Golf courses Virginia Hot Springs Homestead Resort, Cascades Golf Course

Homestead Resort, Cascades Golf Course

7696 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, Virginia, 24445
Type: Resort
No. Holes: 18
(540) 839-7739
Architect: William S. Flynn (35)
                       Robert Trent Jones Sr. (205)
                      
Homestead Resort, Cascades Golf Course, Hot Springs, Virginia, 24445 - Golf Course Photo
Add Course Image

Detailed description of Homestead Resort, Cascades Golf Course

Homestead Resort is a 54-hole resort / open-to-the-public golf and resort facility located in Hot Springs, Virginia. The facility has three 18-hole championship golf courses. They are, The Old Course, The Cascades Course, and The Lower Cascades Course. The Homestead's golf tradition dates back more than 100 years. The historic resort is home to three championship golf courses that make the most of their breathtaking mountain setting - especially the spectacular waterfalls and rushing stream of Cascades Gorge

The Cascades Course was designed by William S. Flynn and first opened for play in 1923. The course was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1961. In 2006 it went through a further renovation that restored the course to its original design.

The Cascades Course is considered by many to be the finest mountain course in the country. the Cascades Course stretches out below Virginia's breathtaking Allegheny Mountains. The Cascades uses its varied terrain to influence play, not dictate it. Advanced players are rewarded for shotmaking, while less skilled golfers are not penalized by forced carries or unfair hazard placement.

The Cascades course has narrow fairways and well-bunkered greens. "GOLF WEEK" at one point rated this as Virginia's #1 course. The Cascades Course has played host to two U.S. Women's Amateur Championships, a Curtis Cup match, and the U.S. Women's Open.

The Cascades is noted for grooming some of the PGA's past and present touring professionals. Foremost among these are Sam Snead, who began his professional career at The Homestead in 1934, and Richmond, Va., native Lanny Watkins, the 1995 Ryder Cup captain.

Par-70, 6,667 yards, 72.8 / 134

This course has been reviewed 2 times
Golf Course ranker Photo, David Theoret
Crossville, TN

Guest (cart included), played on Thursday, August 2022 at 12:00 PM

The Homestead Resort has been a part of Omni Hotels and Resorts since 2013 and is a one-of-a-kind property in Hot Springs, Virginia especially if you enjoy outdoor activities. Several management and investment companies have owned the resort, and each has left its mark, but Omni has taken it to a whole new level. In 2016 The Homestead Resort earned an accolade that is virtually unheard of for any hotel, inn, or resort located in the United States—a 250th anniversary! The Historic Hotels of America is proud to count the Homestead Resort as one of its charter members.

The Homestead is a year-round resort. In the warm spring, summer, and most of the fall months, guests enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, archery, shooting, falconry, tennis, and, of course, golf. In the winter, The Homestead becomes a ski resort, in fact, the oldest ski resort in Virginia. Other winter activities include snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobiling.

With plenty to do here, golf still seems to be the main attraction, and rightfully so. The Homestead is home to two high-caliber golf courses: The Old Course and The Cascades. Collectively, both courses have been around for over 200 years, yet have stood the test of time. Names such as Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones, William Flynn, and Rees Jones have built and rebuilt them. They have been updated and restored over the years including lengthening and adapting to keep up with changes in golf equipment technology.

One of the most famous golfers to ever play on the PGA Tour, Sam Snead, lived in or near Hot Springs for his entire life, and for several decades was the Homestead's golf pro. The Sam Snead Tavern – adjacent to The Homestead – contains memorabilia from his career. Rumor has it that Sneed landed the head pro job after he gave one of the member’s wives a lesson and she told the owners it was the best golf lesson she had ever had. He was offered the job the next day!

The Old Course was the resort’s first course and was established in 1892 when the first 6 holes were opened for play. That first hole is still in use today, making it the oldest first tee in continuous use in the nation. In 1919 things were going so well at the resort that they decided a second course was needed. A nearby farm that was owned by New York stockbroker Jacob Rubino was the chosen site for this new course. Several architects visited the site including A.W. Tillinghast, and all said the land was not suitable for golf. After studying the area, golf course architect William S. Flynn – known for his ability to take seemingly unplayable terrain and turn it into a memorable golf layout – felt that if the adjoining parcel of land could be purchased, plans to move forward with an 18-hole championship golf course could proceed. The land was purchased and on September 12, 1923, construction began on The Cascades.

