Last Update :1/18/2013

The Homestead Receives NGCOA's Highest Award

NGCOA Names The Homestead’s Cascades Course Jemsek
Winner for Golf Course Excellence

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 16, 2013) – The Cascades Course at The Homestead resort in Hot Springs, Va., has been named the winner of the NGCOA’s 2013 Jemsek Award for Golf Course Excellence.

The NGCOA will present the award, which recognizes courses that are widely known for their superior quality and worldwide appeal, on Feb. 6 at its 2013 Annual Conference in San Diego.

The Cascades Course opened in 1923 on a plot of land deep in the Allegheny Mountains that some said was unsuited for golf. But course architect William Flynn turned the rugged terrain into a course that has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open, the Women’s Amateur, the Curtis Cup and the U.S. Men’s Amateur in addition to more than 200 Virginia state championship events.

The course is not long by today’s standards, measuring 6,600 yards and playing to a par 70. But looks, as so many players have learned over the years, can be deceiving. The Cascades’ sloping fairways and tricky approaches to pitched greens were even a test for Sam Snead, the first head professional at The Homestead. “When you finish playing The Cascades Course, you’re going to have to clean all 14 clubs,” Snead once said.

The NGCOA also will recognize winners of the Award of Merit for long-term contributions to the game, the Don Rossi Award for significant contributions to the NGCOA, the Champion Award for service to course owners at the state level, the Player Development Award for success in attracting new players to the game and the Paul Porter Award for commitment, service and leadership to a chapter or international affiliate. The winner of the Course of the Year Award also will be announced during the awards ceremony.

The NGCOA’s Annual Conference is the golf industry’s largest gathering of owners and operators of daily fee, private, resort and municipal courses. The conference, which will be held Feb. 3-8, offers educational and networking opportunities and guest speakers. NGCOA members and non-members can register for the conference at www.ngcoa.org/conference.

The conference occurs in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, Feb. 6-7, at the San Diego Convention Center. The show, which is presented by the NGCOA and GCSAA, showcases the golf industry’s latest products and services throughout an expansive exhibit area and offers a wide range of educational opportunities.

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