Arnold Palmer's Plantation Course
incorporates historical landmarks and
natural terrain
The Plantation Course
is an ideal resort course for the casual and less serious or physically ambitious golfer.
As such, it is a nice complement to the
River Course.
Yet, it has some stunning holes on it, with ravines, undulating fairways lined with dense forests, elevated greens, lovely ponds and streams, and a few wetland or environmental areas. Residential housing is very evident on this course, which starts from the main clubhouse and winds west of the River Course. The residences are tasteful ranging from modest size Cape Cod style homes and villas to luxurious 5- and 6-bedroom mansions. One such mansion is visible from the 16th fairway. Surrounded by opulent homes of the same ilk, it has an exterior not unlike the Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg.
Opened in 1985, the Plantation Course is the golf equivalent of a "lite lunch." It ranges from 4,800 yards from the red tees to 6,543 yards from the gold, and it is largely flat. The greens and green complexes don't present super difficult challenges and the fairways, though tree-lined for the most part, are wide enough to accommodate an occasional wayward shot. Holes 8 - 12, 17 and 18 are among the more memorable holes.
The short par 5 No. 8 is in the area of thick forest that is the most "pristine" on the course. A tall oak tree stands on the left edge of the fairway of this fine double dogleg hole. The front 9 finished with a short par 3 over a wetland area, and it calls for your camera, as the entire hole seems completely isolated from civilization in "wilderness."
Holes 10-12 continue to weave through some of the best terrain on the course site. The best hole on the course is arguably No. 11, a 436 straight-away behemoth lined in a setting straight out of the Leatherstocking Tales. Hole 12 is another short par 5 with a wetland area 40 yards in front of the green. The last house on your left as you approach the green is the new residence of native son and resort Tour pro Curtis Strange. Hole No. 7 is a longer version of No. 9 with a carry over a marsh to an elevated green, and No. 18 is a delightful 402-yard almost 90 degree dogleg right. 
Kingsmill Resort Golf
