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Dreams come true with new Tom Clark Course
Golf Course Architecture wrote about Tom Clark's vision coming to life in a beautiful way with the construction of Cutlong at Lake Anna. Richard Humphrey's did an excellent job highlighting the classic hole designs. Read the full article here and from the source below.
"The new Cutalong golf course at Lake Anna, Virginia, is now open for play. The layout has been designed by Tom Clark in collaboration with golf journalist Ron Whitten and comprises holes inspired by some of golf’s best-known classic hole designs.
The project was first conceived in 1999 as a 27-hole course complemented by a small real estate development. In 2005, Clark teamed up with Whitten on the design, the two exchanging ideas on how classic holes and green designs could be incorporated into layout.
The development has seen multiple owners, a foreclosure and a bankruptcy. The first construction began in 2012, with three holes completed and five others roughly shaped but financial difficulties brought the work to a halt.
Utah-based lender Private Capital Group purchased the project, both real estate and golf, in 2018, and course construction started again that year. By the end of 2019, eleven holes and the practice facilities were complete. The final seven holes were finished this year.
Speaking with GCA in 2019, Clark said: “My original intention was to create another National Golf Links, similar to the great Charles Blair Macdonald’s layout in Southampton. With some of Ron’s input we not only have Macdonald to draw from, but a host of other famous designers and now we even have a Civil War component.”
The site is close to Civil War battlegrounds and Clark and Whitten, a Civil War expert, have based some holes – including the ‘Stockade Redan’ eighth – on nineteenth century fortresses and defences.
The layout also emphasises the site’s mining history, featuring abandoned mine shafts, ruins and a rail line. “We have railroad tie bunkers, mine shafts have been capped and are now drainage basins, and we have used rail ruins, spikes, picks and mule shoes as tee markers,” said Clark.
Interpretations of famous holes that feature on the Cutalong layout include a version of James Braid’s ‘Het Girdle’ par-three fifth green at Gleneagles on the par-five third, the par-three seventeenth based on Alister MacKenzie’s Gibraltar hole at Moortown, as well others inspired by the work of Harry Colt, Hugh Alison, Donald Ross, Tom Simpson, Old Tom Morris, William Flynn and others.
Read more: A hole-by-hole descriptions of the golf course on the Cutalong at Lake Anna website.
The design team aimed to minimise earthmoving, resulting in occasional blind shots, another feature associated with historic courses. Wide fairways allow for multiple angles of approach, and are designed play firm and fast. “All greens have a minimum of six quadrants with plenty of pinnable areas,” said Clark.
Clark has a home five minutes from the course and for the last two years has averaged 20 days per month on site. “I would say I’ve put all my 50 years’ of experience into this,” he said. “And with so few new courses being developed, this may very well be my last and best!”
While all 18 holes are now open, the official opening is planned for 2 July 2021."
Source Link: https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/tom-clark-finally-realises-cutalong-dream-as-new-course-opens-for-play
August 1, 2024, Lake Anna, VA — The groundbreaking ceremony for the Cutalong Golf Clubhouse, held on July 30, 2024, marked the official commencement of a new, master-planned resort-style new home community located on Lake Anna in Louisa County, Virginia. Attended by local officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders, the event was honored by the presence of The First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin, who spoke as a distinguished guest. The ceremony highlighted the community's promising future and its anticipated positive economic impact on the region. The fully-built development is expected to contribute significantly to Louisa County's economy, with an estimated annual impact of $6.5 million. This figure includes $5 million from property taxes and over $1.5 million from transient occupancy taxes. Additionally, the project will generate over 200 full-time jobs and 150 construction and skilled trade positions during the development phase. The property spans 1,000 acres bordering Lake Anna and is poised to become a premier destination in Virginia. The development plan includes 891 residential entitlements, featuring estate homes and homesites, executive homesites, cottages, villas, townhomes, and luxury condominium accommodations. Cutalong Golf Club, the centerpiece of the community, boasts a meticulously designed 18-hole championship golf course by renowned architect Tom Clark and was recently ranked as a top 5 best new private courses in America, by Golf Digest. The clubhouse groundbreaking signifies the first major milestone in developing this highly anticipated lakeside resort community. "Today's groundbreaking marks an exciting milestone for Cutalong and the community," said Joe Walsh, Project Director. "We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we've received from the local community and our partners. It's an exciting time as we bring a premier family lakeside resort and private golf community to Lake Anna, enhancing the charm and appeal of this beautiful area. We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience that will not only enrich the lives of our members, their guests and visitors but also contribute positively to the greater Virginia region." The ceremony featured remarks from notable county officials such as Duane Adams, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Louisa County, Christopher McCotter, a Member of the Board of Supervisors in Louisa County, Chris Coon, Deputy County Administrator of Louisa County and key figures including Jared Lucero, Partner and CEO of Reef Capital Partners. The event was further distinguished by the presence of The First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin, who participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking. “The economic development at Cutalong is poised to significantly benefit our region and the entire Commonwealth,” said Suzanne Youngkin. “Cutalong aims not only to provide homes but also to foster recreation and engagement with nature, promoting wellness and community connection. I’m excited to see how it flourishes.” For more information about Cutalong Golf Club and future community, please visit Cutalong Lake Anna.
Golfweek's Best Private Courses 2023: State-by-state rankings of private courses. Cutalong at Lake Anna was recently ranked top 10 private courses in the state of Virginia. Link to the Golf Week's Article - https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/golfweeks-best-private-courses-2023-state-by-state-rankings-golf/
Cutalong Golf Club was recently ranked in the top 5 best new private courses in America, by Golf Digest
The premier master planned golf-centered community on Virginia's Lake Anna.
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