Virginia's Raspberry Falls Golf
and Hunt Club: A Spectacular
Gary Player Design
By Travis Espenlaub,
Staff Writer
LEESBURG, Va. - Upon waking on the day I was scheduled to review
Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club I had no idea what a special
day was in store for me, especially from the sheets of rain that
were falling outside my bedroom window. Raspberry Falls is located
in Leesburg, close to Dulles Airport, which is less than an hour
outside of Washington D.C. and about the same distance from Frederick,
Maryland.
There are numerous other high-end golf courses located in the area, but from what I had heard from friends and colleagues for the last 3 years since Raspberry Falls had opened, hardly any of them compared to this beauty. Raspberry Falls was designed by golf legend, Gary Player and was developed upon an 18th-century plantation named "Raspberry Plain". It overlooks Sugarloaf Mountain, which is only a few miles off in the distance and is a beautiful sight from the number 2 tee box. The course was designed to mimic a Scottish type course and even has stacked sod bunkers located treacherously throughout its landscape. As the course name implies, it also has fox hunting available part of the year. During the Autumn, Winter, and early Spring months, the Loudoun Hunt West Fox Hunting Club offers Fox hunts that actually cross their horses on certain parts of the course itself. As I pulled up to the bag drop outside of the southern mansion style clubhouse, the rainy weather began to break some and a small glimmer of hope flashed across my face. The staff at Raspberry Falls is top-notch and the friendly bag attendant took care of my bag and let me walk into the clubhouse to sign in. As I entered the clubhouse, I noticed a group of people listening to a man talking about golf. This man turned out to be none other than 1999 United States Ryder Cup player and PGA Golf Professional, Hal Sutton. Upon further investigation I discovered that Mr. Sutton had played a few holes at Raspberry Falls earlier in the day. My small glimmer of hope turned into a large smile of excitement because I was about to play a course that Hal Sutton had just finished playing. On the day I played Raspberry Falls, synthetic mats were the only option of hitting practice balls due to the wet conditions caused by the earlier downpour. However, on most days natural grass tees are available. There is also a very quick and undulating practice green that is juxtaposed to the clubhouse entrance way and first tee. Inside of the clubhouse is a very well stocked pro shop that caters to even the most extravagant golf tastes. For those who need a quick bite to eat before, during, or after a round of golf at Raspberry Falls, light food such as hot dogs and sandwiches are available in the restaurant area. After reviewing the scorecard prior to going to the first tee, I noticed that many of the bunkers and hazards had very daunting names associated with them. Examples of these names include; Satan's Foxhole, Rogue's Hollow, Motley's Revenge, and Player's Prison,. I don't believe these pet names were given to the hazards to build a feeling of confidence in a player before they start out on their 18-hole journey. I also noticed on the scorecard that there are 5 sets of tees for many different playing abilities. The difference between the back tees and the front tees is over 2,300-yds and suggestions are made on the scorecard for which tees a player should play depending upon where their handicap falls. As I placed my ball on the first tee, the rain began to fall once again. Even after being rained on all day, the course seemed to drain very quickly and didn't look as if it had many standing water spots on it at all. The bent grass fairways were very plush and green even with the record drought the mid-Atlantic area had recently suffered.  The course definitely has a Scottish feel to it, especially in the weather conditions of which we played. I had been told previously about playing Raspberry Falls and that the wind could play a large factor in club selection because of the openness of many of the holes. Although the wind wasn't a factor the day I was there, I could see how it could easily come into play on some of the holes. This does not imply in the least that the course is open for errant shots.
Where the course is open, Mr. Player made sure to make up for that with very high grass and weeds that make it almost impossible to find a ball. Believe me, because a few of my golf balls are still hiding somewhere on the course, unless maybe one of the local foxes scooped them up. There are many breathtaking views at Raspberry Falls but one of the most beautiful in my opinion is the view from the back tee box of the par-4 number 3 hole. It measures a whopping 479-yds from the back tees. The drop from the tee to the fairway is extremely high and watching a well struck ball sailing out over the fairway is a spectacular sight to behold. Thank goodness I happened to hit one of my best drives of the day on number 3. Even with a long drive, there is still a good bit of work to do with the overall length of the hole and the tight shot to a green with the previously mentioned tall grasses and a strategically situated right side bunker.  Water only comes into play on a few holes on the course but one of them that has it ever present is the 462-yd number 10 par-4. Water is located most of the way down the entire length of the left side of the fairway.
The tricky part is negotiating the water that nestles up next to the green itself. This is appropriately nicknamed Hooker's Wharf because the slightest shot to the left side of the green is a wet one. A save shot to the middle of the green is probably the smartest and best way to get a par on this hole. The finishing 18th hole is a very interesting and intimidating hole due to the options it gives a golfer. It is a 550-yd par-5 from the back tees with another beautiful downhill tee-shot. If the drive is hit far enough, you have a shot at the green, which sits on the other side of Raspberry Creek. However, it isn't just good enough to be able to hit a long shot, it also calls for great accuracy due to the small chute that you have to hit through to reach the green. Another factor that comes into play is the beautiful clubhouse that is located directly behind the green where many spectators could possibly watch you play this approach shot like a Ryder Cup Champion or a Municipal Course hacker. If you find yourself in the Washington D.C. area looking for a spectacular course to play some challenging and pleasurable golf, Raspberry Falls should be at the top of your list. Weekday Fees (Mon-Thur): $65/18 holes $35/9 holes Weekend Fees (F, S, Sun):$75/18 holes $40/9 holes Replay Rate (Every Day): $35/18 holes $20/9 holes Black Tee Course Rating:74.3
Black Tee Course Slope: 134
Black Yardage: 7191
Par: 72 Gold Tee Course Rating: 72.2
Gold Tee Course Slope: 129
Gold Yardage: 6765
Par: 72 Blue Tee Course Rating (Men):69.8 (Women):76.4
Blue Tee Course Slope (Men): 126 (Women):133
Blue Yardage: 6296
Par: 72 White Tee Course Rating (Men):71.1 (Women):71.7
White Tee Course Slope (Men): 127 (Women):124
White Yardage: 5576
Par: 72 Raspberry Tee Course Rating: 68.0
Raspberry Tee Course Slope: 115
Raspberry Yardage: 4854
Par: 72 Head Pro: Jim Devine
Pro Shop Phone: (703) 779-2555
Website Address: www.Raspberryfalls.com
Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club
41601 Raspberry Drive
PO Box 590
Leesburg, Va 20178
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