Last Wednesday a week ago, it was 94 degrees in Charlottesville. On Afton mountain, it was 83 and that’s where my three golf amigos and I teed it up. We played Swanannoa Country Club. We had a fun round and stayed cool.
I’ve played much nicer golf courses than Swannanoa Country Club on Afton Mountain, but I don’t think I have played any more enjoyable courses. Swannanoa is an easy layout, the scenery is magnificent and the cool, mountain air is most agreeable.
For the past 15 years, I have made it a point to visit Swannanoa at least once a year. It is not a great course, but it’s a great place to be. On certain holes, you can see as far west as the Allegheny’s in West Virginia, south across the Blue Ridge and east to the Southwest Mountains in Albemarle – all at the same time.
Officially called Swannanoa Country Club, it’s hardly a country club. Don’t go to Swannanoa if you are expecting manicured fairways and personal towels in the clubhouse locker room. There isn’t a clubhouse locker room, but they serve up a mean hot dog at their grill.
Swannanoa is not a pretentious golf course. It is very laid back, it’s inexpensive, it’s rarely crowded and it’s just plain fun.
94-year old Pete Lang, PGA Golf Professional, owns Swannanoa. Pete, by now, is somewhat set in his ways. His is the only golf course I’ve ever heard of that doesn’t take credit cards. But he’ll take a personal or company checks, no problem.
Swannanoa is not difficult. In fact, it’s pretty easy. It’s short – 5,170 from the white tees – and the rough is practically non-existent. 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. The greens are small, but decent, about what you would expect on a public course.
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 and leave your credit cards at home.
