THE HOMESTEAD RESORT (Cascades and Old Course)
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).
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.
Ownership continued to change and so did the facilities at The Homestead. Cottages, additions to the hotel, tennis courts, a six-hole golf course and miles of riding trails and walkways were designed. The Old Course at The Homestead dates back to 1892, and its first tee still represents the oldest
tee in continuous use in this country.
Donald Ross is credited with creating this gem, and expanded the course to 18 holes. The par-72 layout is quite short by today's standards, but still packs quite a punch with its drastic elevation changes and slick greens.
With golf becoming popular, the Virginia Hot Springs Co., who now owned the resort, decided to purchase additional land just a few miles away and by 1923 the Cascades Course, designed by William Flynn, opened for play.
Robert Trent Jones designed the final course at The Homestead, the Lower Cascades, which was constructed 40 years later.
Many national tournaments have been staged at The Homestead, but it is also known as the home of one of the greatest golfers of all time, Samuel Jackson Snead.
Born May 27, 1912 in nearby Ashwood, Virginia, Snead's father worked at The Homestead and as he grew, the youngest of six children, Snead would sneak on the Old Course to play. It wasn't until high school, however, that he was able to play on the Cascades. After high school, Snead became the assistant pro at The Homestead and was the first golf professional at the Cascades Course. Snead honed his game at The Homestead, earning the moniker Slammin' Sammy. His career and sweet swing were legendary....82 PGA Tour wins, 165 professional wins, seven major championships and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. But did you know, that when Snead was giving lessons at The Homestead, it cost a mere $3?
The legend of Sam Snead was certainly born at the Cascades, where he still owns the course record of 61. Snead started his round by driving the first green and finishing his round with nine consecutive threes.
The Homestead was always home to Snead, a place where he lived and died. Snead passed away at the age of 89 in 2002, just four days shy of his birthday, at his home in Hot Springs. Upon his passing, Jack Nicklaus said it best, "He brought so much to the game with his great swing and the most fluid motion ever to grace a golf course."
The United States Golf Association has enjoyed coming to The Homestead for many years. Just five years after opening its doors, the Cascades course hosted the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship. Glenna Collett captured her third Women's Amateur there, and the first of three consecutive titles by defeating Virginia Van Wie, 13 & 12. In her five matches, Collett was never forced past the 15th hole, as she dominated her opponents.
In 1966, the USGA brought the Curtis Cup to the Cascades Course, as the United States posted its largest margin of victory over the team from Great Britain & Ireland, 13-5.
The following year, the U.S. Women's Open made its way to The Homestead. Amateur Catherine Lacoste defeated Susie Maxwell and Beth Stone by two shots. Although Lacoste became the youngest winner of this championship at the time and the only amateur ever to win the U.S. Women's Open, the real winner was the golf course. Her total score for the four rounds was 10-over-par!
Accomplished amateur William Campbell won his second straight Senior Amateur Championship at The Homestead in 1980, defeating Keith Compton, 3 & 2. Campbell was the medalist for the stroke-play portion at seven-over-par.
The prestigious U.S. Amateur Championship was staged on the Cascades Course in 1988. Medalist Eric Meeks defeated Danny Yates, 7 & 6 in the championship match. The field included a who's who of golfers, such as David Toms, Jim Furyk, Bob May, Chris DiMarco, Robert Gamez, Billy Mayfair and Jay Sigel. Meeks' road to the title was not an easy one, as he defeated Sigel in 21 holes
and Toms and Gamez 1-up.
ClubResorts, a division of ClubCorp, acquired The Homestead in 1993 and began a major restoration project. Part of this process was the renovation of the Old Course by "The Open Doctor," Rees Jones. The million-dollar enhancement brought this Grande dame into the 21st century.
1994 brought the Women's Amateur Championship back to The Homestead, as current LPGA Tour player Wendy Ward defeated Jill McGill, 2-up. A talented field of current Tour stars competed that year, including Emilee Klein, Angela Stanford, Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie, Kelli Kuehne, Leta Lindley and Riko Higashio.
