Rees Jones, Inc.

Golf Course Design & Architecture

Rees Jones, Inc.
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold Course)
Williamsburg, Virginia
Image: Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold Course)
Course Type
Resort
Design Role
Renovation
(1998, 2016-2017)
Co-Designer
Greg Muirhead

Client Course Description

Opened in 1963 and the work of Robert Trent Jones Sr., who called it his “finest design,” this is one of the best examples of traditional golf course architecture in the world.

Renovated by Rees Jones and Greg Muirhead, the Gold Course carries the design philosophy of creator Robert Trent Jones Sr. forward for today’s golfer. The Gold Course now features the latest in modern turf grasses, new grass on the fairways, greens, and surrounding roughs, and utilizes “Better Billy Bunker” construction to improve the drainage, look, and playability of bunkers.

Tees have been re-leveled, resurfaced, and reimagined, and the expansion of the practice putting green and range gives golfers plenty of opportunity to work on their long and short games. Each of the Gold Course’s four par 3’s presents a visually exciting challenge, and is uniquely memorable in its own right. Even if you’ve played Gold before, you’ll find a few new surprises with the evolution of this timeless classic.

Designer Notes

In 1998, we implemented a complete renovation of one of Robert Trent Jones’ favorite designs. All greens, tees, and bunkers were rebuilt; several fairways were regraded and numerous championship tees were added. The four par 3’s on this course are regarded as one of the best collections of par 3’s in golf.

In May 2016, we upgraded the golf course including, the reconstruction of all bunkers (using the Better Billy Bunker system), the addition of nine forward tees, re-leveled all remaining tees, reconstructed four green complexes and resurfaced all remaining greens. We did a substantial expansion of the practice putting green, created a Short Game Practice Area, and added target greens on the practice range, fairways grading & the installation of additional drainage infrastructure. The entire golf course was re-grassed, featuring Northbridge bermuda on the tees and fairways, 419 bermuda in the roughs and “Pure Distinction” bent grass on the greens. The course reopened in 2017.

Course Photos

Site Visit Photos

Tournaments

Tournament Year(s)
NCAA Division 1 Men's Championship 2007

Awards

Award Publication
Top 100 Resorts in North America (2019-2020) Golf Magazine
4th in Virginia, Best Courses You Can Play Golfweek
America's 100 Greatest Public Courses Golf Digest
Top 100 Courses You Can Play Golf Magazine
America's Best Resort Golf Courses Golfweek
Best Golf Resort in the Mid-Atlantic Golf Digest
Gold Premier Resort Golf Magazine
America's Best State-By-State Courses You Can Play Golfweek

News

Headline Date
Appreciating The Forest For The Trees September 18, 2017
Rees Jones’ Revolutionary Redesign in Williamsburg August 9, 2017
History Restored: RTJ Sr.’s Gold Course At Golden Horseshoe Golf Club In Colonial Williamsburg Is A Timeless Walk July 25, 2017
Improving Playability While Keeping Character July 11, 2017
Renovations To The Golden Horseshoe Gold Course To Commence This May February 10, 2016
Rees Jones Returns to Colonial Williamsburg’s Golden Horseshoe October 1, 2013

More Information

For more information about Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold Course), please visit the course’s website.