A St. Andrews Blessing
In honor of its inaugural season, the club 'baptized' its first tee using water brought over from the Old Course at St. Andrews, shipped by TWA airlines—a piece of Scottish history for a new American club.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
International Country Club
Fairfax, Virginia
Established
1961
Architect
Ault, Clark & Associates (1961), Tom Clark (2002 renovation), Brian Ault (1991, 2003), Bill Love (1991), Joel Weiman (2024–2026 renovation)
Access
Private – members & guests
Par
Par 71
Length
3,253 – 6,834 yds
The verdict
Private Fairfax Gem, Modernized
International Country Club offers a rolling, tree-lined parkland challenge anchored by demanding par 4s, strategic par 5s, and refined bunkering. The course's 2020s renovation has elevated its playability and visuals without losing its classic private-club charm. Serious golfers will appreciate the shot values and the club's enduring sense of tradition.
Course DNA
Difficulty
72
Scenery68
Conditioning80
Shot Variety74
Walkability68
Green Complexity76
Wow Factor66
Design Quality71
Don't miss
Before teeing off, spot the ceremonial St. Andrews water marker near the first tee—a quirky piece of club lore few visitors realize connects the course directly to golfing’s spiritual home.
At a glance
Quick facts
First tee 'baptized' with St. Andrews water
1961 club opening featured a St. Andrews link.
Distinctive flat-bottom bunkers
2024–26 renovation added bold, flat-faced bunkers throughout.
Longest hole
No. 16, Par 5, 601 yards
Classic private-club etiquette
Traditional member experience with strong local roots.
Renovated by Tom Clark and Joel Weiman
Recent work modernized playability and style.
Parkland layout set in rolling land
Sweeping fairways and mature hardwoods define the look.
Founded from a unique 'town & suburban' split
Evolved from a two-site club to a Fairfax classic.
Proximity to Dulles International Airport
Named for its location near DC's gateway.
The design
The architecture
International Country Club proudly wears its parkland heritage—a course shaped by Ault, Clark & Associates in the early 1960s, with fairways framed by mature hardwoods and just enough undulation to challenge without punishing. Thanks to a series of thoughtful renovations (including a recent overhaul by Joel Weiman), the layout now pairs broad, walkable corridors and sharp new bunkers with greens that subtly test your approach precision. Expect a member-focused routing with enough length, variety, and refinement to satisfy experienced players, while newer touches—raised greens, distinctive flat-bottom bunkers—heighten both playability and visual drama. From its risk-reward par 5s to the string of strong long par 4s, this is a classic American club with a distinctly modern edge.
Ault, Clark & Associates’ legacy remains in the course’s parkland roots, while recent rework by Tom Clark and Joel Weiman keeps it relevant for the modern player.
Defining features
- Classic parkland routing through mature Virginia woodland
- Flat-bottom, visually striking bunkering from 2024–26 renovation
- Raised, well-contoured bent grass greens
- Clever mix of reachable and demanding par 5s
- Strong use of rolling land for driving and approach tests
- Balanced demands on both tee shots and iron play
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
Long Iron Crucible
PAR
3
YARDAGE
219
The fourth is a stern mid-round challenge: a par 3 stretching to 219 yards from the Gold tees, where holding the shallow green against wind and distance tests even skilled long-iron players. Precision, not aggression, is the prevailing success strategy here.
Play it smart
Club for center-green, favoring a high, controlled shot to avoid the well-protected surrounds; missing short or right can leave a nasty recovery.
Where it bites
Deep bunkers and a sloping green mean that long or wide misses quickly turn into bogey or worse.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot on the 471-yard par 5 1st hole
Focus on accurate positioning rather than max distance—avoid the urge to overpower and set up a straightforward second.
Approach to the raised green on No. 4
Take enough club to reach center, playing for a high, soft landing to counter the firm surfaces.
Second shot into No. 15, risk-reward par 5
Weigh the temptation to go for it in two against the lurking front bunkers; prudent layup is often rewarded.
Tee shot on No. 7, demanding long par 4
Favor the left-center fairway to open up the green and avoid tree trouble; conservative accuracy over aggression pays off.