When the 2000 Mid-Amateur came to Hot Springs, Virginia, Greg Puga came away the winner, defeating Wayne Raath, 3 & 1. Four players earned medalist honors at 3-under. Puga, a caddie at the famed Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, became the youngest winner of this championship. Trailing 2-down after nine holes, Puga caught fire with back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12 to square the match and then won three of the next five holes to win the match. Puga was equivalent to 2-under par for the back nine.
The NCAA Division I Men's Championship was held in 2004 at the Cascades Course and current PGA Tour player Ryan Moore won the individual title. Moore fired a 4-under-par 66 in the final round. Moore's final round consisted of three bogeys, but seven birdies, including a hole out from the bunker on No. 4 for birdie, and a chip in from the rough on the final hole for a birdie. He
finished at 13-under for the championship, six ahead of Bill Haas and Chris Nallen. Moore shot par or better in all four rounds, including a third-round 64.
In 2006, KSL Resorts acquired management of The Homestead and has once again brought The Homestead into the forefront of the American resort landscape.
As recently as 2009, the USGA brought the Senior Women's Amateur to the Cascades Course. Sherry Herman won three straight holes on the back nine, starting with a birdie from five-feet on the 10th en route to defeating Carolyn Creekmore, 4 & 3 in the championship match. Herman glowed in her assessment of this classic venue. "It's a phenomenal golf course. I am really thrilled and honored and will never forget this moment." Even though the course played under 6,000 yards, not one player finished under par for the two rounds. In fact, only medalist Joan Higgins was able to break par, shooting 68 in round two. The scoring average for the week was 81.344!
Throughout it's history, The Homestead has hosted presidents, heads of state, celebrities and even the Japanese during World War II. From Thomas Jefferson, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge and Lyndon Johnson to future presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.
Many resorts come and go, but the heritage and splendor of The Homestead will live on forever.
REVIEW: CASCADES COURSE: At 398 yards from the tips, the opening hole on the Cascades Course at first blush seems to be a pushover. Don't be misled by the yardage, the first plays uphill from tee to green and requires an accurate tee ball, avoiding the bunkers and trees right. If successful, you should be left with a short- to mid-iron to a very accessible green. The two-tiered putting
surface is flanked by two bunkers left and one right, so don't be careless and you'll make par.
The longest par four on the front side, the second is another hole at the Cascades that plays quite a bit longer than the yardage. At 432 yards, it is rated as the third hardest hole on the course. The tree-lined fairway tilts hard from left to right with a pair of traps laying in wait down the right side. A mid- to long-iron will be required to get home, if you were lucky enough to stay in the fairway. A massive traps guards the green, short and right, so avoid at all costs.
Your best shot at birdie might come at the third. Just 289 yards long, it plays uphill towards the green, but requires quite a bit of thought. The fairway runs out around the 230 mark, as it leans towards the right and is lined by trees. Long iron or fairway metal will set up a delicate little pitch
over a grassy quarry to the green that's perched on a hill. Nicknamed "Shelf" the putting surface slopes from back to front and is quite slick, so below the hole at all costs. By the way, avoid the deep bunker, right, it will mess up your score.
One of the many signature holes at The Homestead, the fourth is the first par three on the course. From the tips, it's a robust 210 yards playing downhill from a chute of trees. A large trap on the left side will snare any shot slightly pulled and missing long is not an option, as it falls off sharply
behind the putting surface.
The lengthiest hole on the Cascades Course is the par-five fifth. It's also the most difficult on the scorecard. Favor the left side of the fairway with your driver, avoiding the hillside of rough and canting fairway. This will leave a blind second shot up and over a sloping landing area. Your approach to the green will be of the short variety, however downhill slope will give you an uneven lie. The right to left putting surface is guarded by three traps, one left and two in the rear, but if you play your cards right and you negotiate the fairway slope, you can make birdie.
Not be taken for granted, the sixth is another short, but tricky par four. Just 367 yards, you must find the fairway, as trees down the right and left, not to mention thick rough will make your life miserable. Your approach is played uphill towards the green, so take an extra club (trust me), or you'll dump your approach in the greenside bunker. Beautifully framed by the trees in the back, don't miss long or left or beauty will be in the eyes of the beholder, not the golfer.
