THE RIVER REPORT
PETE DYE RIVER COURSE OF VIRGINIA TECH
YOUR CLUB
PRESTON’SRESTAURANT*
Monday I CLOSED
Tuesday I CLOSED
Wednesday I 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday I 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday I 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday I 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday I 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
GOLFSHOP*
Monday-Thursday I 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday-Sunday I 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
PRACTICEFACILITIES
Open 30 minutes prior to first tee time
Closes at dusk
Sundays I Closed from 5:00 pm
CLUBNUMBERS
Main Office 540 633 6732
Golf Shop 540 633 6732
Restaurant...................540.633.2667
Special Events 540 633 1807
*Hours are subject to change
Kari Kendall | General Manager foh@petedyerivercourse com
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Nick Stuth | Kitchen Manager chef@petedyerivercourse.com
GOLF
DJ Shively | Resident Golf Professional dj.shively@petedyerivercourse.com GROUNDS
Greg Caldwell | Golf Course Superintendent greg.caldwell@petedyerivercourse.com
OFFICE
THE CORNER OFFICE
Dear Members,
As we settle into the heart of summer, I'd like to take a moment to thank all of our members and guests for making this season such a memorable one. Your continued support, enthusiasm, and love for the game are what make our golf course such a special place.
Our maintenance team has been working diligently to keep the course in outstanding condition despite the summer heat From early morning mowing to irrigation management and ongoing course improvements, their dedication ensures that every round is as enjoyable as possible Please remember that summer weather can present challenges, and we appreciate your patience as we continue to provide the best playing conditions possible
Summer is one of our busiest and most exciting times of the year We have a full calendar of tournaments and special events planned Whether you're competing, learning, or simply enjoying a relaxing round with friends, we encourage everyone to take advantage of the many opportunities our club has to offer
I'd also like to remind everyone to help us maintain a great experience for all golfers by repairing ball marks, replacing divots, raking bunkers, and keeping pace of play in mind These simple courtesies go a long way in preserving the quality of the course and ensuring everyone enjoys their time here.
Our golf shop and food and beverage teams are here to enhance your visit. Be sure to stop in to see the latest merchandise, take advantage of seasonal specials, and enjoy a meal or refreshing drink after your round. We appreciate the hard work of every member of our staff who helps make each visit a positive experience
Looking ahead, we have several exciting improvements and events planned as we continue investing in our facility and the overall member and guest experience We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months
On behalf of our entire staff, thank you for choosing Pete Dye River Course We appreciate your loyalty and look forward to seeing you on the course throughout the remainder of the summer
See you on the course!
Kari Kendall General Manager
foh@petedyerivercourse com
ON THE LINKS
e appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm throughout the summer. We have a busy couple of months ahead with several tournaments and member events.
Upcoming Member Events
Member-Guest Tournament | July 23–25
One of our favorite traditions of the year is just around the corner! We look forward to welcoming members and their guests for three outstanding days of great golf, friendly competition, and memorable camaraderie Thank you to everyone who has registered this year's theme is “Around the World in 18 Holes”
Club Championship | August 15–16
The Club Championship is your opportunity to compete for one of the club's most prestigious titles Whether you're chasing the championship flight or competing within your division, we encourage everyone to participate Registration information will be available through the Golf Shop
Titleist Fitting Day | Saturday, August 8
Take advantage of a professional club fitting with the Titleist team. Properly fitted equipment can make a tremendous difference in your performance and consistency. Appointment times are limited, so look for information on the event soon.
Course Availability
As we host several premier tournaments this summer, there will be periods when the golf course is unavailable for member play.
Course Closed or Limited Due to Events:
July 7–9: VSGA Junior Stroke Play Championship
July 13–16: GPro Tour Event
July 17–19: Tidewater Golfweek Tour
July 23–25: Member-Guest Tournament
Please plan your tee times accordingly, and thank you for your patience as we showcase Pete Dye River Course to players from across the region
Best, DJ Shively Resident Golf Professional
INSTRUCTIONAL TIPS
Golf Tip of the Month: Improve Your Tempo ⏱
DJ Shively, Resident Golf Professional
Putting Practice – Start It on the Right Line
As we head into the start of the season, I want to focus on one of the most important fundamentals in golf: starting your putts on the correct line. Speed certainly matters, but if your ball doesn’t start on your intended line, it has no chance of going in regardless of pace. At short to mid-range distances especially, direction is the single biggest factor in making more putts Great putters aren’t just good at reading greens they are excellent at starting the ball precisely where they intend
Why Starting Line Matters Most
A putt struck on the wrong line by even a degree or two will miss the hole within just a few feet. From 8–10 feet, a slightly misaligned face at impact is the difference between the center of the cup and the edge. Remember:
The putter face controls roughly 85–90% of the ball’s starting direction
Your stroke path plays a role, but face angle at impact is king
If we can control the face, we can control the start line that’s when putts start dropping
DRILLS TO IMPROVE YOUR START LINE
Here are a few simple but highly effective drills you can use during your practice sessions:
1. Gate Drill (Tee Gate)
Place two tees just slightly wider than your ball
Position them about 12–18 inches in front of your ball on your intended line.
Putt the ball through the gate without touching the tees.
This gives you immediate feedback If you hit a tee, your face or path was off When the ball rolls cleanly through the gate, you know you started it on line
2. Chalk Line or String Line Drill
Snap a chalk line or stretch a string on a straight 6–8 foot putt.
Set up with your ball directly under the line.
