
Algonkian Course
Algonkian Golf Course



About this course
Algonkian Golf Course occupies a wooded site along the Potomac River in Sterling, Virginia, roughly thirty miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Designed by Ed Ault and opened in the 1970s, the course operates as a public facility within the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority system. Ault, a prolific mid-Atlantic architect whose portfolio includes dozens of accessible daily-fee and municipal layouts, created a routing that works with the property's natural elevation changes and mature tree cover. The layout measures around 6,700 yards from the back tees and plays through rolling, heavily wooded terrain typical of the Virginia Piedmont. Several holes run near or along the Potomac, offering glimpses of the river and its wooded banks. The design emphasizes accuracy over length, with tree-lined fairways that reward placement and penalize wayward drives. Water comes into play on a handful of holes, and the greens feature modest undulation consistent with Ault's straightforward design philosophy. Algonkian serves a regional clientele drawn from the suburban communities of Loudoun and Fairfax counties. The course provides a traditional parkland experience within the Northern Virginia park system, balancing playability for recreational golfers with enough challenge to remain interesting for more accomplished players. Its riverside setting and mature landscaping distinguish it from flatter, more open public courses in the area.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in VA
Quick facts
- Location
- Sterling, VA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1962
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Ed Ault
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,909 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.7/125
- Course Vaults score
- 5.5
Getting there
The journey to Algonkian Golf Course begins at Washington Dulles International (IAD), a mere fifteen minutes east along the Dulles Toll Road and Route 7 corridor. The drive traces the outer edge of the capital's sprawl before easing into the more pastoral reaches of Loudoun County, where suburban density gives way to the wooded banks of the Potomac River. Algonkian sits tucked within Algonkian Regional Park, its entrance marked by a quiet turn off Cascades Parkway - a municipal gem that feels surprisingly removed from the hum of Northern Virginia, despite lying squarely within its commuter belt.

FAQ
Common questions about Algonkian
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Algonkian has a Course Vaults score of 5.5 out of 10 based on 16 logged golfers.
Algonkian was designed by Ed Ault.
Yes. Algonkian is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Algonkian is 72.
Algonkian plays 6,909 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Algonkian is 125.



