THE RIVER REPORT
PETE DYE RIVER COURSE OF VIRGINIA TECH
YOUR CLUB
HOURS OF OPERATION
PRESTON’S RESTAURANT*
Monday I CLOSED
Tuesday I CLOSED
Wednesday I 11:00am - 4:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 4:00pm)
Thursday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm)
Friday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm)
Saturday I 11:00am - 8:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 8:00pm)
Sunday I 11:00am - 4:00pm (Bar 10:00am - 4:00pm)
GOLF SHOP
Monday-Thursday I 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday-Sunday I 8:00am - 5:00pm
PRACTICE FACILITIES
Open 30 minutes prior to first tee time
Closes at dusk
CLUB NUMBERS
Main Office Golf Shop
Restaurant
Special Events
CLUB CONTACTS
CLUBHOUSE AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Michael Abraham | General Manager mabraham@petedyerivercourse.com
Fran Davis | Business Manager fdavis@petedyerivercourse.com
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Anastasia Kramer I Executive Chef chef@petedyerivercourse.com
Kari Kendall I Front of House & Catering Manager foh@petedyerivercourse.com
GOLF
Michael Abraham | PGA Director of Golf mabraham@petedyerivercourse com
DJ Shively | Assistant Golf Professional dj shively@petedyerivercourse com
GROUNDS
Greg Caldwell | Golf Course Superintendent greg.caldwell@petedyerivercourse.com
THE CORNER OFFICE
Dear Members,
We are slowly inching our way towards spring. As I sit here writing this article (February 19), snow is falling. Insert the ‘shake my head’ emoji. Winter will have to end eventually, and when it does, watch it! The staff has been working so hard to get The River Course ready for the season. We have a big year planned on and off the golf course.
Keep an eye out for a ‘Ribbon Cutting Ceremony’ when we do get all 18 holes back open. We are going to treat this as a grand reopening to celebrate the efforts of the staff along with our newly reconstructed bunkers and three reconstructed greens
March will also bring a revised menu to the restaurant We’ve brought back some fan favorites along with some new additions to the appetizer and sandwich sections of the menu
I’m also excited to be taking fourteen of our members on a McConnell Golf Trip in March. Our Assistant Golf Professional, DJ, will be joining us as we play four of the McConnell courses in North Carolina. We are so blessed to be a part of the McConnell group, and we are looking forward to being able to show some of our members the high-quality golf courses that are in our own portfolio.
April brings three member golf events along with several Clubhouse events, in which we’ll touch base on later in this newsletter Let’s all think positively here and put the snow gear away, dust off those golf clubs, clean the spikes, stock the golf bag and get ready for a wonderful season!
Michael Abraham, PGA Master Professional General Manager / Director of Golf
The Pete Dye River Course mabraham@petedyerivercourse com
ON THE LINKS
Here’s to hoping the cold weather is behind us In the next two months we will begin our tournament schedule for the year Our first event will be the Hokie Ball Tournament held on Saturday, April 5th Teams will be comprised of three players Player 1 will start with the “Hokie Ball ” The other 2 players will play the hole as a scramble The team score will be the Hokie Ball score plus the 2-man scramble score Every hole, the Hokie Ball will rotate to the next player If the Hokie Ball is lost, then the team will take a double bogey score for the remaining holes but will play as a 3-man scramble for the rest of the tournament Prizes will be awarded for the best scramble score and best combined score The next event we have is our Master’s par 3 Tournament This will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at 5pm As it has been in previous years, we will play 9 holes as unique par 3’s
To round off April, we will have our Member-Member Championship Held on April 25-27, the tournament will consist of five 9-hole matches Friday evening, after the round, we will have dinner at 7:30 Sunday after the final matches, we will have lunch and then immediately go back to complete the shootout
In other news, we are still awaiting parts for our trolley to take clubs from the starters stand to the cart area. If all goes well, we hope to have this reopened in the March/April timeframe. We will also have a new, onepiece range mat installed on the driving range. This will allow for more hitting space when we do have to move off the grass. Finally, be on the lookout for Titleist and Call away fitting events coming up in the next couple of months.
Thank you all, and I look forward to seeing you on the course!
DJ Shively
Assistant Golf Professional dj.shively@petedyerivercourse.com
Join the WGA
Our Women’s Golf Association returns for its second season!
$25 to join if you are a PDRC Member
$40 to join if you are not a PDRC Member
We have weekly 18-hole and 9hole groups, along with access to playing in the Blue Ridge Women’s Tour and Roanoke Valley Women’s Tour events.
