Hill Golf Club, but we choose the 612-yard Par 5 Number 15 as our favorite. At over 600 yards the hole has been affectionately nicknamed by the staff, "The Green Mile".
On the tee the hole seems straight forward but once you realize the 600 plus yards is all uphill you know entirely where most of the challenge lies.
The wide open fairway begs for long drive of the day, but most will feel more comfortable playing the hole with a three shot approach.
Even if you were able to get a 3-wood home in two, your ball will be greeted by one of the narrowest greens on the course with plenty of undulation. The most prudent course of action is leaving a wedge into the green for a more manageable putt. Par is a good score on this hole, but if you're lucky enough to birdie it, give yourself some soft golf applause --- it's well deserved!