Victoria National Golf Club

Fazio said when he began trying to whittle down the routing for the Dormie Network’s crown jewel that he found 1,000 good golf holes on the property, which was an abandoned strip mine. The challenge, he said, was narrowing it down to the 18 best.

When you ask anyone that has played Vic about it, you will no doubt be told to pack extra golf balls. Will you lose more golf balls than at most places? Yes. Do you need to bring two extra dozen? No. You can overcome the intimidation the course provides by making sound decisions. Don’t blindly pull driver on every tee box and you can manage a score. There are several opportunities to hit a 210-yard tee shot and still have less than 140 yards in. Play the percentages.

The par 3s are special. The 16th is no doubt the signature hole, and deservedly so. But, the fifth plays over water and is one of the most exposed greens on the property, bringing wind into consideration. No. 7 resembles something out of Ireland, nestled amongst dunes, including a ball-devouring towering mound on the left. No. 11 demands another carry over water.

Other than No. 6, the par 4s aren’t overly long before entering The Gauntlet. Until then, if you think your way into getting yourself to a manageable approach shot yardage that is comfortable, you can make pars. Good iron shots can sneak away with a birdie. The par 4s wreak havoc when players try to hit the max off the tee, which requires lines that bring trouble into play.

The Gauntlet is five thrill-ride holes that offer no place to catch your breath. The long par-4 14th requires a precise drive to avoid trees on the right and a long waste bunker on the left. The second shot will be anywhere from 185-220 yards and if the pin is on the left half of the elevated green, it is all carry over thick rough. No. 15 is a par 5 that tempts you to aim for the corner of the dogleg. But a deep, splash-it-out bunker awaits. Hit that and bogey becomes about the best you can do without good fortune. Miss the fairway left or right in dense woods and double bogey is lurking. Great risk reward hole if you can find the speed slot off the tee. Birdie is likely if you can carry the hazard with your second and find the green or the healthy, closely-mown bailout area to the right.

The 16th is just pure terror if you have any kind of round going. It can be a card-wrecker, as the green looks like a thimble and water surrounds it. Par here is an admirable score. Nos. 17 and 18 are similar - long, dogleg right par 4s with water awaiting a slice. However, 18 separates itself by placing two bunkers on the outside of the elbow of the fairway in the landing area. Fazio demands that you take on the tee shot. Missing it means you will likely make bogey or worse. The gravity of that tee shot is something I haven’t experienced very often elsewhere.

Played 72 holes in two days the week after the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and conditions were impeccable. The Kentucky Bluegrass rough was lush, and the greens were smooth and quick (though I was told by a member that they have had so much rain that they are still wet and slower than normal). That’s scary.

Practice areas are immaculate. The service is impeccable. The staff goes out of its’ way to attend to every need, large or small.

This was the first time I've played Victoria, but everyone I spoke to who had played it previously emphasized the importance of getting off the tee - boy were they right. The fairways are wide, but if you miss them, you're toast. There is very little rough between the fairway and the native grass and if you're lucky enough to find your ball in the native grass (which I was on 2 occasions) it is strictly a hack job. This area of the country has not gotten any rain in about 2 months (not an exaggeration), but you would never know it. The fairways were lush and pure and what little rough there was was long and thick. The greens were okay. You could tell the staff was trying to preserve them as best they could, but when it's 96 degrees on October 1st and it hasn't rained in months, they staff can only do so much. I have played several different "tour level" courses and this one easily ranks up there with all of them. If they really wanted to, this could place could host a tour event no question. If you get a chance to play here, take advantage, but be sure to have your driver/fairway wood in check.

I had the opportunity to play this beautiful brute on a recent business trip. It is first class all the way. Once you enter the private drive you know you are in a special place. The food was great at the clubhouse for both breakfast and lunch. And the extra personal touches like having your name on your guest locker and on the back of your caddy’s bib really make you feel special.
Now to the golf - this is the toughest course I have ever seen let alone played. You have hit fairways and greens or you will be penalized. I would not recommend anyone over a 16 handicap give it a go or they might be in for a long day. I didn’t have my A game the day I played and I felt a bit defeated as I left. I thought to myself as I drove home that I probably wouldn’t be back to try it again despite what a beautiful course it was but in the days since I played I have had a change of heart. I can’t wait to challenge Vicky again and the next time I will be ready. And while she may not be defeated I can’t wait to get my licks in.

Was in Golf Digest Top 100 when built. Host of several PGA events. Built over a reclaimed strip mine property with lots of water and trouble to negotiate.Heated and cooled greens. Bent Grass fairways. No 2 holes run together so it's a secluded walk or ride in natural beauty. It's a tough course, so bring you A game and extra golf balls!