You know what they say about opinions, but in my estimation, the seventh is the most difficult hole on the front side. From an elevated tee, you'll need to crack a big drive down the left side, as the fairway tilts hard to the right, where a pair of traps wait patiently. Although the yardage remaining
should be minimal, your approach is straight uphill to a blind putting surface. Take two extra sticks or your shot will roll right back down the fairway. Mine did, not to mention everyone else in our foursome. The green is fairly benign with sand left and right, so if you've reached the promised land, take advantage.
The short eighth is not be taken lightly. It's nicknamed "Cemetery Ridge" for several reasons, some of which have nothing to do with golf. The difficult part of the hole is choosing the right club off the tee, as it plays a bit downhill and usually into a swirling wind. A large trap guards the left side
of the green and a little pot bunker is on the right, a no-no for sure. The putting surface is not tricky, but missing long or right and you'll have no shot at saving par.
If you thought the view on the seventh was awesome, wait to you reach the ninth tee box with the mountains in the rear. What a site! You'll have to focus on the task at hand, as the closing hole on the outward nine is a bear. At 448 yards, it's the second longest par four on the course. Downhill from the tee, you'll need to reach the plateau around the 250-yard mark or you'll have a blind second to the green. Trees and out-of-bounds down the right and thick rough and more trees on the left will keep you on your toes. The rolling fairway tilts to the left and plays downhill towards the green. As you get closer to the putting surface, the fairway tightens, thanks to trees that have grown thick and tall over the years. A wonderful test of golf.
Put your thinking cap back on as you approach the 10th. Not long by today's standards at 381 yards, this dogleg right par four requires every bit of strategy. First the tee shot. The fairway drops down to a flat area around the 260-yards mark, but leave your tee ball short and on the ridge and you'll be faced with an awkward downhill approach to a well-guarded green. If you were fortunate to catch the slope and reach the flat, then just 100 yards remain. The trick is negotiating the less than full approach, especially with a back-right pin, where a bunker fronts and grassy hollows await.
The 11th is another outstanding par three of 192 yards. Although it plays slightly downhill, you'll need a mid- to long-iron to reach the putting surface. The green slopes from left to right and front to back and any approach past pin high, usually runs over the green. The large fronting trap see's plenty of action, not to mention the trees and thick rough to the right. Although the scorecard rates the par threes at the Cascades as the easiest, they're not.
As far as difficulty goes, No. 12 gets high marks. It's the longest par four on the course (476 yards) and it's the tightest of the bunch. From an elevated tee box, you'll need to thread the needle on this bending left dogleg. Tall stands of trees guard both sides of the fairway on this old par five, and
although no bunkers come into play in the landing area, thick rough takes over instead. A long iron or fairway metal will be required to reach the green, which is guarded on three sides by sand. The long putting surface is relatively flat, and that should help when you're trying to save par.
Number 13 is a smart, dogleg left par four, the second of three consecutive solid holes over 400 yards. With a creek running down the entire left side, cutting the corner is not recommended. Playing back towards the mountain, the play should be a draw off the right fairway bunker. A mid-iron remains to a green that looks closer than it is due to the series of bunkers, short and left of the green. Remember stay clear of the left for your best shot at par.
The straightaway 14th continues a difficult stretch of holes. This par four reaches 429 yards and must be negotiated with precise accuracy. The tee ball must find the fairway, as trees dominate down both sides of the landing area. The real test is your approach, that must carry the fronting bunkers. Although the green is small in length, it is wide and very slick from right to left. Believe me when I say that three-putts are the norm.
The longest of the three pars, the 15th stretches to 229 yards and although it plays slightly downhill, you'll need to reach into your bag for a fairway metal. From a chute of trees, try to work the ball left to right to achieve the best result. Sand left and right guards the long, narrow putting surface.
Staying below the hole shouldn't be a problem, as the green slopes from back to front.
