VIRGINIA GOLF COMMUNITIES
Research presented at a Richmond advertising agency back in 1969 showed that visitors loved Virginiaās mountains, its beaches, its art museums, its historic monumentsāand certainly the Virginia golf communities. The tagline āVirginia is for Loversā emerged from that brainstorming session and has endured long since.Ā
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 communitiesāthatās true as well out to the west, in destinations like Charlottesville and Roanoke.
Virginia’s Transitional Climate
The stateās 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 grassesābermudagrass as well as bentgrassāon fairways and greens. There are four distinct seasons to enjoy and the winters are generally mild.
Virginiaās 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.Ā
Culture Indoors & Out
Virginiaās 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 stateās parks, forests and beaches.
Healthcare
For those looking at Virginia golf communities, the quality of health care is critical and well-documented. The stateās 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 stateās reputation as a retirement haven.
An appealing change of scenery
From New York City to Richmond, Virginiaās centrally located capital, is a distance of 350 miles, then itās 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.
Governor’s Land at Two Rivers
Colonial Heritage
Ford’s Colony