The Piankatank River Golf Club in Hartfield celebrated its 25th anniversary in business last Wednesday.
In 1996, then owners John and E.G. Fleet opened the club with only the first nine holes open to golfers, with the back nine opening in October. On Saturday, the course held a 25th Anniversary Celebration Tournament to mark the occasion.
When construction began in 1994, John Fleet said that he wanted the golf course to stand out from others. He said that in the 1990s, a lot of courses were opened and so many were similar in design.
Most had holes that were identical to each other which created the courses without character, he said. To avoid that, he made sure that no two holes on his course were alike.
Fleet said the front nine feature seven streams and springs along with dynamic changes in elevation. The back nine holes move to the river and were made to be a links style course. He said the 18 holes flow with the land instead of making the land conform to the course, which has garnered praise from players.
Along with a unique course, Fleet said it was their goal to make a course that was accessible to the average player. They did this by focusing on hospitality in order to make the course user-friendly. He said that making course accessibility was a significant part of what golf was missing at the time.
The clubhouse began construction in 1997 and its design fit with the Fleet brothers’ desire to have a golf course accessible to the average player. John said wanted a building that fit the land around it and found the design he wanted in a magazine. Since its completion the clubhouse has seen a number of additions, such as the back deck which is nicknamed Robin’s Deck after his daughter who was married on it.
Part of the course’s success comes from the community that frequents it. Fleet said he views the course as not belonging to one county but to all the surrounding counties. He said it was named the Piankatank River Golf Course because Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex all sit along the river. He said many of the most frequent golfers come from Gloucester and Mathews.
Forming relationships and seeing others do the same has been one of the most rewarding parts of running the course said Fleet. He said it’s surprising to see who meets who at the course.
One longstanding relationship that Fleet made is with course superintendent Donald Fauntleroy, who has been working there since the year construction began. He said Fauntleroy’s son also joined the course and now works as assistant superintendent.