Nearly Thirty Percent of Virginia's Premium Golf Courses Join Virginia Golf Trail

STAFFORD, Va., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virginia Golf Trail, a collaboration of the Commonwealth's public and private golf courses, hotels, wineries, restaurants, historic, cultural and recreational amenities, announced today that over 30% of Virginia's Premium Golf Courses (Golf Digest ratings of 3.5 +) have joined the Virginia Golf Trail.  This announcement strengthens the Virginia Golf Trail's commitment to enhancing the Commonwealth's reputation as a premier golfing destination and connecting the state's diverse courses with rich history and amenities.

In order to offer a range of distinctive regional choices, The Virginia Golf Trail is scheduled to include around 35 top-rated golf courses located in six geographical zones: Southwest, Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg/Richmond North [Capitol], Richmond South/Piedmont [Piedmont] and Williamsburg/Virginia Beach.

Each Virginia Golf Trail zone includes the area's participating golf courses, along with nearby accommodations, recommended restaurants, local wineries, historic attractions, cultural events, seasonal recreation options and other vacation venues—all packaged into a convenient, value-conscious travel itinerary.

On the day of commencement, the Federal Club in Richmond Virginia was the very first golf club to join the Virginia Golf Trail. The Federal Club's General Manager, Trevor Hedgepeth said, "Until now, golf in Virginia has been an understated asset.  From the coastlines to the ridgelines, Virginia has long offered some of the most memorable golf courses in the country.  As the Virginia Golf Trail prepares for its inaugural season, I cannot imagine a better platform for The Federal Club to introduce itself to the golfing enthusiast. Aside from the expectation of higher golf traffic next season, we feel honored to be a part of an initiative that will assuredly become a travel destination for visitors across the country. By compiling the best golf courses in the state, Lt. Governor Bolling got it right when he said, 'Look-out Alabama.' We just hope that we can benefit the Virginia Golf Trail as much as our invitation to belong will benefit our club."

The Virginia Golf Trail's impressive roster of top-rated golf courses includes:  The Federal Club, Forest Greens, Keswick Club, Lakeview Golf Club, Heritage Oak Golf Club, Generals Ridge Golf Club, Pendleton Golf Club, Packsaddle Ridge Golf Club, Piankatank River Golf Club, Spring Creek Golf Club, Virginia National Golf Club, Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club, Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, Stonewall Golf Club, Lake Monticello Golf Club, The Manor Resort, Providence Golf Club, Cannon Ridge Golf Club, Westfield's Golf Club, Clear Creek Golf Club, the Country Club of Petersburg, and Wintergreen Resort.

The Virginia Golf Trail's accommodations members include: Keswick Hall, The Jefferson Hotel, The Omni Hotel Richmond, Hyatt Place Richmond, the Doubletree Hotel Richmond, Fairfield Inn Manassas; Holiday Inn Leesburg, Longwood Bed and Breakfast, Kilmarnock Inn, The Ashby Inn, Wintergreen Resort, Holiday Inn Front Royal, Country Inn & Suites Fredericksburg, Courtyard Marriott Harrisonburg, Comfort Inn Harrisonburg, and the Hampton Inn Fredericksburg.

Potomac Point Winery, Chesapeake Wine Trail, James River Cellars and Barrel Oak Winery are also among The Virginia Golf Trail's featured members.

Former President of the PGA of America and Virginia Golf Trail President, Gary Schaal said, "We couldn't be happier with the development and growth of the Virginia Golf Trail. The support from Virginia's finest golf courses has been overwhelming - and we are really looking forward to establishing Virginia a premier golfing destination"

The Virginia Golf Trail made it's debut at Cannon Ridge Golf Club in Stafford Virginia on October 12, 2010 with a press conference held by Lt. Governor Bill Bolling. The trail's total annual economic impact to Virginia is significant. According to an economic and fiscal impact study conducted by Chmura Economics & Analytics, when fully developed, The Virginia Golf Trail could generate $66.6 million per year in total spending and create 652 jobs, .

The statewide trail of approximately 36 private and public courses will be divided into six zones.  Diverse geography and weather patterns allow for a ten plus month season for the trail.  Each zone will include a recommended series of golf courses—along with great hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, vineyards, historic attractions and other regional tourism offerings—packaged into a convenient, value-conscious travel itinerary on the trail's website at www.VirginiaGolfTrail.com.

SOURCE Virginia Golf Trail