Bristol, Virginia, United States: Troon has been selected to manage The Virginian and its sister property, Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards.

Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, will oversee golf, club and food and beverage operations as well golf course agronomy and membership marketing.

Set in the Highlands of Virginia, between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the clubhouse and golf course are the centrepieces of The Virginian luxury community. The Tom Fazio-designed course opened in 1992 and is ranked as one the State’s top golf courses. Fazio made great use of the area’s pastoral setting and distant views in designing the 7,025-yard course. 

As an added feature, the practice facility is complete with a practice range, short game/bunker areas, massive practice green and three practice holes.

“The Virginian and Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards are absolutely gorgeous properties,” said Matt Hurley, President of Troon’s Honours Golf division and operations lead. “We are honoured to be associated with such a wonderful development and community. Our team is looking forward to working with the Nicewonder Group to help enhance these already unique properties, and with the members of The Virginian as we bring added value to their membership through programmes exclusive to Troon Privé club members.”

Kevin Nicewonder, Managing Member of the Nicewonder Group, said: “The Virginian and Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards are undergoing a period of unprecedented expansion and growth. We are excited to partner with Troon Privé to bring their expertise and guidance to us, so that together we can provide an incredible experience for members and guests. This is a perfect partnership of two of the most respected brands in the industry.”

The Virginian’s 44,000 square-foot clubhouse features a main dining room with a dry-stacked fieldstone fireplace at its centre, a cathedral ceiling and a newly-built 750 bottle capacity walk-in wine cellar with tasting area. Dinners are served in the formal Main Dining Room twice a week, while the new Twenty-two Bar & Grille is the epicentre of social gatherings as it features a circular bar and is available for members to enjoy days and evenings.

Dining is also available inside and outside on the verandas. The clubhouse also features an award-winning golf shop, a spectacular boardroom overlooking the back nine, and spacious men’s and ladies’ locker rooms.

A stone’s throw from the clubhouse is ‘The Round’, an open-air pavilion utilised for events and concerts. The club’s Swim, Racquet & Fitness Centre is complete with a Junior Olympic-size and a children’s pool, and four tennis courts (two clay and two hard surface), and features one of the top junior instruction programmes in the region and a growing pickleball following. Its fitness centre boasts the latest Nautilus and cardio-vascular equipment, and an outside playground for kids.

Adjacent to The Virginian is its 450-acre sister property, Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards which was founded in 2013. There you will find the 10-acre, award-winning Nicewonder Vineyards; a winery; a farmers’ market; livestock; and Taste, Wood-Fire Kitchen, an open-air restaurant that is open to the public and has spectacular views overlooking the vineyard and rolling hills of the farm.

Troon is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.