Photo courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg
Cliff Fleet, CEO and president of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, speaks at the recent opening of The Shoe golf course in Williamsburg.
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts recently unveiled The Shoe, the highly anticipated nine-hole, par-three course designed by golf architect Rees Jones.
Set within the iconic Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, The Shoe is about a 2 1/2- hour drive from Alexandria.
It marks the resort’s first new course in more than three decades and represents a bold evolution of the Colonial Williamsburg golf experience. With its compact footprint, shorter play times and welcoming design, the course offers a more accessible experience for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
“The Shoe was designed with intention – to offer a vibrant, flexible experience that complements our existing championship courses while reflecting how today’s players want to connect with the sport,” said Keith Jackson, vice president of hospitality at Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. “The course delivers something truly special, and we’re excited to welcome the community to enjoy it as part of the Golden Horseshoe experience.”
The addition expands the Golden Horseshoe portfolio to 45 holes of compelling play. Crafted by Rees Jones – known for his innovative and thoughtful approach to course architecture – The Shoe threads through a stunning landscape of one of the nation’s most picturesque golf destinations.
The official opening this summer is a significant milestone for Colonial Williamsburg Resorts, following a year of development, community engagement and careful design execution.
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.
