Virginia Golf Communities

VIRGINIA GOLF COMMUNITIES

Research presented at a Richmond advertising agency back in 1969 showed that visitors loved Virginia’s mountains, its beaches, its art museums, its historic monuments—and certainly the Virginia golf communities. The tagline “Virginia is for Lovers” emerged from that brainstorming session and has endured long since. 

The state that gave us Sam Snead, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins, Brittany Lang, Donna Andrews and so many more accomplished tour players gets consistently high marks for the quality and variety of its courses.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville is a links landmark known for hosting the biennial Presidents Cup matches on four occasions, along with a PGA Tour event in 2015.

Celebrating its centennial in 1923, the famed Cascades Course in Hot Springs is considered definitive mountain-region golf and a top reason for the success of the venerable Homestead Resort, site of the 1967 U.S. Women’s Open and the 1988 U.S. Amateur.

All along the I-95 corridor are attractive regions that are home to fine Virginia golf communities—that’s true as well out to the west, in destinations like Charlottesville and Roanoke.

Virginia’s Transitional Climate

The state’s climate, in agricultural terms, is considered transitional, which gives rise to a tremendous variety of native vegetation and greenery.

In golf that translates to the use of warm-weather and cool-weather grasses—bermudagrass as well as bentgrass—on fairways and greens. There are four distinct seasons to enjoy and the winters are generally mild.

Virginia’s famous slogan mixes romance with a whole lot of credibility: People who come here for a vacation or to purchase a Virginia golf community home really do love what the Old Dominion State offers.

Those attributes include:

• Mild climate
• Beautiful coastline
• Blue Ridge Mountains
• Historic sites from Colonial Williamsburg to Monticello to the Appomattox Court House

A light touch on taxes

Virginia is known for putting a light touch on taxpayers, relative to many other states. Social Security benefits and retirement income are exempt from state income taxes.

And property taxes are generally lower than in neighboring states. 

Culture Indoors & Out

Virginia’s got a stimulating and fast-growing cultural scene, from its plentiful museums and galleries to its well-regarded performing arts venues.

For the outdoorsy types, there is plenty of opportunity for hiking, camping, fishing and boating throughout the state’s parks, forests and beaches.

Healthcare

For those looking at Virginia golf communities, the quality of health care is critical and well-documented. The state’s elite hospitals are spread geographically, to maximize access.Top ranked facilities include:

• VCU Medical Center in Richmond, with its affiliated Children’s Hospital of Richmond, is ranked No. 1 by U.S. News and World Report
• Ranked 2nd is Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News
• No. 3 is the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville

Data from the U.S. Census conducted in 2020 shows Virginia with a population of 8.5 million people, some 15 percent of whom over age 65, which fits with the state’s reputation as a retirement haven.

An appealing change of scenery

From New York City to Richmond, Virginia’s centrally located capital, is a distance of 350 miles, then it’s another 700 miles down to central Florida.

Relocating from Northeast cities to Virginia golf communities provides a distinct and appealing change of scenery and atmosphere. Yet, it still allows a drivable trip back to familiar surroundings and longtime friends.