Earlier this year, I saw “Temporarily Closed” on the Swannanoa Golf Course web-site. That’s not a good sign. I was worried that the course had closed for good. Then, for the past month or more I have called them and no response. Finally, I asked a friend, a fellow golfer, and he said they were open. So on his word, I took my granddaughter Berkley to the top of Afton mountain to play her first real round of golf. They were indeed open, and we had a great time. The highlight of our round was when she hit two consecutive 150 yard drives off the number 6 tee. We won’t discuss the number of whiffs she made. Let’s just call them practice swings.
I chose Swannanoa to take my 14-year old golfing because it’s usually not crowded and very laid back. I told the pair behind us when they got close, to just play through. I think we let three groups play through. And that way we weren’t rushed or pressured. I wish that more people with youngsters and beginning players would be as thoughtful. Some, I think, just have no clue. That’s why we need a golf marshal at every course, all the time.
The little mountain course was in pretty decent shape, considering. The greens were all in good condition, but small and slow as they always are. The rough was non-existent, which is okay by me.
Swannanoa is not difficult. In fact, it’s pretty easy. It’s short – 5,170 from the white tees. It’s mostly wide open, but clearly a mountain course with lots of uphill and side hill lies. There are certain holes – number 6 comes to mind – where no matter where or what you hit, you’ll end up on the right side of the fairway, if not down in Waynesboro.
Swannanoa is one of the most scenic golf venues anywhere. Every golfer in Central Virginia should play Swannanoa at least once a year, just for fun. For tee times, call 540-943-8864, but bring cash, they do not accept credit cards.
Berkley had a great time, especially driving the cart. That was her favorite part of golf.
We also tried to catch a frog for my pond on number 9, but the frogs had us figured out – must have been 50 frogs in that pond not 20 yards wide – and they are all still there. They all spooked at the same time when they saw me sneaking in with a long net. I did find a couple balls, though. So not all was lost.
Yes, Swannanoa is open.