Vista Links offers local golfers alternative course

By: Ashley Metzloff

Posted: 1/26/05

The Vista Links, the golf course in Buena Vista that opened last August, is the newest project aspiring to improve Buena Vista's image and tourism industry. The project is surrounded by hype- but it may actually be worth the hype it has generated so far.

Vista Links is a 18-hole par 72 championship course designed by award-winning architect Rick Jacobson, who has done several other major golf designs in the mid-Atlantic area. The course is in Glen Maury Park, and is open to all golfers.

One of the attractions of the Vista Links for local boosters is the potential for new residential developments. Ed Armentrout, general manager and head PGA golf professional for the Vista Links, says proposed property adjacent to the golf course is currently up for bids to over 20 major East-coast contractors.

The nature of the developments will not be clear until the deadline for bids in February, but Armentrout says there will be no houses within the golf course. "Nothing's going to take away from the beauty of the golf course," Armentrout says.

Local golf enthusiast Burr Datz describes the Links as "visually stunning." Even a non-golfer could easily enjoy the mountain scenery, no matter the time of year or the weather, says Datz, former assistant coach for Washington and Lee University's golf team.

The course's links design allows it to be more spread out and lets the course flow more naturally with the land. This allows for fewer uphill shots and "no blind shots," says Armentrout, who adds, "The elevation changes actually help the golfer."

Armentrout's greatest aspiration for the new course is creating an active program for junior golfers and hosting golf tournaments either this year or next. He says the "phone has been ringing constantly about future tournaments."

Dianne Winter, a W&L student conducting research for a marketing class, recently interviewed several students and faculty about their opinions of local golf facilities. Winter says that the Lexington Golf & Country Club has been struggling since Vista Links opened, and believes students prefer Vista Links because it costs about half as much as Lexington Golf. Students have also said they feel more welcome at the Links.

John Bovay, a W&L student, says the Vista Links is in better condition than the Lexington course. Bovay prefers the Links because it's "less crowded" and "prettier."

Datz says Vista Links is "raw" and "rough," but adds that "the design is fantastic." He says the course will mature more as the grasses grow and that, with the right marketing, the course has great potential.

Bovay and Datz have played about 100 courses each, and both men say the Links was in the top 20 percent of courses they have played.

Geddes Johnson, capitan of the golf team at W&L, says the overall quality of the Links is "good." Johnson adds that Links pricing is "incredibly affordable," but called Lexington Golf's prices "relatively absurd." He says the Links "will certainly steal all public business from Lexington," unless Lexington lowers prices. While Lexington only charges $2 more for 18 holes in the winter, in the spring Lexington's weekday rate is $50 for 18 holes without a cart, whereas Vista Links charges $20 for non-Buena Vista residents.

Armentrout would like to see a steadier base of annual pass holders, but adds that the Links has attracted a tremendous following of golfers so far. He believes the course is "catching on quickly," and many golfers have regularly traveled up to an hour from places like Roanoke and Harrisonburg, which have their own golf courses. Most of these visiting golfers, Armentrout says, have come because of word of mouth.

While the course is still "a work in progress," Armentrout is pleased with the course's success. He says the course will be nicer in a couple of years, but adds, "Grass has to grow-- you don't expect all of it to come up right away."