Ballyhack Golf Club – a brand new, Scottish links style course located in the Mount Pleasant area of Roanoke County – opened its doors last month in hopes of becoming one of the nation’s top golf destinations.
As a private destination golf course, Ballyhack hopes to secure approximately 300 memberships over the next few years, only 60 of which will be extended to individuals and businesses in Roanoke. The others will be set aside for corporate executives, business owners, and celebrities from throughout the country.
The 190-acre, par-72 course was constructed by renowned golf architect Lester George. It features a 20,000 square foot green on the 18th hole, as well as other drastic elevation changes, fairways as wide as 150 yards and wispy, “native grass,” reminiscent of a Scottish highland design.
“It really is a unique, European design, a links course in the truest sense of the word,” said Jonathan Ireland, Director of Golf Operations and former Head Professional at Roanoke Country Club.
When describing the course, Ireland referenced the Aisla Course at Turnberry, site of this past weekend’s British Open, won by Stewart Cink.
Besides George, the ownership group at Ballyhack, which provided the bulk of the $13 million needed to finance to course, includes Bill Kulby, the CEO of Landscapes Unlimited, and Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer. Kulby is also an ownership partner in two other prestigious golf courses – Sand Hills Golf Course in Mullen, Nebraska, which is heralded as the “Best Modern Day Golf Course,” by Golfweek, and Sutton Bay Golf Course, which was awarded “Best New Private Golf Course” by Golf Digest.
“The club should be great exposure for the Roanoke area,” Ireland said, noting that major markets such as Charlotte, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. are only hours away.
Membership fees will range from $40,000 to $130,000, depending on the type purchased and the member’s location. With the high price tag, members will certainly enjoy their share of perks.
For example, traditional tee-times will not be a concern at Ballyhack. “I would say a ‘busy’ day would consist of 25-30 rounds,” Ireland said. “More often than not, our members will probably feel like they have the whole course to themselves.”
In addition, out-of-town guests will have the option of renting one of 15 4-bedroom cottages located at the club, according to Ireland.
For more information, visit www.ballyhackgolfclub.com, or call 540-427-1395.
By Matt Reeve [email protected]
