GOLF
Our most beloved amenity, the James River Country Club Golf Course.
MEET THE PROS
Tim Lewis, PGA
Director of Golf
Tim Lewis is a PGA professional with over 30 years of experience dedicated to promoting the game of golf.
Throughout his career, Tim has held various teaching and Head Professional positions at prestigious golf courses across the United States, showcasing his expertise and commitment to the sport. One notable aspect of Tim's career is his role as a Teaching Professional at Eaglewood Golf Course at Langley Airforce Base in Hampton, Virginia since 2018. This position demonstrates his ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and provide high-quality instruction to golfers of all skill levels. His past experiences at Virginia Beach Golf Management and Windermere Golf Learning Center further solidify his reputation as a knowledgeable and skilled instructor in the industry.
In addition to his teaching roles, Tim has also excelled as a Head Golf Professional at Stoneybrook West Golf Course in Winter Garden, Florida, and Crimson Ridge Golf Course in Fort Wayne Indiana. These leadership positions highlight his ability to manage operations effectively while maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction and player development. Furthermore, Tim's involvement in various PGA championships showcases his competitive spirit and dedication to improving his own skills as a golfer.
Tim's commitment to ongoing education is evident through his enrollment in the PGA of America Certified Coaching Program. This program allows him to stay current with industry trends and best practices, ensuring that he can continue providing top-notch instruction to his students. Additionally, Tim's certification as a PGA HOPE Certified Instructor demonstrates his dedication to serving wounded warriors/veterans through specialized instruction tailored to their needs.
As Director of Golf at James River Country Club, Tim aims to leverage his wealth of experience to elevate the golf operation and enhance the overall experience for Club members. His track record of success in organizing tournaments, clinics, and camps for men, women, juniors, and seniors underscores his versatility as an instructor and organizer within the golf community. With over 2500 individual lessons given since 1996, Tim has proven himself as a valuable asset in helping golfers improve their skills while fostering a love for the game. Tim's extensive background in teaching, coaching, and tournament play make him an invaluable resource within the golf industry. His dedication to promoting the game of golf and supporting players of all ages and abilities demonstrates his passion for the sport and commitment to excellence in all aspects of his work.
Rob Wilmans
Director of Golf & Grounds Maintenance
Rob is our Director of Golf and Grounds Maintenance. He is responsible for all for the grounds in the property including the golf course, clubhouse, tennis, pool, entrance road, and all other turf and landscape areas at the Club. He is also responsible for the facilities management which includes all of the maintenance, repair, and housekeeping of the buildings and structures here at JRCC.
Rob came to us as the golf course superintendent in 2015. Rob has over 25 years’ experience as a golf course superintendent in Southeast Virginia. During this period, he has volunteered his time working on the Board of Director’s in both the local and state Golf Course Superintendent Organizations. He served as president of the Tidewater Turf Grass Association and the external Vice-President of the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association.
In 2017, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the VGCSA. This award is presented to a member who has given his time unselfishly in promoting golf course management and unification of the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents. While at JRCC Rob has overseen several projects at the club, including the re-build of all of the bunkers on the golf course; creation of the back lawn for outside events; clearing and logistics for the indoor tennis facility: new air conditioning and heating at the clubhouse; and a clean-up of the grounds maintenance compound.
Conditioning of the course and landscape areas has been elevated to compete with any other club in our region. Rob lives in the neighborhood with his wife, Jamie and American Bulldog, Ruby. Ruby comes to work every day to eliminate the property of squirrels. Needless to say, it is a work in progress since she never catches any!
The golf course at James River Country Club is a classic design from the Golden Age of Architecture in America.
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The par 5, 18th Hole is ranked one of the top finishing holes in the state of Virginia. A narrowed fairway from flanking trees on both sides combined with an expansive James River framing the backdrop to an unreachable green by most golfers, makes everyone's round a once in a lifetime feel.
While keeping with the genius of McMenamin routing, in 2008, golf course architect John LaFoy skillfully developed an improvement plan that addressed contemporary issues of environmental impact, evolution in golf equipment, technology, advances in golf course agronomy, and today's member expectations. The result elevated the well-respected Virginia classic to a "WOW-must play" status.
Particular attention was given to shot values by better positioning teeing areas and fairway bunkering. With the combination of beautiful landscaping and picturesque views of the James River, the golf course makes a memorable day that everyone needs to experience. Located behind the city life of Newport News and tucked away from residential living with no homes on the golf course, makes our course a peaceful and enjoyable setting for a round of golf for practice, fun play or competition. With membership at the club, this masterpiece is at your fingertips and available all year round.
James River Country Club was voted Best Golf Course in the 2021 Coastal Virginia Best of Reader's Choice Awards. You won't want to miss an opportunity to enjoy our award winning course!
GOLF COURSE
GOLF MUSEUM
The museum was founded by Archer M. Huntington, the principal owner of the Newport News shipyard, in the first part of the 20th century. Huntington built the world-renowned Mariners' Museum for the people of the Tidewater area, so he agreed to fund a museum of golf for the members of James River Country Club. The two museums are less than a half-mile apart, just minutes off Interstate 64 at the J. Clyde Morris Boulevard exit.
The museum is not only the oldest golf museum in the world, but is home to some of the oldest artifacts that date back to the 1700s. The mission of the Golf Museum is to display artifacts depicting the ancient and honorable history of the game. As you enter the 1,800 square foot, newly renovated Golf Museum, the room is lit up by history and heritage, creating speechless reactions. A large, eight- by twelve-foot, high-definition projection screen drops down from the ceiling, making it accessible to any event. With such an impressive backdrop, it's no wonder that the Golf Museum is a popular room to host an event.