It's the same feeling you'll get many times at the TPC of Virginia Beach, because the newest TPC course is also a Pete Dye design with all that goes along with his layouts. I'm not sure the nickname 'Punishment Pete Dye' is entirely warranted, but he certainly gets high marks for scaring the wits out of golfers. Even a brief glance at the scorecard lends itself intimidating-the course measures 7,432 yards from the tips. At the same time, you should calm yourself with the knowledge that Dye's courses, though visually frightening at times, also tend to be fair tests of golf-and that's certainly true of his layout in Virginia Beach, too. There are five sets of tees that'll shave off as much distance as you'd like, and the shorter shots don't just save yardage-they're easier, by and large, because you'll have greatly improved angles and sight lines.
Most holes have generous fairways, and there're usually a few reasonable driving options presented.
There's also an interesting story behind the building of the course. We're fast becoming known as a first-rate golf destination, and the PGA Tour recognized that. Like its neighbor, Heron Ridge, the TPC site was formerly a corn and soybean farm, so it took a great deal of Mr. Dye's imaginative thinking to create something special. Much of the front nine is wide open, very much with a links style flavor. Much of the back nine works through beautifully mature trees.