Glen Allen, Virginia
The Crossings Golf Club has emerged from its 2025–2026 restoration as the Richmond region’s most improved public-access classic. Expect an honest test with new Sunday Bermudagrass greens, smarter hazards, and a traditional Joe Lee feel—this is tournament-ready parkland golf at a price that welcomes all.
The Crossings is a quintessential Joe Lee parkland design, restored and revitalized for the modern era. Broadly tree-lined and defined by classic risk-reward corridors, water hazards, and traditional bunkering, the routing encourages strategic positioning to set up playable angles. The 2025–2026 renovations, including new Sunday Bermudagrass greens, reworked bunkers, and smarter drainage, have elevated both playability and challenge, honoring Lee's vision while meeting contemporary conditioning standards. This is authentic parkland golf with a newfound edge—neither cookie-cutter nor flashy, but genuinely improved and always honest.
Joe Lee specialized in accessible, playable routings that reward the thinking golfer, and The Crossings—especially post-restoration—exemplifies this subtle, enduring design ethos.
A strong opening par 5 where an accurate drive sets up a critical risk/reward decision: lay up safely short, or challenge the second landing zone to reach in two. The slight dogleg, flanking trees, and approach over water keep every swing honest.
Favor the left side on the tee for an open angle, but mind the fairway pinch on the layup—this is a classic three-shotter if you’re not striking it well.
Push too far right off the tee and tree trouble awaits; getting greedy on the second shot brings water and bunkers into play.
Consistently improved greens and updated turf; expect a true roll on the new Sunday Bermudagrass.
Generally steady, but can run slow on busy weekends—plan for 4:30+ if full tee sheet.
Friendly, welcoming public golf atmosphere; no private-club attitude.
Standard golf attire (collars required); relaxed public-course standards.
Recent drainage updates help, but after heavy rain some low spots can still play softer than expected.
Warm up on the full range—it’s usually uncrowded and a short walk from check-in.
A cart is available and not frowned upon, but this parkland course is walkable for the fit; be ready for some longer green-to-tee transfers.
Opened as Ethelwood Golf Course
Re-routed/reopened by Joe Lee as The Crossings Golf Club
Purchased by Henrico County EDA; major restoration planning begins
Final phase of restoration under McConnell Golf; master plan to maintain Joe Lee’s design while stretching yardage and updating infrastructure
The Crossings spent the early 2020s fighting outdated conditions and declining play, until Henrico County’s EDA swooped in with a bold $3 million rescue purchase. Suddenly, this tired classic found itself headed for a $10 million facelift and a shot at tournament-grade relevance.
Golfers here unknowingly traverse the grounds of the historic Half Sink area, where Civil War troops once clashed. Few public tracks can claim such a direct overlap of local lore and playable turf.
Despite infrastructure and turf upgrades, the modern Crossings proudly preserves the routing, balance, and playable lines Joe Lee envisioned in 1979. It’s a tribute to design that stands up—even as the grass, bunkers, and greens get a 21st-century reboot.
Post-restoration, the course will stretch to 7,400 yards from new championship tees in tournament setups.
The property’s previous incarnation as Half Sink Golf Course was partially lost to the construction of Interstate 295.
The greens feature Sunday Dwarf Bermudagrass—prized for smoother, more consistent surfaces.
Players walk in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers—the land overlays a local battlefield from the 1860s.
The Crossings is one of only a handful of Joe Lee public-access routings left in the Mid-Atlantic.
Dramatic pseudo-links architecture, must-play modern track
Solid Richmond daily-fee with broad fairways and fun greens
Well-rated new-era design, playable for all
Historic, top-tier local private experience if you can score an invite
Glen Allen/Innsbrook—quick access to The Crossings and major Richmond-area routes
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If The Crossings Golf Club is your kind of course, Canyata Golf Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in TPC Prestancia's own setting.
Why it matches: Country Club of Birmingham – West Course is a natural next stop after The Crossings Golf Club: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Community Sentiment
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