For more than 20 years, guests arrived at Primland armed with hiking, riding,
fishing and hunting gear. Today, their arsenal includes golf clubs. Since the
opening of the Highland course in 2006, the pursuit of birdies has become a
large part of the sporting life at this 12,000-acre resort enclave in the
mountains of southern Virginia.
From either of the resort’s two entrances,
it’s a long, twisting drive through deep forest to the summit. There, straddling
a backbone of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lies an outdoorsman’s (or woman’s)
Shangri-La: 90 miles of trails to explore on horseback, foot or all-terrain
vehicle.The course site reminded architect Donald Steel of his Scottish
highland roots, and he designed a 7,034-yard layout that runs along a ridge.
Nearly every hole boasts a panoramic view of valleys and distant peaks. The
hazards are ravines and cliffs supplemented by deep, well-placed bunkers around
large, rolling greens. It’s an engaging, difficult track that flows smoothly and
naturally.
Just as at home in the landscape as the course are the rustic but
subtly luxurious accommodations—15 log cabins, all overlooking valleys to the
east or west. This spring the resort will open cottages along the 10th and 18th
fairways, followed in 2009 by a 26-suite lodge with gourmet restaurant, spa,
indoor pool, and golf wing housing a pro shop and locker rooms.
Until the lodge is completed, dining is available at Stables Saloon, where
the menu ranges from seasonal game dishes to skillet-seared beef filets to
mussels steamed in a delicate sauce.