Back-to-back par fives should cure the scorecard, or will it? Not so fast. The 16th is a wonderful, dogleg right three-shotter of 527 yards. The tee shot must try to cut the corner to have any chance of getting home in two. Three bunkers down the right cover the corner, not to mention several tall trees and the creek that runs the entire right side. Next up is the layup or if your bold, going for it. The layback is the sensible play. Although the fairway tightens the closer to the green you go, it sure beats going in the creek/pond that fronts the putting surface. That's right, the babbling brook that runs
down the right, cuts in front of the green, creating a little bit of havoc with your thoughts. The putting surface runs back to front with two bunkers in the rear. Use your head, layup short and then knock down a little wedge and make the putt for birdie.
Trailing by nine shots heading into the final round of the 1967 U.S. Women's Open, Louise Suggs rallied to pick up eight shots heading into No. 16. Her third shot on the par five however, finished embedded in the bank of the pond, as she took a seven and thus costing herself a chance at the title.
In complete contrast, the par-five 17th is a dogleg left with thick trees left and once again, the creek down the entire right side. Off the tee, you must favor the right side, as any shot too close to the left, will be blocked out. Although reachable in two at just 513 yards, play down the left, as the creek juts out into the fairway near the green. Bunkers left and rear will keep you honest, but they shouldn't hinder your shot at birdie.
Not many courses in the United States close with a par three, but the Cascades Course concludes with a beauty. How this hole is rated the easiest on the course is beside me. At 203 yards and all carry, No. 18 is far from simple. An elevated tee box heightens the experience as you blast your long iron or fairway metal. The crystal clear pond short of the green should not come into play, but the two traps, one on either side will. Even hitting the green in regulation is no guarantee of a par. The putting surface is as slick as any on the course and runs hard from back to front.
Snead felt that, "If you can play the Cascades, you can play anywhere." That statement is right on the money.
OLD COURSE: The granddaddy of The Homestead, the Old Course opens with a short par five of just 519 yards. Whoa! It's rated the hardest hole on the course. Well, for starters, it's straight uphill from tee to green, a climb of 50 feet. A group of trees down the right must be avoided, but miss left and your OB. A trio of bunkers down the left side pinch the fairway as you head up towards the green, so layup right and leave yourself a little wedge to a partially blind putting surface. The green is simple, so take advantage if you can.
Number two is the first of six par three's on the course. At 153 yards, it's also the shortest, but not necessarily the easiest. Once again, playing uphill, the green is not in view from the tee, but the deep, fronting bunker certainly is. The putting surface runs back to front and can be quick, if you're not paying attention.
The climb continues on the par-five third. Another short three-shotter, this one can be had, but don't underestimate the ascent. The tee ball is played down to a valley that tilts from right to left, with thick rough on either side. A fairway metal should be enough to get home in two, just make sure you miss the greenside trap to the right. The putting surface is long and can add a club or two to your approach. The bottom line, a real birdie chance.
The third par five in four holes, No. 4 is also reachable. Just 473 yards in length, this time the trees down both sides of the fairway are most definitely in play. Avoid the vegetation and your home free, well, sort of. Your second shot plays down towards the green into a valley. The fairway runs out well
before the putting surface and any shot short of the green, will leave the player an uphill pitch to a very tiny green. There is sand left and right that is set below the surface, which makes for a difficult up and down.
Another stellar par three, the fifth plays downhill to a boomerang-shaped putting surface that runs from middle to back. The bunkers right and left are very deep and are to be avoided at all costs. Not to mention, missing long and right. You won't believe how fast this green is.
The sixth is a roller-coaster par four. Not very long at 383 yards, but it has plenty of bite. Trees down the right and thick rough on both sides, really squeeze the player as he tries to finesse his first shot. Your approach is directly uphill to the green, so make sure you take an extra club or two to get home. The bunker short of the green on the right side sits well below the putting surface. Miss left and the ball will feed down towards the green, miss right and you'll miss the green entirely and your ball will trickle down the hill. By the way, the back-to-front rolling surface can give even the best
player fits.
After crossing the road, the short seventh awaits. A dogleg left par four of only 329 yards, it's one of the shortest on the course. Take out the driver, as the hole plays uphill towards the green and you'll give yourself a great shot at birdie. Avoid the left corner and you'll have just a wedge to a long,
narrow green with sand on both sides. It's birdie time.
