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Golf
came to The Homestead in 1892 with construction of the
first six holes of The Old Course. Famed architect
Donald Ross expanded the layout that sits directly
adjacent to the grand hotel itself. With the games
popularity rising, two courses would be added, led by
the Cascades Course, labelled by some the finest
mountain course in North America.
Designed by William
S. Flynn, the Cascades has earned the well deserved
distinction as Virginia’s finest course, while
generally being accepted as one of America’s top 50.
Most first impressions centre around the sheer beauty
of the land upon which the course rests. Scenic
mountains, rolling fairways, a meandering stream and
ample trees abound. Narrow fairways and uneven lies
characterize this stiff challenge, which stretches to
6,679 yards from the tips. If the layout appears to
have utilized the natural surroundings perfectly,
there is a simple reason for that. In 1923 when the
course was built, modern earth-moving machines were
not yet available. The holes were simply placed where
they lay, providing a wonderful, non-artificial feel
to the course itself. A premium is placed on accuracy
and length from the tee. While some courses may demand
placement or distance, the Cascades demands both, as
lengthy drives must find the fairways especially on
the long and demanding par fours. Poor driving renders
low scores impossible. Given the natural layout of the
holes it is safe to assert shotmakers must dip into
their entire bag of tricks. Uphill tee shots, downhill
tee shots, fades, draws, pitches and running shots
will all be needed. The Cascades stream is a perfect
hazard, as it seems to wind through the course in the
most opportune locations. The putting surfaces are not
overly undulating or treacherous, and if you are
mindful to avoid sucker pins can yield birdies.
The first hole sets
the tone for the Cascades. An uphill tee shot must be
kept in the fairway and free of thick rough to have a
short iron to a sloping green and there is no
guarantee the fairway will yield an even lie.
The fourth is a
terrific par three measuring 210 yards and severely
downhill. Two
severely sloped bunkers guard the back left portion of
the green and make for a near impossible recovery.
The only bailout room is short right, but
you’ll have to make a good pitch to a green running
away to save par from there.
This hole befuddles most players the first time
they see it (the combination of thin mountain air and
severe elevation) gauging club selection is at best a
guess, take two clubs less.
The par four
seventh offers a downhill tee shot, which offers a
great view of the valley, and the task at hand.
Though the tee shot is downhill the hole plays
longer then expected, as the hole takes a dramatic
turn straight back up the hill.
With the chance for an even lie a slim
possibility many will face a longer club to reach this
green, if you can get there a birdie is not
unattainable on this relatively subdued green.
The ninth is
another elevated par four, the elevation cuts down
some of the 448 yards out of the hole.
The second shot is a blind one, with a target
board located in a tree behind the green to set up to.
The green is open in front and allows a running
shot into the green, this hole is a perfect example of
golf in a natural setting.
With
no disrespect to the front nine, the course really
comes into its own on the backside.
The par four tenth
is a dogleg right 381-yard hole with a steep drop at
the end of the fairway, leading many to hit a fairway
wood or iron. The
creek protects the green in front along with a number
of bunkers that eliminate the possibility of a run-up
shot. That
none other then Arnold Palmer chose this as one of his
favourite 54 holes in America is testament to the
tricky hole.
The twelfth is a
monstrous 476-yard, albeit downhill par four that once
played as a par five. If your drive is kept in the
fairway kudos to you, if not, feel free to lay up
short of the fairway bunkers as bogey isn’t that bad
here. This
hole is one of the great par fours in America, and
many feel the best on the course (though thirteen is
not far behind.)
The thirteenth is
another long par four, with the ever-present stream
guarding the left side of the hole.
Adding to the challenge of the approach is a
demanding set of greenside bunkers, and the shallow
green can hold only a soft shot.
Sixteen through
eighteen deserve to be included as a group due to
their aesthetic value, level of enjoyment and unique
sequencing. The par 5-5-3 finish is almost guaranteed
not to be replicated by any modern course, yet creates
a charming conclusion.
The par five 16th
once again plays over the creek to a green reachable
in two if a great tee ball is hit.
The drive needs to cut off as much of the
fairway bunker as possible, and a full throttle second
shot would be needed as the pond fronts the green,
with almost no room for error.
A conservative route allows for a short third,
which if put close offers your best bid for birdie.
Another par five
featuring the creek down the entire left side, greets
you on 17. Again a good drive (we told you it was
crucial!) puts you in position to reach the green in
two shots..
The eighteenth is a
stunning, long par three over a valley to a green with
significant slope from back to front.
The bunkers right and left frame the green and
the pond (which is well short of the green) can be
somewhat mesmerizing from the tee.
By aiming for the centre of the green a closing
par is well within reach and those who come seeking
birdies are the ones who get into trouble.
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