The Country Club of Virginia - James River

The Country Club of Virginia's James River Course, originally known as Tuckahoe Creek, was designed by William S. Flynn and opened in 1928. Flynn, who worked extensively in the Philadelphia region and is known for courses like Shinnecock Hills' restoration and Philadelphia Cricket Club, brought his characteristic strategic design philosophy to this Richmond layout. The course sits on rolling terrain along the James River, taking advantage of the natural topography that defines much of Virginia's Piedmont region. Flynn's routing makes use of elevation changes and the property's wooded character, with holes that move through corridors of mature hardwoods and across open, undulating ground. The design emphasizes strategic options from the tee and approach play that rewards precision over pure distance. Green complexes feature the subtle contouring and thoughtful bunkering typical of Flynn's work, requiring careful club selection and execution on approaches. The James River Course has served as one of two championship layouts at The Country Club of Virginia, complementing the club's Westhampton Course. The club has hosted numerous regional and state championships over the decades, and the Flynn design has maintained its reputation as a strong test of golf within Virginia's private club community. The course underwent restoration work in recent years to preserve Flynn's original design intent while adapting to modern playing conditions. The Country Club of Virginia maintains a traditional private club atmosphere, with membership drawn largely from Richmond's established families and business community. The club's facilities and dining reflect the formal Southern country club traditions common to the region's older institutions.