Sometimes, this can happen with the creation of the course, itself. I saw a great example of this recently when I was asked to view the new golf course at Front Royal, Virginia – Blue Ridge Shadows. Thoughts and actions merged within a collaborative partnership to form something that surprised me – a beauty of a course!

Everything starts with an idea or vision of what is needed and then you add capability into the mix and things get promising. That vision was supplied by the owners of this golf course development – Rick Magalis and John Hopkins. I had a chance to talk with both men and immediately sensed a closeness of mind and determination to build a first-rate golf property on the spectacular land in that area. When they added noted architect Tom Clark, that vision began to take form in the town.

Magalis and Hopkins knew they had something special and planned on creating an integrated community, centered around a golf lifestyle. There will be homes there, a hotel with a spa, conference center and marvelous views of the course, upscale shopping and a number of other special touches to totally change the town. Despite the fact that 9/11 changed everyone’s world, these men forged ahead with their plans and, with the cooperation of the Warren County government and the Commonwealth of Virginia, approval for the construction was given.

That’s when Tom Clark of Ault/Clark stepped into the picture. Clark is an insightful man who knows that hard work and determination can yield results and his design for the land was nothing short of perfect. Blue Ridge Shadows promises to be the "must-play" course of the entire area when it opens this fall for limited play. The full-time opening won’t be until the spring of next year but, if you love course design, you’ll want to get out there to see what Clark has created. For their introductory period, the course will be open for play on Fridays and weekends. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of this opening period!

Here’s what you will find. This course is simply a startling collection of holes. Some have an epic drop from tee to fairway and things like water and environmental areas to make you think twice about the shot you will play.
Nos. 10 and 15 are just two of the holes that catch your attention real quickly. You seem to be hitting off a tall building out into space – to a fairway far below. And no. 14 is already one of my favorite par 3s in the region. You tee off a little uphill over a severely sloped "V-shaped" fairway that punishes anything short. Make sure you’re certain of the yardage on this one because you just don’t want the sidehill shot. This course has a distinctive character involving those slopes. From the opening hole, you feel the nearby mountains watching your game, assessing your capabilities as a golfer.

And some holes just challenge you with their distance. From the back, Blue Ridge Shadows plays to just over 7,300 yards but is a little under 5,000 from the red tees – all the challenge and playability you want to have! On the front nine, the two par 3s play 248 and 234 yards from the tips, respectively. Think wind and put this in your cap – these two are easier than the two par 3s on the back!