By Jeffrey A. Rendall, Photos by Joe McHatton and Brad Cheney.

Note *** Brad Cheney re-visited the course in May of 2006, and offers his ‘Second Opinion’ at the end of this article.

STAFFORD, VA -- Augustine Golf Club’s named after a Washington.

No, it's not named after George, and it's not coined after the Nation’s Capital that's about 45 minutes north up I-95.  It's not even named after the State of Washington.  It gets its name from the father of the father of our country.

From in back of the 1st green, you'll see the split fairway and elevated tees. Quite a view.

Confused?

It's a good thing that the golf course itself isn't that perplexing.  Augustine Golf Club is a Rick Jacobson (formerly of Nicklaus Design Associates) design, and features all the characteristics that his work is known for -- fair challenge, aesthetic beauty and most of all, playability. 

Opening in 1995, the beautiful Augustine golf course and housing development is given much credit for leading the upscale public golf course construction boom in the Washington, D.C. area that continues to this day -- to the delight of area golfers.  The proximity of the track to the Capital metro area, combined with its serene parkland setting, guarantees that most local golfers put the course high up on their 'must play' list.

The land that Augustine Golf Club occupies was once part of the estate of George Washington's father, Augustine.  Hence, the developers decided to make a permanent tribute to the man who served as a ‘role model’ to George.  The analogy might be a bit stretched, but Augustine Golf Club could easily serve as a ‘model’ on how to make a public golf facility work.  The course plays to 6817 yards from the back tees, and a par of 71.

Augustine's par threes are a classic Virginia set -- water, wetlands and woodlands. Here, the 174 yard 17th hole.

Bob Foster, Augustine's Head Pro, puts it succinctly -- "We've got one of the best layouts on the east coast.  It's almost always in great shape; our service is in top form; the course is challenging, but fair.  We want to make sure that every golfer's trip here is the best day that we can provide."

The layout is sneaky challenging.  Jacobson's done a masterful job on framing the holes -- and placed alongside his other major Northern Virginia work, Bull Run Country Club (in Haymarket), confirms that he has an extremely keen eye for the way a golf hole should be laid out.  A photographer should do so well with a set of proofs.

Foster describes the difficulty:  “I think overall, the golf course is incredibly fair – every hole just seems to fit the land so well, and best of all, you can see the shot you have to hit.  But I see the challenge as two-fold – first, you’ve got to drive the golf ball well.  Next, you’ve got put it in the right place on the greens.”

“The putting surfaces are fairly undulated, so from a player’s standpoint, you need to stay in play off the tee so you can control where you’ll place your approach shots – otherwise you’ll be on the wrong tier or on the wrong side of the hole,” Foster added.

Visibility's the rule at Augustine Golf Club -- the uphill, left to right par four 7th hole strongly suggests a fade off the tee.

As Foster alluded to above, the course fits extremely well, quite the masterful framing job from Rick Jacobson.  Making Jacobson's framing task more difficult was the nature of the ground.  As is true for almost every course in the area, there’s serious topographical variation.  A fancy way of saying -- it's hilly, man. 

There just aren't many flat pieces of ground to work with.  And although it can be said that golf architects move the earth to shape a course -- the best ones take what they're given and use it to provide contrast and variation.  That's exactly what Jacobson's done with Augustine.

And again, as mentioned above, the course features excellent shot visibility.  Foster elaborates:  “Every hole out there, you can stand on the tee and understand how the hole should be played – there aren’t any hidden agendas out there.  And even though you need to drive it well here, there’s plenty of room to play to.  There also aren’t many forced carries, and you can bounce the ball up to most of the greens.”

The course actually plays shorter than the listed yardage, but doesn't play easier.  Most of the tees are elevated, and there are only two par fours over 440 yards (including the 12th, at 441 yards) from the back tees.  The fairways are certainly not skinny, and the forest really shouldn't come into play unless you miss one badly (as Foster hinted at).

The tough par four 2nd hole will challenge you with water on your tee and approach shots -- but you'll know exactly what you're supposed to do on each.

