Victoria National Golf Club

"Terry Friedman, the owner of what would become Victoria National Golf Club, knew what he wanted from the outset: a unique course that would be worthy of national recognition the day it opened and that could host major competitions. While many owners have a similar dream, the difference is that Friedman methodically went about achieving it.<br><br> First, Friedman scoured the middle regions of the United States looking for unique property. The process was slow and thorough as he appreciated that the site would ultimately dictate a large part of the project's success. He finally found what he was looking for near Evansville in the southern part of Indiana - a former strip mining operation. From there, he brought in his friend Tom Fazio and they went to work.<br><br> As a result of their existing friendship, Fazio devoted plenty of personal, on-site time to this project. With the owner pushing him to make the most of the course's rugged setting, Fazio was free to utilize as he best saw fit the deep lakes, ravines and hills that strewn the 400 acre property.<br><br> Fazio deserves significant credit for his routing, as it seamlessly incorporates the features from the ceased mining activities into the design of the course. Lakes were created in the strip mines when the digging eventually reached underground springs and Fazio uses the water to create a number of interesting playing angles. How much is the golfer willing to bite off on the diagonal carry off the 2nd and 4th tees? Is he willing to throw his approach to the back hole locations on the 9th green, the back of which is surrounded by water? Can the golfer avoid the lake on the left of the one shot 11th by using the right to left slope by the green? Is the golfer willing to flirt with the water on the right of the 17th and 18th in order to have the easiest angle/shot into the respective greens?<br><br> In the end, Fazio and Friedman created a course that reflected its environment - rough around the edges. With only 27 acres of fairway, the course requires good golf, and a low round is immensely satisfying. Another area where Friedman's influence is felt is that he believes golf is a walking game, and there are numerous trails from green to tee and from tee to fairway that make Victoria National a sheer delight to walk. In addition, Friedman has established a caddie program that the members have embraced."--GolfClubAtlas.com