The eighth is a wonderful par four that starts low and finishes high. A straightaway 323-yarder, take the big stick out and bang one deep, leaving 60-70 yards to a very steep, uphill putting surface. The bunker right is similar to the one on seven, so pay attention. Any shot just reaching the surface, will find it's way back down the fairway, so be careful. Birdies galore, but plenty of bogeys.
Number nine is a solid par three of 163 yards. Slightly downhill from the tee, sand occupies the right and rear of the green. With plenty of trouble to the right and long, feel free to bail out left. It's no crime to get up and down for par.
The backside opens with a downhill, slight dogleg left par four of just 381 yards. Play towards the right side of the fairway, as your tee shot will bound left down the hill. Just a short iron should remain to a slightly crowned green with sand left and right. Any approach slightly mishit will roll off the front side and into a collection area or the deep trap left. The putting surface rolls hard from back to front, so stay below the hole.
The 11th is the longest par three on the course, reaching 199 yards from the blue markers. Don't be fooled by the slightly downhill appearance, you'll need every bit of your long iron or fairway metal to get home. My four iron was pin-high in the right greenside trap, which made for a difficult up and down, as the bunker sits well below the putting surface. Long is no picnic either, as the steep incline indicates.
Number 12 is a long and somewhat reachable par five. At 544 yards it can be had, but you'll need a straight tee shot and an even more accurate second to reach the putting surface. Use the right-to-left tilting fairway to your advantage in an effort to get home. Laying up will leave an awkward lie in the
fairway, but with a wedge in hand, you should be able to negotiate the terrain. The putting surface is small and circular and fairly quick from back to front. Short shots tend to roll back off the green, so club choice is key.
Similar to the front side, the closing nine has back-to-back par fives, however the 13th is not reachable. At 581 yards, downhill and to the right with trees and out-of-bounds right, it's highly unlikely. The vista from the tee is beautiful and worth every penny you spent to play at The Homestead. Your layup will be a difficult one, as your stance will be crooked and the landing area you seek tilts from left to right. Favor the left side with your third, as even a slightly pulled shot will carom to the right, however a missed approach to the right will end up in sand or worse, OB!
At just 355 yards, the 14th is a fairly, straightforward par four. From an elevated tee, favor the left side to avoid the trees down the right. You'll have less than 100 yards to a raised green that presents little trouble. Here is your chance to get one back.
The final par five on the course, the 15th is long and lean, reaching 502 yards. It plays uphill from the tee box and over a hill to a rolling, narrow fairway. You'll have to splice your tee shot into the short grass to have any shot at getting home in two, as thick rough on either side and OB right can be distracting. On a positive note, there is no sand to be had on this hole, just plenty of green, green grass. The putting surface rolls off in every direction, but shouldn't hamper your attempt at birdie. If I can make four, so can you.
The closing stretch of holes can be construed as the easiest section on the course. If you think that, you're sorely mistaken. Number 16 is probably the hardest par three on the Old Course. For some reason, it ranks 18th on the card, but you have to be precise with your tee shot, or you'll end up in sand or worse, long and right of the green. You see, the two fronting bunkers sit well below the putting surface, making it next to impossible to make three from. Any shot off line to the right will bound down towards the road, ditto for anything long. And the green, well it's one of the smallest on the course. Go ahead, make three, I dare you.
Seventeen is a short, downhill par four, inviting you to let one loose. Whatever you do, don't! You're just asking for trouble. Just a long iron off the tee will set up a sharp, downhill approach to a postage stamp putting surface. Sand short-right is a bad miss, as is long and right. The view however of the hotel, is awesome.
It's not often a golf course finishes with a par three, East Lake in Atlanta comes to mind, however the 18th on the Old Course is just that. At 171 yards in length, it requires pinpoint control and accuracy, as trouble looms all around. Miss right and you finish in sand, five feet below the green. Miss a little left and you might get lucky. A lot left and you're re-teeing. And long, well, you have no shot at finding your ball in the trees. Think positive. Take out the right stick and make a good swing. Heck, it's only golf.
