Field Notes: Virginia Oaks

Virginia Oaks in Gainesville, Va., is an upper-middle course in Greater Washington terms--a cut above the Brambletons and Algonkians of the world, even though it snakes through a high-end housing development, but not up to the crazed heights of a Renditions or Raspberry Falls. In sections it's exceptionally hilly, and most recreational golfers will want to ride even when carts are not required (weekends before 2 p.m.). Don't be fooled by the first hole, a par 4 whose pan is mainly level and looks a bit cramped, snaking just enough around the left to obscure a clear view of the green from the tee. Yes, there are some blind shots throughout the 18 holes, but not to an extreme degree (and I hate blind shots). Virginia Oaks has some beautiful vistas including glimpses of Lake Manassas and the gazillionaire's Robert Trent Jones course. Some of the fairways are rippled with moguls and the greens are varied, devilish, and completely fair. The course was in terrific shape the day I played except for some irrigation or drainage work on the last third of the 18th fairway. Naturally this was the only hole where I managed par. A fairway hit, a green in regulation, two putts---who knew.

The photo does not convey the full terror of the par-5 10th, which starts with a blind shot over a dramatic sloping, curving fairway--I snapped it with the tee well behind me, recovering from the shock of having found my ball exactly where I aimed it. The "S" formed by this hole snakes uphill to the left toward the green. It's a roller-coaster ride, but it's also the kind of hole that makes a lot more sense the second time you play it.

My round made more sense the second nine that I played--and as I said above, I finally found a par. I use FairwayFiles.com for the stats.