50 Years of Golf, Family, & Community

Welcome

Hat Creek Golf Course is a warm, family-friendly destination where everyone is welcome to play golf, relax, and become part of our extended family. Whether you're a beginner looking for a comfortable place to learn, a family bringing the kids for a day of fun, or an experienced golfer looking to hone your skills, we have a place for you.

Our Story

Our story began in 1975 when a tobacco farm was transformed into the golf course you know today. As Grandma Glennie often recalls, "I didn't like working in tobacco, and when the market started drying up, I couldn't wait to get out. I had no idea what we would do next."

That's when Grandpa James started talking about building a golf course. At the time, there wasn't another course within 30 miles, and hardly anyone in the community knew how to play. He called in experts to test the soil—the most crucial element for a quality course. When the soil samples returned, the agriculture specialist from Virginia Tech was so impressed with the nutrient profile that he personally delivered the news: this land was ideal for a golf course.

With that encouragement, Grandpa James and a friend rented a bulldozer and began clearing land and building "push up" greens. A few years after opening, a tractor accident put Grandpa James in the hospital for two months, which is when their son Bill stepped in to take over operations.

Over the next 15 years, Bill redesigned eight of the nine greens, making Hat Creek a VSGA certified golf course with an official slope and rating. Today, hole #8 is the only original hole remaining from when the course first opened. As Bill grew the club business and Grandma Glennie expanded the food service, they eventually built the 4,000 square foot pro shop that serves as our clubhouse today.