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More on the Architecture of The Olde Farm…
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Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features more on the architecture of The Olde Farm. Written by Eric Spurlock of Landscape Supply.
Recently, I had the opportunity to play a bucket-list golf course: The Olde Farm in Bristol, Virginia. For the past 15 years, I have worked alongside the golf course superintendents and managers and have toured the property countless times. What made this visit especially meaningful was finally experiencing what is known as “The Olde Farm experience” across the cattle guards.
The experience begins with a simple yet elegant Clubhouse that complements the setting rather than competing with it. Perched atop a hill, the clubhouse offers sweeping views of the property. Your eye naturally finds No. 12 and the Orchard Course to the left, while Nos. 1, 11, 10 and 9, along with the Party Barn, frame the foreground and right side of the view.
The playability and presentation of the golf course, under the direction of Corey Landon and his team, are among the best in the Mid-Atlantic. The course is conditioned in a way that allows the ground game to play a significant role in how shots are approached and executed. Firm, fast fairways are complemented by approaches and “roll-off” areas that are even firmer. Depending on your game, that can turn a well-played shot into a fun and exciting par—or just as easily into a bogey.
Approach shots vary dramatically throughout the course, with uphill, downhill and even blind shots, along with slopes that move in virtually every direction. Yet nothing feels forced or abrupt. The transitions from the fairways and approaches into the greens and green surrounds are seamless, with the tie-ins extending well beyond the putting surfaces and creating a natural continuity throughout the course.
The name The Olde Farm is a reflection of the property’s roots as a working farm, and many of those elements remain woven into the experience. The Long Barn has been beautifully refurbished and now serves as a player comfort station. As you progress through the round, you pass by the garden, which provides seasonal produce for the club’s renowned dining program. In the distance, the third hay baling of the season was well underway—a subtle reminder that, despite the exceptional golf course and amenities, the property remains very much connected to its agricultural roots.
That combination is what makes The Olde Farm unique. It is an exceptional golf course, but the experience extends well beyond golf. From the moment you cross the cattle guards, the property, the golf course, the conditioning and the history all work together to create something that feels genuinely special.
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