April Golf Events
April 5 - Hokie Ball April 9 - Master’s Par 3 Shootout April 25-27 - Member-Member
February
March
April
June
July
August
Pete Dye River Course
2025 Golf Schedule
8 – Super Bowl Golf Tournament
3-4 - Aerification 5 – Hokie Ball
9 – Master’s Par 3 Shootout
25-27 – Member-Member
3-4 - Aerification
28 – Poker Golf
10-12 - Men’s Member/Guest
9-10 – Club Championship
18-19 - Aerification
September 20 - Ryder Cup
November 28 - Turkey Shootout
*Some events are subject to change
Thursday Night Men’s League
May 8
May 15
June 12
June 19
June 26
July 17
July 24
July 31
August 7
August 1 4
All times starting at 5:30pm Weekly formats!
Friday Co-Ed Golf
May 16
May 23
June 13
June 20
August 1
August 8
August 29
September 5
September 12
All times starting at 5:30pm Weekly formats!
TURF TALK
Proper mower maintenance is crucial for effective spring turfgrass care on golf courses, as it ensures smooth operation, clean cuts, and healthy grass growth. In spring, after the turfgrass has been dormant during the winter, it’s essential to perform a series of checks and maintenance tasks to prepare it for the growing season.
Cleaning and Inspection: Begin by thoroughly cleaning the mower to remove grass clippings, dirt, and debris that have accumulated over the winter. Check for any damage or wear, especially around the blades, belts, and engine. Inspect the mower's frame and wheels for any signs of rust or damage that might affect its operation.
Blade Sharpening: Sharp blades are critical for achieving clean cuts and reducing stress on turfgrass. Dull blades can tear grass, leading to ragged edges that make the turf more vulnerable to disease and stress. Sharpen the blades or replace them if they show significant wear. Check for proper blade alignment to ensure even cutting.
Oil and Fluid Levels: Check and change the engine oil, as old or dirty oil can lead to inefficient engine performance and increased wear. Also, inspect the air filter and replace it if it’s clogged or damaged. Ensure the mower has the correct fuel mixture, and check the fuel filter for any blockages.
Tire Pressure: Proper tire pressure is essential for even cutting and preventing ruts or uneven grass growth. Check the tire pressure and adjust it according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Adjustments and Calibration: Verify that the cutting height is set correctly for the season. Different turf types and growth stages may require different cutting heights, so adjust the mower's deck to the recommended height for spring growth. This ensures the grass is not cut too short, which can stress the plant and encourage weed growth.
Lubrication: Lubricate moving parts, including the wheels, axles, and pivot points, to reduce friction and prevent wear during operation. Proper lubrication ensures smoother operation and extends the mower's lifespan.
In summary, spring mower maintenance involves cleaning, sharpening blades, checking fluids, adjusting tire pressure, setting the correct cutting height, and lubricating components. Regular upkeep ensures the mower operates efficiently, promoting healthy turfgrass growth and improving the overall appearance of the golf course.
Regards, Greg Caldwell Superintendent greg caldwell@p
WHAT’S COOKIN’?
It’s that time of the year; it’s spring, well, sort of, Punxsutawney Phil predicted a slightly longer winter! Hopefully the warm weather comes sooner rather than later We have a couple of holidays and special events coming up these next few months; we will be featuring a specialty menu for St Patrick's Day and a buffet for Easter brunch. So, we have a drinking holiday and a family holiday; it’s the best of both worlds! We are excited to see you all for these events.
Anastasia Kramer
Executive Chef
chef@petedyerivercourse com
Upcoming Events
March 15 - St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 20 - Wine Dinner
April 11 - Movie Night on the Lawn
April 20 - Easter Brunch
April 25 - Tap Takeover
Well, spring is coming…hopefully. After what has seemed like an unending January and February of snow and bitter cold, the weather will eventually get into golf mode Our staff is gearing up for a very busy, very successful season Excitement is building in the restaurant for a new refreshing menu, great tap takeovers, and enjoying some long-awaited patio dining. Music will be coming around pretty soon, so get your dancing shoes on. Reservations are always welcomed but not required. If you have questions or need help planning your next event, I am here to help. Please reach out anytime if you have questions, comments, or suggestions. My door is always open.
Spring & Easter for my family was always with extended family Dozens of cousins and their families gathered at my grandparents after church Tons of food, laughter, and games outside running through the yard My grandfather was utiful flowe stop and a his is proba nd he alway or my grand appy sprin
Kari K Front foh@
and her brother on Easter at her Grandparents
Kari
OF THE MONTH...
MEMBER OF THE MONTH BILL CARPER
PDRC:Howlonghaveyoubeenamember?
