Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Golfer Bob
Arlington
2009-07-11
Guest (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2009 at noon
Played here 7-9-09, as a guest, and was thorouhgly impressed by everything about WGCC, from the minute of arrival until departure several hours later. The course is one of the very best I have ever played: it is an 1894 Donald Ross design, and every shot is a challenge and a thrill. Not a level lie anywhere on the course, which makes for some interesting shot/club decisions.
The original design has had several updates over the years, but the character of the course seems unchanged. Most greens are small by contemporary standards, but make up for their size with very subtle breaks and contours. Fairways are bent grass, and are lush. Bunkers are plentiful, and very well placed. Almost every tee box provides a visualy arresting vista, especially #18, coming back up the hill to the clubhouse. Despite the relatively complact dimensions of the course, at only about 88 acres, almost every hole seems isolated, with few parallel fairways.
The clubhouse is very nice, with a veranda overlooking the course (good views of two tees and two greens), and a spectacular view of Washington National Cathedral over the trees. Service in the Grille was superb, as was the food.
If you can wangle an invitation to play this course, I highly recommend you do so...of course, you can join for only $75,000 and $600 per month...unfortunately there is a four year waiting list!
Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area
Condition of Course, Difficulty, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff, Clubhouse
Guest (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2009 at noon
Played here 7-9-09, as a guest, and was thorouhgly impressed by everything about WGCC, from the minute of arrival until departure several hours later. The course is one of the very best I have ever played: it is an 1894 Donald Ross design, and every shot is a challenge and a thrill. Not a level lie anywhere on the course, which makes for some interesting shot/club decisions.
The original design has had several updates over the years, but the character of the course seems unchanged. Most greens are small by contemporary standards, but make up for their size with very subtle breaks and contours. Fairways are bent grass, and are lush. Bunkers are plentiful, and very well placed. Almost every tee box provides a visualy arresting vista, especially #18, coming back up the hill to the clubhouse. Despite the relatively complact dimensions of the course, at only about 88 acres, almost every hole seems isolated, with few parallel fairways.
The clubhouse is very nice, with a veranda overlooking the course (good views of two tees and two greens), and a spectacular view of Washington National Cathedral over the trees. Service in the Grille was superb, as was the food.
If you can wangle an invitation to play this course, I highly recommend you do so...of course, you can join for only $75,000 and $600 per month...unfortunately there is a four year waiting list!