Thanks to the routing skills of William Flynn, the Cascades is annually ranked as one of the top courses in the country. Because of the routing, a full variety of shot-making is required, and Flynn’s courses will test a player’s accuracy, carry, and length. The Cascades is a unique layout for a couple of reasons. First, there are no houses on the course. Second, a mountain stream winds its way throughout the layout, bringing water into play on a few holes. Third, the course finishes 3-5-5-3. Enough said!

Course knowledge goes a long way in scoring well on the Cascades too. For example, golfers with course knowledge of The Cascades know that on the 274-yard par 4 3rd hole, the club to hit off the tee is NOT driver! Those of us with little or no course knowledge will try and force a driver between the trees on either side of the fairway. The green is perched upon a shelf, hence the name “Shelf.” Any approach shot that does not make it up the hill onto the putting surface may well roll back down.

The last four holes can make or break a great round. Number 15, “Vanity Fair” plays over 200 yards from any of the three Men’s Tees and doesn’t have a lot of trouble, other than its length.

Number 16, “The Hemlocks,” is a dogleg right par 5 that plays 488 yards from the White Tees and is one of the most photographed holes on the course. It’s not the longest par 5 but the dammed – or damned, if you hit into it - creek that runs in front of the green will have you thinking about going for it in two. Number 17, “Cress Lakes,” is a dogleg left par 5 that plays 481 yards with that same creek running all the way down the right. Play your tee shot down the right side and leave yourself a clear shot into the green which is reachable with a good drive.

Number 18 is fittingly named “Taps.” It’s a 165-yard par 5 that plays slightly uphill to a large, well-undulated green. Par is a great way to end your round.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing golf getaway with your spouse, or you’re the person in charge of planning golf trips, there are several reasons to consider The Omni Homestead Resort. First, obviously, is the tremendous golf courses and the opportunity to play on courses that have hosted a number of professional and national tournaments and championships. It’s not often you’ll find two courses of this caliber that both end with a par 3! Best of all, you don’t have to be an elite golfer to enjoy the courses. And, when things aren’t going well on the course, just look around and take in everything you see. I played in the spring and with tall trees everywhere, I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the fall.

Secondly, there is a lot more to a “golf vacation” these days than golf. The Homestead has so much more to offer such as a refreshing bath in the mineral springs and the opportunity to shoot clays at the home of the 1992 U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship. Or take an electric mountain bike ride around the property. And we haven’t even mentioned the dining opportunities at the resort which are numerous.

Most importantly are the people at the Omni Homestead Resort. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and will treat you better than the golf courses will!

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Ranks with the best in this price level, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Price, Pace of Play, Food/ Bar facilities, Difficulty, Ambiance, Staff, Pro Shop, Layout, No Houses on Course, Clubhouse
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 030142
Golf Course ranker Photo
Harrisonburg, VA

(cart included), played on Wednesday, January 2012 at 6am

Great Golf Course One of the best you'll ever play

Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area
 
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Staff, Pro Shop
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 018574
5.0/5
Based on 2 reviews
ForeTee
Download the App
Free – Google Play Free – App Store
Get it Get it
Nearby Golf Courses
Cliff View Golf Club, Covington, Virginia,  - Golf Course Photo
Cliff View Golf Club 11.66 miles
Covington, Virginia
Cliftondale Country Club, Clifton Forge, Virginia,  - Golf Course Photo
Clifton Forge, Virginia
Allegheny Country Club,Covington, Virginia,  - Golf Course Photo
Covington, Virginia
Pocahontas Country Club,Marlinton, West Virginia,  - Golf Course Photo
Marlinton, West Virginia
Oakhurst Links,White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia,  - Golf Course Photo
Oakhurst Links 27.63 miles
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Discussion about this course
No User Comments