Preserving a Classic Game
"Come on, come on - The First Founders Bridge Pools are coming!" The words reverberated across the fairways at Heritage Links' Pataughey Golf Course. Sitting a short distance from historic Richmond's city center, the 18-hole golf course is the brainchild of Jack van Koolen, a local architect and avid golfer. Renovated in the mid-1990s, the course is one of the newest and most spectacular attractions in town. Jack and his wife, Beth, have made their generous donations to Heritage Links to help improve the course and provide daily enjoyment for the community.
" Located just west of Richmond," The First Founders Bridge Pools is conveniently located just west of Richmond. Recognized by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the best courses to play at in Richmond, we've reduced playing time by nearly an entire hour to ensure our guests enjoy playing without any interruptions caused by elements found in the immediate area. In essence, The First founders bridge pool is a wonderful place to play some quality long term golfing action. However, as with most of the properties we own, there are inherent risks. Although no natural disaster has ever caused damage to our properties, elements found within the immediate area may impact the playing conditions and quality of play.
"There are inherent risks when you play at the First founders bridge pool," says Jack. " startup is that we're constantly monitoring the situation to make sure there aren't problems. Although we take every precaution, the reality is that Mother Nature is always a factor. startup 's also a factor when it comes to the wind. When the wind is blowing from the west, you can pretty much bet that rain is going to come down.
"We are currently monitoring the weather pattern at our location," Jack continues. "We do use an off site weather station, but we do have cameras that will offer us crystal clear pictures of the weather over the next six months. The other risk is that the ground in the immediate area is extremely soft. If the ground is soft, the balls will not roll very well. But, if the ground is hard, the ball will roll more slowly, which can lead to longer clubs, which we don't want."
If you are considering playing at The First Bank pool on East Blvd, you may want to take a moment to check out the weather forecast for the next six months. You should also be aware of how inclement weather can affect your ability to play your game. "If it's windy, it can really slow you down. Even though startup use the best possible materials, we know that the weather does have an impact."
Despite the challenges associated with playing on the ground at The First Bank pool, Jack notes that they are happy to be able to offer an outdoor experience. "We are so used to being indoors that people don't realize how much difference it makes when you are outdoors. Our guests are always amazed by the beauty of our course and by the lack of inclement weather. In fact, this spring we had one of the best spring rains we've had.
Of course, you'll want to dress appropriately for the weather. For example, "The guys who come to my house are in their swimsuits and Hawaiian shirts. If it's windy, I warn them to get inside and lay down some towels. It's not just the heat that affects the weather, it's the humidity as well."
When you visit The First Bank, you will also want to check out its sister courses, Crested Wind and Sand Trap. These 18 hole, par three courses offer players a chance to enjoy some great golf while still in the city. You may even want to try Sand Trap, which is located right on the water. The designers of The First Bank made their course more challenging than the ones at the other two banks. However, they wanted to create a course that would appeal to all ages and skill levels. Whether you are an experienced golfer or a beginner, you will find these two new courses to your liking.