This being said, Augustine’s difficulty lies in the placement of the hazards and through creative bunkering.  Streams, ponds or wetlands intrude on numerous holes, and ensure that you're honest when taking shots at the layout.  Though hardly a target course, proper placement on drives and approaches is essential to shoot low.  The greens are small and mildly undulating, but are pretty quick.  Every part of the short game is put under the microscope.  Better hope that doesn't reveal too much.

There are a few holes where you can't see the flag from the tee, but there are no blind tee shots.  Every driving hole can use good distance.  Jacobson's courses allow you to bring your driver, and use it.  If the designer had anything to say about it, Callaway would never want for sales.

As a final note before describing some of the highlight holes, Augustine’s management is making it easier for players in yet another way.  Ever since opening, the club’s policy has been to keep the golf carts on the paths.  Nine years and many consumer requests later, they’ve decided to allow the carts on the fairways for the first time.  Members and daily fee players may also walk the course, which is fairly walking-friendly despite its undulations (daily fee players are restricted on weekends before noon).

While Jacobson allows you to rip the big dog from your bag fourteen times a round, he'll make you drive it straight, or pay the price.  Hole #1 is a perfect example of the test.  411 yards from the back, the elevated tee shows a split fairway -- presenting the option of how to approach the green.  Dead center is taken away by a wetlands area.  The easiest approach to the green is through the left side of the 'Y,' but the landing area is fairly narrow.  The right side is a little wider and allows for more error, but will leave a short to medium iron for the second over the wetlands area and a bunker in the front right.

The 18th hole is a fairly tame par five -- reachable in two for mid to long hitters. A great way to end the round.

The second hole is probably Augustine's signature hole (there are five or six outstanding potential choices).  It's a 456 yard par four.  Like #1, it requires a drive from an elevated tee to a fairway protected by water all the way down the left side, and a steep embankment to the right.  Jacobson lets you drive it, but you'll have to determine from the tee how much distance you'll want to cut off from the second shot into a relatively small green.  It calls for a steady nerve and sweatless palms to execute the shot.

The sixth hole is a stunning par three.  195 yards from the back, it often plays into the teeth of the prevailing breeze.  You'll have to hit over water, but the lake's more for scare than for real.  There's enough room to miss left with a bunker, short, and right to make this a memorable hole for beauty and not for the beast.  Make no mistake, par's still an excellent score, but the hole looks harder than it is.

The back nine is less open than the front, and the trees seem to nestle more tightly against the fairways.  The twelfth hole is the course's #2 handicap hole (the second is #1), but I'd say it's the toughest on the course.  Measuring 441 yards from the tips, the tee shot is uphill to a plateau fairway, guarded by bunkers on the right.  If you don't get enough distance, you won't be able to see the second shot -- which calls for a long iron into an elevated green.  If you're to the right or short off the drive, even a layup shot must contend with a stream that bisects the fairway.  Be glad when this one's over and move on.

Jacobson gives you somewhat of a break with the fifteenth hole.  Uphill and 305 yards from the back, it's not realistically driveable for 99% of us.  But there's a big enough landing area to still use the driver comfortably, which will leave only a half sand wedge or variations of it into the green.  There are two bunkers protecting the front right which could come into play if the pin is tucked in that region, and the green isn't very wide.  But take advantage of this scoring opportunity when you get it.

Looking towards the green on the 10th hole, you'll see how Jacobson's hole framing is near perfection.

The round concludes with an uphill par five, reachable in two at 501 yards.  You will have to have a strong tee shot in order to have a go at it -- and there's a large bunker guarding the front center of the putting surface -- and also one center-long.  The green here is large for a par five, but its undulation will keep you honest.  Even if your second shot makes the green, you still may be looking at par unless you're in the same vicinity of the flag.  A fun hole to finish up the round.

The final hole typifies the experience at Augustine Golf Club.  First, it's fun.  Second, it's creative, and provides choices.  Third, play it aggressively, and you can make a birdie.  Fourth, misplay it and you'll find a double on your card.  Lastly, there's nothing confusing about it.  Challenging but fair.  A role model for a golf round.  And just as Augustine Washington was a model for George, Augustine Golf Club's a model for public golf.

‘Second Opinions’ by Brad Cheney.  May, 2006

Augustine’s Course design and difficulty

Close runner-up for signature hole honors is the par three 6th hole. Looks like there's a lot of water, but it doesn't really influence play that much.

