I received and published today a comment from one of our readers, Vic, praising the Rock Harbor Golf Club in Winchester, VA, adjacent to Interstate 81. Even though I had not played the course, I mentioned Rock Harbor last September in an article about a local bed and breakfast place.
Here are Vic's comments in full, which have also been posted with the original article:
"Rock Harbor is possibly the most beautiful course I have ever played, bar none. Hat's off to Mr. Denny Perry and his vision. The ee boxes are in better condition than most of the greens on most courses and the landscaping is simply incredible. I drove 180 miles round trip to play this course when I lived in Fredericksbug, and since I moved to Florida two years ago, I have made the trip 3 times. I can't say enough good about this course. Keep up the great work, Mr. Perry."
Here is what I wrote last September as an add on to my review of the Long Hill B&B in Winchester:
"The closest course is Rock Harbor, just a few miles away from Long Hill. The 18-hole course was
designed and built by Denny Perry, a local paving company owner, who
draws water from his adjacent quarry to keep the Bentgrass greens and
fairways in nice shape. The course is a little weird in that it throws
two par 3s in a row at you on the back nine, but such idiosyncrasies
can have a rough charm to them when the course designer is a neophyte.
Compensating touches are two 600-yard plus par 5s with water that runs
the length of the fairways to the green, an island green on a short par
3, and the customary off-the-beaten-track green fees of less than $50
on weekdays (slightly more on weekends). Rating and slope are 72.1
and 127, respectively, from the tees at 6,700 yards. Rock Harbor's web
site has a nice tour of the course with advice from pro Jerry Wampler
on how to play it.
Rock Harbor Golf Club, 365 Rock Harbor Drive, Winchester, VA. (540) 722-7111. Web site: www.RockHarborGolf.com"
Winchester is on my way south to visit my son at college, and you can bet I will put it on our list to play soon. Look for a review and photos in the coming months. Thanks, Vic, for your comments.