CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia – Keswick Hall, the acclaimed 600-acre luxury resort set in Virginia’s scenic Wine Country, announces its celebrated Pete Dye-designed golf course, Full Cry, is now showcasing the results of an impressive renovation led by noted golf course architect Scot Sherman.
The work on Full Cry joins the comprehensive hotel and amenities renovation headed by owners Molly and Robert Hardie in conjunction with global design firm Hart Howerton.
The stunning results now showcase the integrity of the original elegant structure and provide an even more luxurious and modern setting for Keswick Hall’s guests to savor a true world-class experience. Robert Hardie also worked closely with Sherman and his team on the improvements to Full Cry.
Since opening in 2014 to rave reviews including Golf Digest’s “Best New Courses” list, Full Cry has garnered accolade after accolade including being currently ranked No. 3 in Golfweek’s “Best You Can Play in Virginia” as well as sitting at No. 46 in Golfweek’s “Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S.” Keswick Hall has also been honored with the prestigious Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award for “Best Golf Resorts in the Americas” for seven consecutive years.
“Pete Dye always liked to tinker and improve his golf course creations, so it’s an honor we’re carrying on his incredible legacy here at Full Cry just as he would have done,” says Hardie. “We are blessed to have one of Pete’s great golf course designs here at Keswick Hall for our members and guests to enjoy for decades to come.”
Using Dye’s vision for Full Cry as an ideal layout for golfers of all abilities to enjoy the game, the acclaimed layout now has wonderful new options off the tee on several holes including the par-4 3rd now playing 275 yards from the forward tees and 355 yards from the back. With a wider fairway and a new series of progressively smaller bunkers nearing the green, the hole can be played on multiple levels of difficulty and is the epitome of strategic golf that Dye was long known for creating.
Additionally, a new tee box was added as well as the rebuilt of the “Sahara” greenside bunker of the exceptional par-3 7th. Playing a forgiving 85 yards from the front tee and a daunting 193 yards from the back, the hole is a splendid example of Dye’s genius for visual intimidation. The redesign has made a classic hole even better.
New bunker complexes were additionally fashioned on both the par-4 13th and par-4 14th by adding two course characteristics Dye became world-famous for: pot bunkers and wooden planks forming bunker walls. Some of the best players in Virginia will testing their game against the renovation as Full Cry with host the Virginia Mid-Amateur Championship on Sept. 22 – 25.
“Scot is an expert on Pete Dye’s incredible lifetime of work, and we’re thrilled to have him help us make Full Cry even more exceptional,” says Rob McNamara, Keswick Hall club manager and director of golf. “The work has exceeded our expectations and Full Cry has solidified its standing in the upper echelons of premier places to tee it up.”
The impressive renovation highlights also include an increase in the number of guest rooms from 48 to 80, dramatic new horizon pool, and inspiring food and beverage outlets under the direction of acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten who oversees the property’s culinary operations. The resort is currently opening its new, luxurious Keswick Hall Spa offering a selection of holistic spa experiences thoughtfully curated to support mental, physical and emotional well-being.
For more information on Keswick Hall visit www.keswick.com