Back-nine fatigue starting at No. 16
Play three deliberate shots to keep the ball in good positions; don’t gamble with the marathon par 5.
Par putts on the contoured greens
Give yourself uphill looks whenever possible; downhill or sidehill putts can get away quickly on the renovated surfaces.
Final approach on 18 under clubhouse watch
Take an extra second to calm nerves and trust your club—clubhouse spectators expect a confident finish.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superb private-club conditioning, with finely maintained bent grass fairways, new bunkering, and smooth greens reflecting recent renovations.
Pace
Standard member-club pace (expect 4–4.5 hours); outings or events may play a bit slower but daily play moves briskly.
Vibe
Classic, tradition-rich private-club atmosphere—polished yet welcoming; exclusivity with respectful etiquette.
Dress code
Traditional country-club attire: collared shirts, no denim, soft spikes; standard private-club expectations apply.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Practice short irons and long irons
The par 3s are long and often play into the wind; your scoring depends on landing precise long-iron shots and sharp approaches.
02
Review your lag putting
Recent renovations have made the greens faster and trickier—dial in distance control from 30–40 feet during warmup.
03
Bring proper attire
Plan for classic country club dress—collared shirt, tailored shorts or slacks, and proper shoes—so you fit right in with the membership.
04
Hydrate for long walks
While walkable, the rolling terrain can add up, especially during steamy DC summers; stay hydrated for best performance.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1961
International Country Club opens in Fairfax as a new 18-hole course, designed by Ault, Clark & Associates.
- 1962
Member calls it 'the most terrific golf course on the Eastern Seaboard—and nobody knows about it.'
- 1967
Groundbreaking for the club’s first dedicated Fairfax clubhouse.
- 1968
Club operations fully move to Fairfax and the clubhouse opens.
- 1991
Major renovation by Brian Ault, Bill Love, and Tom Clark.
- 2002
Tom Clark modernizes the course while preserving classic character.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Born from Bankruptcy, Built on Ambition
International CC’s origins trace to the bankruptcy of White Oak Country Club, leading to a bold new chapter as a two-site 'town and suburban' club before finding its permanent roots in Fairfax.
Modern Makeover, Classic Feel
The major 2020s renovation introduced signature flat-bottom bunkers, elevated greens, and sleeker lines, giving members a layout that feels fresh yet respects its heritage.
The Airport Connection
The club's name and early story are deeply intertwined with the planning of Dulles International Airport; its location symbolized postwar optimism for the DC area.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The first tee was ceremonially doused with water flown in from St. Andrews—a nod to golf’s Old World roots.
2
The course is named for its proximity to Dulles International Airport, not international members.
3
It originally operated from both a 'town' (Falls Church) and 'suburban' (Fairfax) site before consolidating.
4
The bunkers’ new flat-bottom, squared style debuted with the latest renovation—a modern take on classic hazards.
5
Some club members consider the late 1990s and early 2000s updates the start of a 'second golden age' for the club.
Build the trip
If you're making a capital-region golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Penderbrook Golf Club
Public
Close to ICC and bookable by anyone, this course offers a playable everyday option for groups mixing public and private rounds.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
Private
The architecturally pedigreed home of multiple Presidents Cups and major events—if you can get on, it’s a D.C.-area bucket list round.
University of Maryland Golf Course
Public
A reliable, university-managed championship course just over the border, open to all and kept in tournament shape.
TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm
Private
Regularly hosts PGA Tour events and provides a serious tournament test for low-handicap players—impresarios love it.
The Courses at Andrews
Public (military/DoD ID)
A 54-hole facility on Andrews Air Force Base for those with access—value, variety, and American history all in one stop.
Fairfax, Reston, or Tysons keep you central for both daily play at ICC and local public or private options.
Course DNA
If You Like International Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Green Valley Country Club
Lafayette Hill, PennsylvaniaWhy it matches: Green Valley Country Club is a natural next stop after International Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Westchester Hills Country Club
White Plains, New YorkConditioning
Why it matches: If International Country Club is your kind of course, Westchester Hills Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.7
Myers Park Country Club
Charlotte, North CarolinaWhy it matches: Myers Park Country Club is a natural next stop after International Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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