What To Expect From Royal New Kent And Stonehouse Courses

Although the sister courses of Royal New Kent and Stonehouse are only a 15 minutes-drive apart, they are actually miles apart in terms of character, personality and what a golfer should expect to experience. The twin courses are actually very different from each other. Royal New Kent is set upon the low hills between Diascund Creek and Chickahominy River, between Williamsburg and Richmond, Virginia. When the Royal New Kent opened in 1997, it was named the "Best New Upscale Public Course in the Nation" by Golf Digest magazine. In 1999 Golf Digest named it one of "America's top 100 greatest golf courses." Royal New Kent is 7,372 yards of windswept, rugged but beautiful landscape. This course has been referred to as "the truest representation of an Irish links in America." The contoured fairways demand a few blind shots that should add to the fun and uniqueness of the whole experience. The Par 72 design of the golf course features over bunkers, many of which are deep and lined with grass. The greens have bold ridges and each offers a couple of different playing options. To match the high standards set by course the Royal New Kent also offers first-rate conveniences to golfers and their guests like a full service bar, dining rooms, conference facilities, practice facilities and a pro shop. The Stonehouse course was opened in the spring of 1996 and has been ranked the sixth best course in the state of Virginia by Golf Digest. This course also received Golf Digest's "Best New Upscale Course" award in 1996, the year before sister course Royal New Kent won the same award. Although the two courses are located just 15 minutes apart on a stretch of Interstate 64 between Richmond and Williamsburg, the twin courses are oceans apart. Stonehouse is really a mountain-style course that does not disrupt any of the natural landscape. Playing at the course one cannot help but feel the extraordinary atmosphere of the place that has only gone to fuel the numerous rumors about the property's past. They range from fantastic tales about the infamous pirate Blackbeard burying his treasures somewhere right in the middle of where the course stands today to more believable tales that say Virginia folk hero Nathaniel Bacon used Stonehouse as his hideout. Still, no rumor can take away from Stonehouse, it's very special appeal and unique features that are bound to be enjoyed by any golfer.