Collegiate Times

Despite losing half of the course to the construction of The Inn at Virginia Tech earlier this decade, the course still retains respect from its customers.

Chris Lovrine, PGA head professional, has worked at Tech for three years. She came to Blacksburg from Fishers, Ind., where she was the head professional at Britton Golf Course.

“I have fallen in love with this area,” Lovrine said. “The people in this community are great.”

The course is 3,258-yards long. In comparison to the runners-up for this award, it is shorter than the course at the Blacksburg Country Club (6,671 yards) and the Pete Dye River Course (7,665 yards).

The average length of this course makes it interesting for players of all skill levels. Hardly any of the par four greens are drivable, but they are not too long for anyone who likes to take irons off the tee.

Some of the most challenging holes on the course include numbers five and seven.

The fifth hole is a 351-yard par four from the championship tees, which features a near 90-degree dogleg left 200 yards from the tee box.

Courageous players can attempt to cut off some of the dogleg by clearing the trees along the fairway. However, should the ball not make it all the way across the canopy, they will be stuck in the forests with little hope of making it out with a single shot.

The seventh hole is a 422-yard par four, which Lovrine claims to play even longer than its marked yardage.

“You’ve got to hit two really good shots to make the green in two,” Lovrine said.

On the other hand, there are some holes that are not as challenging and can be a lot of fun for any golfer.

The eighth hole is a 167-yard par three, which is relatively short, and has an expansive green that makes for an easier target. It is rated as the easiest hole on the golf course and is typically a great opportunity to make par.

The course is the host for the Tech club golf team practice. Every Sunday, the club team holds tryouts for its next tournament, which are typically played at the River Course.

Sophomore Erik Amy has played on the club team both of his years at school.

“It is good to have a course so close, being on campus, and it is a decent challenge for all golfers,” Amy said.

Jason Radcliffe maintains the course along with his crew, and they work hard to ensure the course stays in prime condition throughout the year.

Radcliffe recently took over for Leroy Smith, who retired from the position after 39 years. In just a short time on the job, Radcliffe has already earned high praise as the superintendent.

“He is the No. 1 key guy to making this golf course in great shape,” Lovrine said.

Lovrine brought a wealth of experience as a course professional when she arrived at Tech, but she
needed to adjust to the collegiate atmosphere.

Working at a golf course on the university level has distinct differences than the public or corporate level, and Lovrine has met that challenge head-on.

“Being affiliated with a university has been a learning experience,” she said. “I used to work for a family, now I work for the government, essentially.”

She is settled into this course now, and thanks to Radcliffe as well as the rest of the course staff, it has been deemed the best of Blacksburg.