GEORGIA
Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club, Hampton (semiprivate). Opening: November.
Upon returning from some projects in the British Isles, architect Denis Griffiths incorporated
design elements from the Auld Sod, including steep-faced bunkers, into this forested site
south of Atlanta. Fourteen through seventeen is an intriguing mix of long and short, and tight
and wide holes with lakeside views.
Architect: Denis Griffiths. Yardage: 7,226. Par: 72. Greens Fees: $60$75. Tee Times: 770-957-0080,
crystallakecc.com.
NEW YORK
Pine Ridge Golf Club, Coram (public). Opened: October.
Situated near the midpoint of Long Island, this shot maker's course calls for threading the
ball through pine-framed corridors and negotiating immense, subtly breaking greens. A few
holes feature waste bunkers as buffers to the encroaching trees, though there's no such help
on the final two, both of which play alongside two large lakes.
Architects: Ron Forse and Don Bachaus. Yardage: 6,700. Par: 70. Greens Fees: $55 $70. Tee
Times: pineridgegc.com.
VIRGINIA
Laurel Hill Golf Club, Lorton (semiprivate). Opened:
October 15.
Despite being part of a redevelopment plan for the D.C. Correctional Complex that also calls
for an arts center, museum, school, equestrian facility and ball fields, Fairfax County's
crown jewel of a course will have an isolated feel. The holes are cleverly routed through
stands of mature trees, over tributaries of Giles Run and, just to keep you honest, past the
old guard towers.
Architect: Bill Love. Yardage: 7,010. Par: 71. Greens Fees: $49$69. Tee Times: 703-493-8849,
fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
INTERNATIONAL
Cayman Islands
Blue Tip at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman (resort). Opening:
January.
Rather than shoehorn eighteen holes into 120 acres, Greg Norman designed just nine here. The
Caribbean island's third course to feature standard-length holes, Blue Tip begins with a 450-yard
par four into the trade winds and ends with a spectacular island-green par three.
Architect: Greg Norman. Yardage: 3,500. Par: 36. Greens Fee: $175 (18 holes). Tee Times: 345-943-9000,
ritzcarlton.com.