FINAL WORD: The Homestead is a step back in time, with an emphasis on the future as well. A complete resort experience from top to bottom.
As soon as you walk into the grand hall of the luxurious and not overstated hotel, you harken back to a simpler, yet elegant time.
Amenities galore, The Homestead has so much to offer.
Let's begin with the activities. For the outdoor enthusiasts, there's hiking, biking, horseback riding, carriage rides, fishing, falconry, swimming, shooting, paintball, tennis and of course, golf. Remember, The Homestead is a year-round resort, so let's not forget skiing, snowboarding, skating, tubing and snowmobiles. In fact, it was The Homestead which brought skiing to the southern region in 1959.
Oh, there's more.
The spa, named one of the top-50 spas in North America, uses the time-honored therapies to heal and nurture the heart and mind. With all of the latest technology, The Homestead Spa features an indoor pool, built back in 1904 and of course, guests have access to the Jefferson Pools. Just a short ride from the resort, the pools are split into two buildings, one for men and one for women. Just as they were during the 18th century, the crystal-clear waters are a balmy 96 degrees throughout the year.
How about bowling and a movie? The bowling alley features eight lanes with complimentary shoes. Toss in a few video games and it's q family home run. You can even take in a flick after dinner in the movie theatre.
Speaking of dining, you'll need a coat and tie to taste the sumptuous fare in the main dining room, where musicians play nightly. The 1766 Grille features French and American cuisine as you overlook the beautiful Homestead grounds.
If it's a casual dining experience you seek, go no further than Sam Snead's Tavern. Just a few minutes walk from the hotel, the tavern boasts a wonderful collection of photographs and memorabilia from his life and times. And the food's not bad either!
When we talk about tradition, then mosey your way down to the Great Hall to sip some afternoon tea at 4 p.m., while listening to a soft piano and eating scones...now that's a time-honored custom. The setting is just like it was back in the 1700s.
Venturing off the property can be an exciting experience as well. Grab a pizza at a local hangout and you might just run into J.C. Snead, the nephew of the golfing great, who frequented the area when he was alive. The younger Snead, also born in Hot Springs, played successfully on both the PGA and Champions Tours, winning a combined 12 times. Don't be shy, he was very approachable!
And the golf, well, The Homestead is as good as it gets in that regard.
It's not often you get to play a course that's hosted so many national championships as the Cascades Course. And the Old Course, what a blast. There's even the Lower Cascades Course which was designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones in 1963.
The Cascades Course features five par three's that are as memorable and captivating as any in the east and that includes Golden Horseshoe's Gold Course. Premier architect William Flynn, who designed many east coast gems, such as The Country Club, Shinnecock Hills and Atlantic City Country Club, and also assisted Hugh Wilson with the completion of Merion Golf Club's famed East Course, created this masterpiece.
Originally laid out in 1892 as a six-hole layout, the Old Course was expanded in 1913 and was crafted by none other than Donald Ross. His accomplishments are well known and so is this beautiful, yet demanding layout. Six par five's, four's and three's make up the course, which traverses throughout the Virginia countryside and Allegheny Mountains. Rolling fairways with rarely a level
lie..you'll be hard-pressed to break par.
The accolades are endless. The conditioning is sensational and the staff as professional and personable as you'll find anywhere in the country.
The latest addition to the resort is the Homestead Golf Academy, which debuted in early 2009. "The Homestead has always been a leader among U.S. golf resort schools, as it has been designed to teach smaller groups, giving each student individualized instruction and attention," said Don Ryder, director of golf at The Homestead. The customized packages fit all levels of players and families.
A driving range and a wonderful short-game practice facility, not to mention full-stocked pro shops at The Cascades and Old Course will tantalize your taste in apparel. Golf at The Homestead is a seven-letter word, Perfect.
Let's get this straight. Presidents, heads of state, members of high society and royalty have been graced by The Homestead and its lore. You have to ask yourself, why haven't you?
When all is said and done, it's the wonderful atmosphere, accommodations, amenities, activities, hospitality and southern charm and grace that will keep you coming back year after year to The Homestead.