Text and Photos by Jeffrey A. Rendall

(Ed: note: Our congratulations to Cristie Kerr, who beat fellow former champion Suzann Pettersen on the second playoff hole to win the 2013 Kingsmill Championship.)

WILLIAMSBURG, VA – First the PGA left, then the LPGA. When the ladies packed up for what seemed like the final time in 2009, many wondered whether the famous Kingsmill River Course would ever host another professional championship.

The area certainly missed the exposure that a professional tournament brings, as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier golf destinations no longer enjoyed an annual presence in front of the TV cameras. Folks in the region still knew that Williamsburg was there, of course, but it never hurts to have a local links receive a little national (and international) exposure to bring prestige to the area.

That’s why last year’s announcement that the LPGA was heading back to Kingsmill was greeted with such relief. The lady professionals teed it up on the River Course last September, and have returned to once again take on Pete Dye’s layout aside the fabled James River, just a few miles downstream from historic Jamestown Island.

The 2012 version of the Kingsmill Championship was one for the record books – literally – as Jiyai Shin outlasted Paula Creamer in an LPGA record nine-hole playoff that took place over two days. The players trod the 18th hole eight times after finishing up tied after 72 holes, with each making par on each extra hole. Darkness forced Shin and Creamer to return the next day, where the marathon contest ended on the par four sixteenth hole.

This year’s field includes a who’s who of LPGA players, including Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis and of course, Creamer and Shin. Players who will be there this year (who skipped last September’s event) include Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng, Karrie Webb, and Se Ri Pak.

Needless to say, the 6,370-yard, par 71 River Course will provide a spectacular backdrop for the Kingsmill Championship (purse $1.3 million). The PGA left over a decade ago because the layout became too short for the men – but it still sets up nicely for the lady pros. Past champions include Se Ri Pak, Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb, Suzann Petterson and Annika Sorenstam.

Here are some of the views from the famous River Course, which resort guests can play throughout the year:

Pete Dye usually eases you into a round, and the relatively short (373 yards for the LPGA) par four 1st hole on the River Course is no exception.

The short par five 3rd hole (485 yards) presents a multitude of options for the second shot. If you go for the green, you will need to be accurate.

This late summer view of the par three 5th hole is slightly different than the lady pros will see in early May, but it is still beautiful.

The par four 8th hole is challenging on both the tee and approach shots - and the green is no picnic either.

The wide open par four 9th hole requires more precise shot-making than you would think.

Any shot short of the green on the par four 12th hole will roll back down the slope, leaving a very difficult chip to get up-and-down.

The scenery surrounding the tee of the par three 13th hole is so tranquil, you almost want to stay there.

Looking from behind the green of the interesting and challenging par five 15th hole.

The par four 16th hole is one that was significantly altered in recent times by Pete Dye.

The tricky par three 17th hole has often figured into the outcomes of professional championships at Kingsmill.