Bill: I’ve been a full-time member since 2009, and several years prior as a non-resident member. I remember the clubhouse being a trailer on the top of the hill
PDRC:What‘syourfavoriteholeatTheRiver?
Bill: The 18th hole is my favorite It’s a challenge but if I can hit the cart path I gain an extra 40-50 yards!
PDRC:What’syourfavoritegolfcourse,thatyou’veeverplayed?
Bill: My favorite course is Fisher’s Island, located in New York
PDRC: Whoisinyourdreamfoursome?
Bill: I’d love to play with Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and Arnold Palmer. Most days I have to settle with Bobby Swain, Pete Beller and Elvan Peed, which isn’t a bad group either!
PDRC:What’syourfavoritedrinktomakebehindthebar?
Dan: My favorite drinks to make are Martini’s. Make sure to stop in and try one!
PDRC: We all know you as ‘Raider Dan’ because of your passion for the Las Vegas Raiders. What’s your favorite memory as a Raiderfan?
Dan: I got to meet Charles Woodson in person That was really amazing!
COOKIES OF THE MONTH
MARCH
APRIL
Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies by William Tew, Executive Chef at Wilson Country Club
Cream Cheese Cashew Cookis by John Crawford, Executive Chef at Raleigh Country Club
INSTRUCTION
A new golf season is upon us! For those that don’t have access to an indoor simulator, you’ll be pulling the clubs out of the garage, dusting them off, going through the golf bag, and finding who knows what inside of it! A few pointers to get ready for the season.
First, check your physical well-being. Are you ready to swing the club? The golf swing can put some pressure on different areas of your body, so it’s a good idea to stretch before swinging the club. Doing exercises that will loosen up your hamstrings, strengthen your core, loosen up your back, and get your arms and shoulders stretched out is imperative to do prior to swinging at 100% Nothing worse than injuring yourself before the season even gets started!
In the early part of the season, we get flooded with the new equipment from golf’s top manufacturers. The ‘best’ technology is being introduced in the latest driver, the most forgiving irons, wedges that will make the ball spin like crazy, and putters that are sure-fire guarantees to drain putts. As enticing as that is, remember, there isn’t a
piece of equipment out there that can shave THAT many strokes off your game. At the end of the day, your swing hasn’t changed because you just bought a $700 driver. Your short game yips haven’t gone away because you bought the newest wedge.
What am I getting at here? Take A Lesson If a golfer were to invest that same $700 they were going to spend on a new driver into a series of lessons, think about how much more knowledge they would gain about their own swing, their own mental makeup, their own tendencies, and how to better play and manage the game Even if you don’t want to invest a large sum of money into a package, take one lesson after you’ve hit several buckets to shake some of the rust off Having an early ‘check-up’ with your local PGA professional is a great way to start the season off on the right foot. Why begin the season with the same old bad habits from last year? Take a lesson, learn about your own game, and how you can improve. That knowledge is way more valuable than the latest item on the Golf Digest ‘Hot List for 2025.’.
There are three members of the instructional team at The River Course and we’d all enjoy the opportunity to help you improve!
Calling all Junior Golfers! The 2025 schedule for Blue Ridge has been announced. Please get these dates on your calendars if your juniors would like to play on the Tour. I cannot recommend the Tour more for the experience they provide, and I'm grateful to be a part of that team as well. Registration begins March 3rd, and you can register at brjgt.com.
June 8 - Golf By The Rules at Fincastle (Bluefield, VA)
June 16 - The Virginian Golf Club (Bristol, VA)
June 23 - Great Oaks Country Club (Floyd, VA)
June 30 - Draper Valley Golf Club (Draper, VA)
July 8 - Pete Dye River Course of VT (Radford, VA)
July 15 - The Greenbrier - Greenbrier Course (White Sulphur Springs, WV)
July 30 - Tour Championship at Fincastle (Bluefield, VA)
Save The Date: Summer Camps
June 9-13, June 23-27, July 28-August 1 -
For more information on camps, please visit pgajuniorgolfcamps.com or contact Nick Boyea at Nick@Op36golf.com
PDRC buzz
Never miss out on a club event, the latest McConnell Golf news or the chance to share your member experience Stay connected to Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech and McConnell Golf on social media and join the conversation today @petedyerivercourse @mcconnellgolf @rivercourseofvt
Introducing The Club Connection, where we bring together the stories, experiences, and values that make McConnell Golf truly unique Whether you're discovering new amenities, learning about upcoming events, or discovering more about the people who make our community special, The Club Connection is where our shared passion for golf and lifestyle comes to life
@chefheadbanger Pretty solid view after work today.
Greg Caldwell Obligatory snow picture.