Blue Ridge Shadows

Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club is near Front Royal, at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley. Tom Clark designed this public course that plays between 5000 – 7300 yards, with five (5) tee boxes.

The course opened in 2007 to numerous awards by Golf Digest, Virginia Golfer Magazine and others. Clark’s design takes advantage of the rolling hills, creeks and ponds on the property. Water comes into play on at least eight holes on the course. He’s also created a double green for Holes 11 & 13.It’s part of the Raspberry Golf Trail with four other Virginia courses and two in Pennsylvania. The fairways are generally wide with thick rough. The greens are large with bunkers protecting them. Clark’s ability to take advantage of the hills and the water really make this course a great experience. Bunker sand is well-groomed and plays well.

You can walk this course, but, expect a work out! The front nine starts across the road from the clubhouse, and rarely do adjacent holes interfere with play. The front nine features gradual hills and occasional residential views (not generally in play). Slight dog-legs, varied green shapes, and well-marked tree lines. There are numerous fairways where the terrain drops significantly off the right or left of the fairway, making it difficult to search for your ball – just give it up! The back nine is more open and features steep elevation changes – especially Hole 10 and 15 from the back tees. Overpowered drives suffer insufferable roughs, wastelands and in some cases penalty areas. While trees showcase the front nine, the back nine is more about water hazard mitigation.

Our favorite holes: No 1 (downhill approach to water guarded green); No 14 (par 5 that rewards a long drive and smart placed second shot); No 15 (Tee box is breath-taking); and the finishing hole No 18 (lofted “lawn dart approach” recommended for the narrow depth green that is wide left to right, crossing a creek)

Make sure you tell Brian Jones, GM that we sent you!