Meadowbrook Golf Course in Richmond is a perfect example. Meadowbrook was a flat course only 6,000 yards from the tips, and in need of a major renovation when it was taken over by the Hendrick family in 2006.
Now Meadowbrook is a championship course playing 7,468 yards from the tips. You can appreciate the challenge that poses for the average golfer when you remember that the U.S. Open course for 2011 is at Congressional playing at 7,574 yards. The initial reaction to Meadowbrook is a lot like seeing Times Square for the first time: they are both big, beautiful and a bit overwhelming. Yet both can be an enjoyable experience if you make the right choices.
Meadowbrook has five sets of tees and the scorecard suggests the proper tees based on your handicap. Being a 13 handicap I chose the green tees which plays at a challenging 6,532 yards. The key to enjoyment of this championship is not to let your ego get in the way and abide by the set of tees that matches your handicap.
The course was in excellent condition and the greens were quite large and receptive to approach shots. The fairways are fairly wide and framed by tall pine trees reminiscent of the courses in North Carolina.
I was a bit surprised by the first par 3 on the course. At 261 yards from the back tee the par 3 fourth hole would challenge the best players on the planet. The 10th hole, a par 3 with an elevated tee playing to a green that is almost completely surrounded by water.
The Par 5’s are monsters with the twelfth hole playing 603 yards from the back tees and the fifteenth stretching to 649 yards.
The clubhouse provides delicious food and drink, I would highly recommend the Angus Burger and a Sam Adams draft. A perfect post-round place to relax and reflect on the day is the brick patio which overlooks the second hole.
For more info see the web site at www.meadowbrookgolfri.com or phone 401-539-8491.
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