Begay’s Magical 59
In 1998, Notah Begay III electrified The Dominion Club and the Korn Ferry Tour by carding the first-ever 59 in tour history, making golf headlines and cementing the course’s tournament legacy.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Dominion Club
Glen Allen, Virginia
Established
1992
Architect
Bill Love, Curtis Strange, Tom Clark
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,119 – 7,229 yds
The verdict
Tournament-Tested, Member-Focused Golf
The Dominion Club delivers a championship-scale test built for tournament pedigree and polished club experience. Expect strategic par 4s, reachable par 5s, and bent grass greens that reward precision. While not a national draw, it’s a must-play for those with access in Richmond’s west end.
Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery62
Conditioning83
Shot Variety74
Walkability64
Green Complexity71
Wow Factor69
Design Quality70
Don't miss
Look for the framed display commemorating Notah Begay III’s record-setting 59 before your round—a moment every club veteran still talks about.
At a glance
Quick facts
Pro Venues
Hosted 16 Korn Ferry Tour events
Bent Grass Greens
Fast, pure surfaces
1998 Tour 59
Notah Begay III shot 59 in competition
Tree-Lined Fairways
Mature, classic setting
Multiple Playoff Finishes
Produced dramatic sudden-death showdowns
Driving Range Renovation
Upgraded practice facilities in 2026
Multiple Charity Events
Host to Richmond fundraisers
The design
The architecture
The Dominion Club was conceived as a purpose-built, modern private club with tournament credentials—boasting length, shotmaking demand, and bent grass greens. Its routing weaves through treed corridors and subtly rolling terrain, accentuated by strategic doglegs, water features, and risk-reward opportunities on its par 5s. The fairways reward the bold but penalize the reckless, with the layout’s main defense coming from approach angles, pin placements, and flanking bunkers. The greens are large, with subtle slopes designed for pace rather than treachery—perfect for events and everyday play alike.
Strange, Love, and Clark delivered a classic member’s test—solid, versatile, and tailored for high-caliber tournament golf.
Defining features
- Champion-length par 72 with 7,229-yard Tour tees
- Bent grass greens prized for conditioning
- Tree-lined fairways and protected landing areas
- Strategic par 5s with real eagle chances
- Playable yet demanding for all skill levels
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Early Risk, Bold Reward
PAR
5
YARDAGE
526
The 526-yard par-5 second is an immediate scoring chance, inviting aggressive play after a safe opening hole. A precise tee shot unlocks the chance to reach in two, but fairway bunkering and subtle dogleg force careful calculation.
Play it smart
Lay up short of the hazards or attack with a long second—positioning is everything.
Where it bites
Miss left off the tee and you’ll battle a blocked angle, while aggressive shots that come up short face deep greenside bunkers.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching the short par-4 6th
Resist the urge to overpower—position trumps length here.
Second shot into the par-5 12th
Lay up smart to avoid bunkers and set a comfortable approach distance.
Playing the uphill 17th par 3
Trust your number and avoid going left—par is a win this late in the round.
Tee shot on the tree-lined 7th
Favor accuracy over distance; escaping with par is a strong result.
Club selection on par-3 3rd
Wind swirls can fool you—choose enough club to cover the false front.
Final approach on 18
Go for the win if it’s there, but know your yardages and don’t bring the water into play carelessly.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Meticulously maintained bent grass greens and tee boxes with consistent fairway presentation.
Pace
Member club pace—efficient, rarely crowded, but expect little tolerance for slow play.
Vibe
Traditional, reserved, and proud of its tournament legacy with a friendly member service culture.
Dress code
Collared shirts required; proper golf attire expected—private club standard.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring Your A-Game
Back tees require both length and control—work your driver and long irons in warm-up.
02
Brush Up on Etiquette
Club culture values pace and tradition; observe group spacing and attire standards.
03
Study the Greens
Practice putts on the quick bent grass surfaces; subtle breaks abound.
04
Review the Scorecard
Familiarize yourself with the long par 5s and target short fours for scoring.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1992
Course opens, designed by Bill Love, Curtis Strange, and Tom Clark
- 1993
First Korn Ferry Tour event held as Henrico County Open
- 1998
Notah Begay III shoots 59 in Buy.com Tour event
- 2002
Chad Campbell sets Richmond Open scoring record (263)
- 2008
Final Korn Ferry Tour event held at the club
- 2026
Driving range receives complete renovation
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Drama at the Richmond Open
The course became known for sudden-death finishes and epic Sunday charges, including Chad Campbell’s 263 tournament record that set the bar for aggressive play on these fairways.
A Modern Club’s Vision
Built from scratch in the early 1990s as Richmond’s answer to the new private-club wave, The Dominion Club was always intended as both championship arena and stylish community centerpiece.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Hosted back-to-back Korn Ferry/Nationwide Tour events for over a decade.
2
Site of the first 59 in Buy.com Tour history.
3
Clubhouse and range upgrades are a focal point for 2026.
4
The Dominion Club’s routing was purpose-built in the golf boom of the 1990s.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Richmond golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Independence Golf Club
Public
Top-rated public Tom Fazio design; must-play for visitors.
Royal New Kent Golf Club
Public
Dramatic, playable links-style test near Richmond.
Stonehouse Golf Club
Public
Strong resort-style layout in Williamsburg corridor.
The Club at Viniterra
Public
Excellent public play by the vineyards; fun for all.
Kinloch Golf Club
Private
Highly ranked, exclusive—one of Virginia’s finest if you can secure access.
Short Pump/Glen Allen for convenience to Dominion and top public options
Course DNA
If You Like The Dominion Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Woodmont Country Club
Rockville, MarylandConditioning
Why it matches: If The Dominion Club is your kind of course, Woodmont Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Coldstream Country Club
Cincinnati, OhioConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Coldstream Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to The Dominion Club.
Strong DNA Match7.7
The Players Club
Omaha, NebraskaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Players Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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