Practice rolling the ball so it stays directly on the line for as long as possible
If the ball falls off immediately, your face angle needs attention This drill builds confidence in starting the ball exactly where you aim
3. One-Handed Putting
Practice short putts (3–5 feet) using only your trail hand. This enhances your feel for the putter face and improves face awareness at impact
You’ll quickly notice how sensitive face angle is and how small adjustments make a big difference
Practice with Purpose
Instead of hitting 20 random putts from different spots, focus on: 10–15 quality repetitions from one spot
Clear intention on your starting line
Immediate feedback
Master the start line first. Once you consistently begin the ball where you’re aiming, speed control becomes much easier to refine.
If you’d like help evaluating your putting stroke or want a structured practice plan this spring, I’d be happy to work with you Let’s make more putts this season
Managing Bentgrass Through Summer Heat
As summer temperatures climb, maintaining healthy bentgrass putting greens becomes one of the greatest challenges golf course superintendents face. While golfers enjoy long, sunny days, prolonged heat and humidity place significant stress on cool-season turf, requiring careful management to preserve playing conditions and plant health
Bentgrass performs best in cooler weather When daytime temperatures consistently rise into the upper 80s and 90s, soil temperatures increase and the plant's root system begins to decline High nighttime temperatures further limit recovery, making the grass more susceptible to disease, traffic damage, and moisture stress
Superintendents use a variety of strategies to help greens survive these demanding conditions Mowing practices are often adjusted by raising the height of cut slightly or reducing mowing frequency during periods of extreme heat Rolling may be used to maintain green speed while minimizing additional stress from mowing
Water management is another critical component Rather than applying excessive irrigation, superintendents rely on precise hand watering to cool localized hot spots while maintaining adequate oxygen in the root zone Overwatering can be just as damaging as drought stress by reducing soil oxygen and encouraging disease development.
Proper fertility and plant growth regulator programs are also essential. Light, frequent fertilizer applications help sustain healthy turf without creating excessive growth, while carefully timed plant growth regulators improve turf density and reduce stress. Preventive fungicide applications protect against common summer diseases such as anthracnose, brown patch and pythium.
Venting greens with small solid tines, maintaining adequate air movement, and managing thatch all contribute to healthier root systems during stressful weather.
Although summer conditions may occasionally require temporary adjustments to green speed or maintenance practices, these decisions are made with one goal in mind: preserving healthy turf that delivers excellent playing conditions throughout the season and into the fall A healthy bentgrass plant today ensures exceptional putting surfaces for the months ahead
Regards, Greg Caldwell Superintendent
greg caldwell@petedyerivercourse com
WHAT’S COOKIN’?
Theheatofthesummerofferstheperfecttimeforgrillingandsmokingmeatsontheterrace.IfyoumissedourFather’sDaySmokeOut,you missedsomegreatfood!But,noworries,itwillbeback!
Ifyouhaven’thadachancetomeetNick,ournewKitchenManager,stopintherestaurantNickbringsyearsofexperienceandlovesanew cookingchallenge
ThemonthofJulywillhavesomegreatfundishesonFridaynights.Lookforthemonsocialmedia.Also,checkyourgolfcartforweekend specialsontheturn.
Wearelookingforwardtosomegreatsummerdishes!
Nick Stuth Kitchen Manager chef@petedyerivercourse com
CLUB EVENTS
Sunday Brunch is back! Visit the Pete Dye River Course every Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm for a delicious brunch selection. To RSVP, call the club at 540-633-2667 or email foh@petedyerivercourse com
BISCUITS & GRAVY ~12
Two Biscuits Topped with Gravy & Served with Two Eggs & a Choice of Sausage or Bacon
PANCAKES ~6
Three Pancakes Served with Syrup
19TH HOLE TRADITION ~10
Three Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, Toast, & Seasoned Potatoes
HEALTHY BOWL ~9
Mixed Fruit, Granola, & Yogurt Topped with Honey
BREAKFAST SANDWICH ~6
Bacon, Egg, & Cheese or Sausage, Egg, & Cheese
A LA CARTE OPTIONS
Single Biscuit ~2
Single Pancake ~2
Scrambled Eggs ~2
Side of Bacon or Sausage ~2.5
Side of Seasoned Potatoes ~3
EVENTS
BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT WITH US
From birthday parties to anniversaries, baby showers, and graduation parties, the clubhouse at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech offers an unforgettable setting for your next event. Overlooking the historic New River, our elevated terrace and banquet rooms provide breathtaking views of the course and surrounding landscape
Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a large-scale event, our flexible indoor space can accommodate groups from 10 to 115 guests Partitioned layouts are available to better serve smaller gatherings, while the full room can be configured to meet the needs of corporate functions, receptions, and more
Amenities & Features:
Panoramic river and golf course views Wi-Fi and modern AV technology
Microphone, projector, 52" LCD monitors, podium, and sound system
On-site event coordination and setup support
To book your event today, email foh@petedyerivercourse.com or submit an event inquiry using the button below
EVENT INQUIRY FORM
MEMBERSHIP
Join one of Virginia's top-ranked golf destinations and enjoy all that Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech has to offer Our membership options are designed to fit a variety of lifestyles, whether you're a passionate golfer, a Virginia Tech student, or simply want to enjoy the clubhouse and social atmosphere.
There’s a true sense of community among our members, and our team is proud to recognize the important role they play in the continued success of the River Course. Membership here means being valued not burdened. That’s why our members are never subject to operational or capital assessments, and there are no minimum spending requirements
Membership Benefits:
Unlimited play with no time restrictions
14 days advance tee time preference
10% off non-sale golf apparel
Member-priced handicap fees
Opportunity to purchase a range plan
Privilege of walking anytime
Member-only golf events
To view annual membership opportunities and to apply for membership, click the button below or scan the QR code
MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MEMBERSHIP AT PETE DYE RIVER COURSE OF VIRGINIA TECH
