What The Media Say - The Highland Course

One of The Best New Courses In The U.S.

"It may be a hard place to get to, but it's a tough place to leave. When it's time to go, you're really reluctant."

--Donald Steel Golf Course Architect

Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Steel's signature touches are evident; deep bunkers and shaved-down green surrounds, making the ground game the key to your round. With every hole cinched by trees and multiple forced carries over ravines, plus ridge-top tees and gorgeous greens, it quickly becomes clear that getting to the course is only half the adventure.

--Joe Passov Golf Magazine

The property is stunning in its beauty, scope and vistas. The golf course flows naturally around the land and presents a stern test. I did find the holes varied in their challenges (sometimes difficult in mountain terrain) and fair in their presentation. I especially liked the use of slopes and cliffs as the penalty for missed shots rather than an abundance of mindless bunkers. Of course, the condition borders on pristine and the greens are phenomenal in size and roll. A marvelous course.

--Lenox Rawlings Winston-Salem Journal

Every once in a blue moon, comes an experience that totally exceeds one's expectations. Such occurrences are so rare that they simply overpower you. Well I got blown away. The perpetrator was an extraordinary beauty of a golf course. She left me totally mesmerized.

--Randy King Roanoke Times

One of the more wonderful golfing experiences I've ever had and I've been to a lot of places. You truly have a gem on your hands.
  
--David Droschak Triad Golf Today

I thought the course was one of the most beautiful settings of a golf course I've ever played. Many times on a mountain golf course with the varied terrain like The Highland Course, you would see a few bad holes where they are forced in places, this was not the case at Primland. The course is extremely well designed and maintained. In regards to the course I think it works well as a WOW resort course.

--Jay Allred Triangle Golf  Today

There's nothing more exciting than stumbling upon a new design that deserves fanfare. This is one of these rare finds.

--Dunlop White Triad Golf Today

Talk about hidden gems. The new Highland Course at Primland is a healthy dirt-road ride into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, part of an already well-established hunting and fishing preserve on the 14,000 acre property. It's worth the hike. Golfers can stalk birdies on the Donald Steel-designed course that rewards good play off the tee while rolling through elevation changes of 1,370 feet.

--Tom Bedell American Airlines' Celebrated Living

Those who know the game are raising the bar. Renowned links course designer Donald Steel has been busy lately. The Highland Course is part of the staggering expansion at the Primland Resort. Once designed solely for hunting, Primland is quickly turning into a full-service vacation destination with an emphasis on outdoor recreation. The layout sits nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, making it Steel's first links in the mountains.

--Larry Olmsted US Airways Magazine

The Donald Steel layout fidgets along a mountaintop, daringly close to canyon edges that produces two things: bodily harm if you slip and spectacular views, perhaps the best in Virginia golf. Words cannot do justice to the views the eye captures. The course is difficult and without question Donald Steel's finest work. This talented Scotsman applied his craft in the Virginia mountains with breathtaking results, creating a layout sure to become a classic.

--Virginia Golf Guide

It's quite a trek to The Highland Course, virtually hidden as it is in a wilderness heretofore the domain of loggers and hunters. Fairways hug ridge tops while greens teeter on the edge of a gorge. The putting surfaces have lots of movement without feeling tricked up. The playing corridors are tight and there are many demanding carries over ravines. Though it will one day be surrounded by a lodge and luxury homes, this will never be a track for retired duffers.

--Travel and Leisure Golf 10 Best New Courses in America