Golf Community Spotlight on Lansdowne

Last week I wrote about buying in a golf course community and it gave me the idea to highlight each community individually. With my experience from a golfer’s perspective, here’s my first shot (maybe pun intended?).

Lansdowne Resort opened in 1991 with 18 holes of championship golf designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The main attraction at the time was the resort’s spa, designed to lure you out for a relaxing weekend overlooking the Potomac River. Originally open to the public, the course is now for members and resort guests only. Of course if you have 100+ friends and want to book an outing you can do that, or maybe you just need to know one of the staff…

The Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course is perfect for a resort. The fairways are generous, greens are big and relatively flat, and there are only a couple of forced carries. Generally in good condition, its the only course in the area with Zoysia grass fairways. This type of grass goes dormant (turns light brown) during the winter and looks dead from a distance but plays fine. As part of  a $55 million renovation and expansion in 2004, holes 17 and 18 were re-done and much improved.

In 2005, Greg Norman added a 7332 yard par 72 monster course finishing with the hardest mile in golf (holes 15-18). I played in a Middle Atlantic PGA tournament there in 2010, my only time on the course so far, and was impressed. (For those that are curious, I posted an unremarkable 79 and finished 31st, not one of my finer moments.) Being a Greg Norman fan I think he designs courses that can fit anyone, just make sure you play from the correct set of tees. Norman also built a 9 hole short course named Sharkbite. The only club in the area with this feature, it’s ideal for juniors or for just working on your iron game.

One of the most impressive features at Lansdowne is the 45,000 square foot Clubhouse. It’s the nicest I’ve been in, next to Trump National but that is in another stratosphere, and features two country club style restaurants Pub 46 and Crooked Billet. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cold beverage on the patio and watching someone butcher the final hole worse than you did.

At the resort, swimming, tennis, and of course Spa Minerale are at your disposal. Also available are three dining options, Stonewalls Tavern, On The Potomac, and the Riverside Hearth. Heather & I had an amazing anniversary dinner a few years ago at the Riverside Hearth and I would definitely recommend it.

As for real estate, whether it’s the senior living at Leisure World, or a $1 million dollar plus home with a view of the Potomac,  Lansdowne offers something for everyone. Near the town center, you could buy a condo or a town home within walking distance of Harris Teeter and Starbucks. Away from the hub bub there are larger town homes with 2400+ square feet and 2-car garages or three thousand square foot patio homes on a tenth of an acre. Most single family homes are on at least two tenths of an acre and start at $550,000. Part of the HOA fees include basic cable, phone, and internet, although I’ve heard mixed reviews about the quality.

Want to know what your Lansdowne home is worth? Register for a free home value report. If it’s time to sell, we can help there too.

Thinking about buying in Lansdowne? Schedule an appointment and let’s go take a look.

Cheers,
Mike