Pete Dye River Course of Va. Tech

1t2golf · June 30, 2009

Go Hokies!

Looking for reviews from anyone who has played it recently. Thanks in advance.

Carolina Golfer 2 · September 1, 2009

I also would like to hear from anyone who has played it recently. I'll be down that way next month for a meeting and have the opportunity to go in early. Is it worth arranging the trip to get their a half day earlier to play?

I looked at the website and looks like a dramatic elevation change between the two nines. The website makes it seem very nice, but would like some first hand thoughts.

umassgolfer · September 8, 2009

I have played the river course a few times and it is a lot of fun, but only if you play the right set of tees. I tried to tip it out the first time and found myself with a lot of long irons into Pete Dye greens, so you can guess how that ended up...

Conditioning is usually good, greens were qood but not the best I've ever seen. The two nines are on two separate sides of the "center" of the course. It is linksy in that the course loops out the first few holes, on hole crosses back towards the river and the last few are on the water. The back nine is similar in that regard but the two nines do have pretty different feels. The elevation difference is minimal, the back sits maybe 20 or 30 ft lower than the front.

I don't know if they have built a clubhouse yet but that was the one thing that was less than what I would expect for the greens fees. The layout, condition, pace of play, etc. was all above average imho. Hope this helped.

Carolina Golfer 2 · September 9, 2009

thanks UMASS, that does help. You're right about the right tees and Pete Dye courses, I played one once not from the tips but tees that would be close to what I normally play at home, around 6600 and it sure was a different 6600 than what I was used to.

ggammell · September 9, 2009

I played ther last summer. Most challenging course I've ever played (harder than Whistling Straits). One of the best parts of it is the replay rate, it's close to $25.

fore_life · November 26, 2009

How far of a drive is this from the Roanoke/Martinsville area?

Carolina Golfer 2 · November 27, 2009

[quote name='fore_life' post='2085983' date='Nov 26 2009, 08:44 AM']How far of a drive is this from the Roanoke/Martinsville area?[/quote]
VA Tech campus is a bit less than an hour from Roanoke. Pretty easy drive right down I-81.

TheKickingMule · December 22, 2009

Just so some of you know, it's not exactly on the Tech campus, it's about 20 mins away.... tucked away in an odd area, not far from Radford Army Ammunition. It's about 40 miles from Roanoke. I-81 will get you to Radford/Christiansburg, and then you're pretty close.

The course is very interesting.... I used to live in Christiansburg, so it was my "home" course for a year. At first, it's a bit uncomfortable. Some of the holes are classic Dye, while others feel forced due to land restrictions (geographical and housing developments both squeeze a bit). It's usually in good shape, although at times I'd wished the greens were a bit softer...particularly with some of the long irons going into some crazy a** Dye greens. The course is very "linear".... allows for River views on 14 of the 18 holes, but it also makes you wish they could have spread it out a bit more. The back 9 is alot of fun, with a nice mix of challenge and risk/reward (which should be no surprise... it wouldn't be Dye without a bunch of risk/reward :russian_roulette: ).

All in all, go in expecting to enjoy the views...enjoy the conditions.... but anticipate feeling completely akward on a bunch of the holes. There's a good chance you will not score well your first time there, especially if you take a "go for broke" attitude. That attitude will hand you your a** at this course. Conservative play is highly recommended... or you'll end up with a bruised ego :black eye:

Good luck and enjoy, it's a good deal. Also, for a nice double-dip in the area, check out the underrated Auburn Hills.

chadam44 · January 20, 2011

As a Tech grad and a Tech club team golfer, I can tell you that the Rivercourse is pretty nice but you definitely want to avoid the tips unless you have some serious length off the tee. With the winds being the way they are in Blacksburg/Radford, you need to hit your shots with some penetrating flights to keep them on line (or on the course when playing along the water's edge.) Definitely worth playing though, one of my favorites.

honketyhank · January 20, 2011

Ach -- what happened to the old 9-hole course down past the duck pond?

fore_life · January 20, 2011

I'll be in the TN/VA area for summer break and if I make it to Radford, then Im playing this track. Its been on my to do list for some time now.

jafishe3 · January 20, 2011

It's still there.

[quote name='honketyhank' timestamp='1295571907' post='2911525']
Ach -- what happened to the old 9-hole course down past the duck pond?
[/quote]

oneunderbogey · April 7, 2011

Great course, but make sure you play from tees you are capable from, it is a dye course after all. I played it last week, its in very good shape for this time of year

JJK947 · April 7, 2011

The weather is starting to get pretty nice down here so the course should be in good shape for this time of year as VTgolf said. I haven't played it enough for being a Tech student but it is a great course and very demanding. Plays about 7600-7700 from the tips to put it into perspective.