Colonial Williamsburg Resorts is breaking ground on The Shoe, its first new golf course in 33 years, and is inviting golfers and outdoor enthusiasts to join the celebration. The Shoe is a new nine-hole, par-three Golden Horseshoe golf course designed by legendary golf architect Rees Jones. The public is invited to a special groundbreaking ceremony at the Golden Horseshoe Gold Course on July 9 at 10 a.m. to mark this new era in golf at one of America’s most beloved golfing destinations.
Short courses are becoming increasingly popular nationwide. The National Golf Foundation reports that 50% of new course openings in the United States over the last decade have been nine-hole layouts.
Created by award-winning golf course designer Rees Jones, The Shoe offers a smaller footprint that promises a fresh and accessible golfing experience featuring shorter play times and broader accessibility. It’s perfect for quick outings with friends, active families who are pressed for time, and golfers stepping onto the greens for the first time.
“We spent a lot of time over the past year listening to our members and the community. The Shoe reflects their call for a short, player-friendly course that complements our existing golf offerings,” said Keith Jackson, Colonial Williamsburg’s vice president of Hospitality. “The Shoe has a physically smaller footprint, making the course easier to maintain and more enjoyable for guests looking to play a quick round.”
The addition of The Shoe to the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club expands the resort’s portfolio to 45 holes of championship golf. Set within the breathtaking scenery of the legendary Golden Horseshoe complex, The Shoe provides a unique golfing experience surrounded by mature trees and stunning views.
Construction will begin this month, with an opening planned in the summer of 2025. For more information about the course and to sign up for updates and invites, please visit colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/golf/theshoe.
Media contact: FINN Partners
CW@finnpartners.com
Phone: 646-931-3860
About The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation preserves, restores and operates Virginia’s 18th-century capital of Williamsburg. Innovative and interactive experiences highlight the relevance of the American Revolution to contemporary life and the importance of an informed, active citizenry. The Colonial Williamsburg experience includes more than 600 restored or reconstructed original buildings, renowned museums of decorative arts and folk art, extensive educational outreach programs for students and teachers and 18th-century inspired culinary options from historic taverns situated along historic Duke of Gloucester Street. Colonial Williamsburg Resorts complement the experience, offering guests five unique hotel properties including the iconic Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge-Autograph Collection, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites, the Griffin Hotel, and authentic 18th-century Colonial Houses. The resort offers a range of events and amenities including four historic taverns, 15 food and beverage outlets providing exquisite culinary experiences from casual to elegant dining, the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club soon to be featuring 46 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his son Rees Jones, a world-class full-service, Forbes Four-Star spa and fitness center, pools, meeting and flexible event spaces, and scenic gardens providing the perfect venue for weddings and special events. Merchants Square, built alongside the Historic Area in 1935 as one of the first planned shopping districts in the United States, features more than 40 specialty boutiques with products ranging from apparel to fine jewelry, art, specialty foods and gifts. Philanthropic support and revenue from admissions, products and hospitality operations sustain Colonial Williamsburg’s educational programs and preservation initiatives.