
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 10, 1990                   TAG: 9005100107
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: NATURAL BRIDGE                                LENGTH: Medium

ARCHITECT HAS HIGH HOPES FOR LINKS

At the official ground breaking for the LINKS at Natural Bridge, architect Algie Pulley hoisted a glass and proposed a toast "to the No. 1 golf course in Virginia."

That statement may have been a bit optimistic, but in a brochure introducing the course, Pulley said his goal was for the LINKS to be one of the top five courses in the state.

Construction already is under way, and Pulley said he hopes play can begin by June 1991.

The course will be located on land owned by Natural Bridge Village and will be operated by Virginia Golf Development as a "daily fee country club," in which the golfer essentially becomes a member of the club for one day, with one fee covering greens fee, cart fee and unlimited range balls.

The course will be open to the public, with membership limited to 100 founders.

"Our purpose is to stimulate activity in the hotel," said Pulley, a 1958 graduate of Virginia, where he served as captain of the golf team. "This is not the typical real estate development with lots lined up and down the fairways."

The course will be located within walking distances of the hotel. Natural Bridge is visible from the 18th green.

"Twelve of the 18 holes are in the woods," Pulley said. "Six holes will be along Highway 11 through rolling, open hills. I would characterize the course as hilly."

The LINKS will measure anywhere from 5,200 to 7,190 yards and provide as many as five sets of tees. Par will be 72 from the back tees.

"Clearly, this course could host any major event," said Pulley, who is working on another course, the Royal Virginia Golf Club, between Charlottesville and Richmond in Goochland County. "It's almost impossible to create a golf course for the fun players and accommodate the Greg Norman's of the world, but that was our aim."

The course features three ponds, several creeks and 63 bunkers. The third hole, a par-3, measures 240 yards over water from the back tees.

The project director is Roger Larson, who for 10 years was executive superintendent of the Pebble Beach and Spyglass golf clubs in California. Larson now heads a company specializing in course construction.

Pulley predicted that a second course would open within five years, with one of the courses eventually becoming private.

by CNB