Peaking at over 400 new courses built per year, the housing bubble fueled the creation of countless low-quality golf courses. Usually limited by developers’ strict deadlines, property poorly suited for golf, and playing corridors cramped by housing, often courses built to sell real estate produce less than great golf. The Vista Links, however, has evolved to be an exception to this rule. This municipal course located in Buena Vista provides locals with one of the most fun and affordable courses in all of Virginia.
Seeking to revitalize the town and hoping to capitalize on the real estate boom, in 2004 the city of Buena Vista decided to develop a few hundred acres of nearby farmland into a golf course. The Wall Street Journal states that “officials projected the course would pay for itself. Plans called for about 70 acres surrounding the property to be dotted with a hotel, homes, small businesses and restaurants. The city took out a loan, then refinanced it by selling bonds.” Buena Vista put up the city hall and police station as collateral on the $9 million bond. Fast forward to 2008 and very few lots had been sold. The city defaulted on the bond, placing the municipal government as well as the bond issuer in an extremely difficult position. As grim as it sounds, the city government’s financial mistakes have allowed the Vista Links to evolve into a wonderfully unpretentious and fun place to play golf.
Financial issues have forced the course to focus on only the necessities and leave behind the large maintenance staff. Greeted by a modest clubhouse and a gravel parking lot, players of the Vista Links know they are not in for the crusty dress codes and strict rules that govern much of golf today. The clubhouse, parking lot, and first tee are located on the highest point on the property and offer incredible 360° views of the surrounding countryside and mountain ranges.
The property is uncluttered. Free of unnecessary trees and unsightly housing. Native grasses dominate the landscape but are borderline unplayable in many areas.
Compared to Olde Farm, a course also located on southwest Virginia farmland, the Vista Links wonderfully blends into the natural landscape.
The course is designed by Rick Jacobsen. The routing of the course is great. Interesting hole designs navigate at times severe terrain while remaining walkable for most players.
The greens do not offer much interest in terms of internal contour and have experienced reduction in size. Luckily the course’s accessibility and interesting routing make up for it.
Playing conditions are great considering the low greens fee ($20 to ride 18). The fairways made up of weeds, wildflowers, clovers, and various grasses do a great job of reflecting their environment. They are not cut to the length that most are accustomed to but provide a good playing surface. Thanks to limited irrigation the fairways play firm and fast, allowing for some truly fun golf shots. Coupled with frequent high winds on the open and elevated property, many opportunities exist for creative shotmaking.
The most obvious difference between now and when the course was first constructed is the alteration of the bunker lips.
The course was originally dotted with artificial and expensive-to-maintain bunkers. They featured pure white sand that stuck out against the landscape. Erosion and lack of maintenance has allowed the bunkers to take on a much more natural look while playing as true hazards.
Wildflowers and native grass along the bunker’s edges create some interesting recovery shots.
The hazards are thoughtfully placed and work with the large fairway movement to provide strategy.
The bunkers almost resemble eroded areas caused by cattle frequently found on hills in the many farms in the area:
This course benefits from having none of the negative aspects typically associated with golf courses used to sell surrounding real estate: A great piece of property was used, there are very few homes visible from the golf course, and the course is affordable and accessible to all. Frequent visits allowed me to develop a great appreciation for The Vista Links. I’m thankful to have access to such an affordable and fun golf course in an amazing setting.
Barbecue from nearby JJ’s Meat Shack is the proper way to follow a round at the Vista Links.
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Links:
http://bvcity.org/vista-links/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703908704575433720458693754
https://www.bondbuyer.com/news/buena-vista-va-faces-appeal-of-ruling-on-defaulted-golf-course-bonds
OneStrappers 