DATE: Wednesday, September 24, 1997         TAG: 9709230457

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                      LENGTH:   46 lines

NEW COURSE: KISKIACK

When describing the land that Kiskiack Golf Club was built upon, course architect John LaFoy said it was ``half sand pit, half dump and half virgin woodlands.''

Informed that was one too many halves for a whole sum, LaFoy said, ``I'm not a math major, I'm an architect.''

If this latest addition to his resume is any indication, he's pretty good at it.

Kiskiack, named after a tribe of Native American Indians that roamed the hills north of Williamsburg around the time of Pocahontas, is also the latest addition to a growing number of up-scale courses built with the traveling golfer in mind.

It's 48 miles west on Interstate 64 from Norfolk International Airport, then about a driver and a 3-iron from the 231B exit to get to the course. Once there, you'll find affordability and challenge.

With fees starting at $30, its a pleasant turn away from the $100-plus greens fees of some of the greater Williamsburg area's more notable courses.

Kiskiack is the seventh course operated by Carolinas Golf Group, which also operates The Currituck Club and Nags Head Golf Links, both quality courses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The course may begin with a tame, downhill par-4, but it takes little time sinking its claws into unsuspecting victims. The second hole is a 200-yard par-3 that's all carry over a lake. The middle tees don't afford much help; it's still a 179-yard carry.

``There are some strategic holes, some heroic holes and some that are even penal,'' LaFoy said Monday during an unveiling of the course for media members.

The course, however, isn't overly consumed by water. More dramatic is the roll of the hills; from the 13th green, one can see 14 other holes.

At 6,775 yards from the back tees, the course also isn't overly long. Better players can challenge each of the par-5s with their second shots. Kiskiack can do one thing, however, that all courses try to accomplish: It makes you use every club in your bag. Opens: OCt 4 Phone: 1-800-989-4728 For complete copy, see microfilm KEYWORDS: GOLF COURSE WILLIAMSBURG

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