It’s no wonder why Augustine has been rated one of the top public courses in the Washington area.  Each hole is truly a masterpiece – unique in its design and carved from the land in a beautiful manner.  While not tremendously long (6800 yards from the tips) this heavily wooded and hilly course puts a premium on accuracy off the tee.   If your driver tends to spray all over the course, come prepared with a large supply of balls or leave the big stick in the bag.  Each hole provides a unique challenge off the tee, but it is clear where to place the ball to succeed.   

The real challenge of Augustine lies around the greens.  Accurate iron play is a must on this course.   The heavily guarded postage stamp greens challenge the most accurate iron player.   Stray shots around the greens will be greeted with difficult uphill, downhill or side-hill lies and challenging sand shots. 

In addition, reaching a green in regulation does not guarantee a par.  While not tremendously fast, the greens prove challenging with their small size, difficult pin placements and undulations.  

Course Conditions:

The 406 Yard Par 4 9th hole requires a tee shot to a slightly elevated landing area. When the pin placement is on the right side, this hole allows for a run up shot onto the green. Photo by Brad Cheney.

Augustine has earned a reputation as one of the finest conditioned courses in the Washington area, and the fairways and rough did not disappoint during our visit (May of 2006).   The lush fairways allowed a lot of roll and almost always provided an excellent lie.  Balls near the edge of fairways would funnel back into play, rather than into fairway bunkers and the rough.  While the rough is thick, balls usually sat up, so it’s not impossible to hit out of the longer grass.

Given the superb design and layout, the greens on the front nine are still recovering from the spring aeration a few weeks prior and were slightly disappointing – if only in comparison to the rest of this beautiful course.   However, once they fully recover, they should be in great shape. 

In some spots, the bunkers are hard underneath the initial inch of sand, making shots out of the beach inconsistent.   Head PGA Pro Jeff Meidinger said they’re currently in the process of renovating the bunkers and expects them to be in excellent shape by next season.

Staff and Facilities

The 441 Par 4 12th features a dogleg left and an elevated fairway. The second shot is into a downhill green that features a ridge directly in the middle, making the approach to the correct part of the green critical. Photo by Brad Cheney.

From the moment you arrive at the bag drop to the time you close your trunk and depart for the day, the Augustine staff is professional, attentive, courteous and helpful.   Augustine truly delivers the “Country Club for a day” experience.   Bags are placed on the carts, the starter announces the next foursome up when you are on the range, the beverage carts come through frequently and the course marshals are friendly, even when they’re asking you to pick up the pace.

Augustine also boasts excellent practice facilities.  The driving range (mats on weekdays, turf on the weekends) has numerous targets to aim for – and the club provides a practice bunker and a large green for chipping and putting.  

Augustine has a large pro-shop with a helpful and friendly staff and an ample selection of apparel and equipment.   The clubhouse includes a locker room (with shower), a snack bar (conveniently located outside, on the way to the 10th tee) and a beautiful full service restaurant and bar that overlooks the 18th green.  The club is more than prepared to host your next outing, whatever the size of the group.   

Augustine’s staff of professionals offers lessons for golfers of all skill levels, complete with video taping.   Jeff Meidinger noted that the club places strong emphasis on programs for beginning golfers.   Their affordably priced “Newcomers to Golf Series” consists of five one-hour lessons that focus on the fundamentals of golf and the rules and etiquette of the game. 

The straightforward 433 par 4 13th features a downhill tee shot to a wide fairway. The second shot, over a nature area, is into a green protected on the right and left by sand. Photo by Brad Cheney.

One final note, the carts are equipped with a great awning system on the back to protect clubs from rain.   Given the showers that we encountered during our round, this is a great feature.

Closing thoughts

Augustine’s rates range from $42-$69, depending on the day and time of play.   Carts and range balls are included in the cost of the round.  The course is cart path only on weekdays and walking is permitted at any time.

For the quality of design, service and conditioning, Augustine is well worth the trip down I-95 to play.   You would be hard pressed to find a nicer course for the price in the DC area and it compares favorably with other public courses costing $20 or $30 more.

Note:  Check out the links below for information on several courses in the Fredericksburg area.