Royal New Kent

“Flowing across 7,372 yards of a windswept, rugged landscape, Royal New Kent has been called ‘the truest representation of an Irish links in America.’ Royal New Kent is reminiscent of the Irish Landscape where links courses such as Royal County Down and Ballybunion were built. Greens hide behind sharp, grassy knolls, hand stacked rock walls and tall fescue grasses. The generous, contoured fairways occasionally demand blind shots. The par 72 design features over 120 bunkers, many are deep shadow bunkers lined with fescue grass. The enormous, fast greens have bold swales and ridges. Each hole offers several playing options.”

RAGA take: A fully stocked clubhouse is the beacon overlooking the majestic first tee and 18th green. The driving range and chipping area is a bit of a distance from the first tee so plan accordingly but all the other needs for a golfer can be found inside the clubhouse. The course looks and feels like a true links track, especially in the right weather conditions. The front 9 has an array of blind shots and treacherous waste areas. Combine that with a finishing hole peninsula green and you’ve got a course that will challenge your nerve and skill.

Found next to Brickshire, Royal New Kent is a links style course with glimpses of Colonial Downs race track, just off I-64 in New Kent.