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
CLUB CONTACTS
Kari Kendall | General Manager foh@petedyerivercourse com
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
JC Botero | Executive Chef chef@petedyerivercourse.com
GOLF
DJ Shively | Resident Golf Professional dj.shively@petedyerivercourse.com
GROUNDS
Greg Caldwell | Golf Course Superintendent greg.caldwell@petedyerivercourse.com
BUSINESS OFFICE Amanda Ferguson | HR & Accounting aferguson@petedyerivercourse com
THE CORNER OFFICE
Thanks again for your continued support,
Kari Kendall General Manager foh@petedyerivercourse
com
Dear Members,
My first positive note: THE SNOW IS GONE!
It certainly took its sweet time leaving the course, and we truly appreciate your patience with the extended “cart path only” period As I write this, the sun is shining, temperatures are finally in the 50s, the parking lot is filling up, and the phone is ringing off the hook just the way we like it!
You may have noticed our maintenance team has been working incredibly hard on landscaping improvements, even through all that lingering snow. It’s still a work in progress over the next few weeks as the ground continues to dry out, but we’re confident you’ll be very pleased with the changes once everything is complete.
Be sure to stay tuned to our emails and social media for upcoming events and happenings at The River Course. We’re more than ready to get the golf season in full swing!
See you out there!
ON THE LINKS
.
GREENS AERIFICATION MARCH 2 & 3
To ensure excellent playing conditions throughout the season, we will be conducting our scheduled greens aerification on March 2 and 3. The golf course will be closed both days to allow our agronomy team to complete the process efficiently and properly. If you have any questions regarding course conditions or recovery time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Golf Shop.
HOKIE BALL TOURNAMENT – APRIL 4
We’re excited to host the Hokie Ball Tournament on April 4! This event is always a highlight of the spring season, bringing together great competition and Hokie spirit Whether you’re playing to win or simply to enjoy a fun day on the course with fellow members, this tournament promises to be a fantastic day Join us for our kick-off tournament of the year! The hokie ball consists of three-person teams Each team will receive a specially decorated golf ball
The goal is not to lose the ball! On the first hole one player on the team will play the special ball and count their score The other two players will play a two-person captain’s choice The individual score plus the captain’s choice score will be your team score for the hole The next hole rotates the special ball so someone else is playing it! Continue this process the entire round
What happens if you lose the special ball? The team will take a double bogey on every remaining hole but now become a three-person captain’s choice.
There will be a prize for the lowest captain’s choice score! The winner of the tournament will be the team that has the lowest special ball score and captain’s choice score! More details regarding format, pairings, and tee times will be sent out soon. Be sure to sign up early to secure your spot!
MASTERS PAR 3 SHOOTOUT – APRIL 8
In celebration of the iconic Par 3 Contest at the Masters Tournament, we will host our own Masters Par 3 Shootout on April 8. This fun and spirited event is a great way to kick off Masters week. It’s a perfect opportunity to sharpen your wedge play and short game while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow members.vDetails on format and registration will be available soon in the Golf Shop.
Spring is one of the best times of year at the club, and we’re looking forward to seeing all of you back on the course Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to a fantastic start to the 2026 season!
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
TURF TALK
Greens, Tees & Approaches: Solid-Tine Aeration + Topdressing
Over the next few weeks, you’ll see our maintenance team completing solid-tine aeration and topdressing on the greens, and we’ll also be solid tining tees and approaches as part of our spring conditioning plan. These practices are key to protecting turf health and improving playing conditions as we head into peak season.
Why solid tines?
Solid tining creates small channels in the turf without pulling cores. This helps relieve surface compaction, improves air and water movement into the rootzone, and encourages stronger root growth while keeping disruption to play as minimal as possible. Why topdress the greens afterward?
After greens are tined, we apply a light layer of sand and brush it in Topdressing helps keep greens smoother and firmer, dilutes organic matter over time, and improves surface drainage It also promotes a more consistent roll as spring growth ramps up
What you can expect:
Greens may look slightly “sandy” for a short period after topdressing
Ball roll may be mildly affected immediately afterward, but improves quickly as the sand settles and we continue brushing, rolling and mowing
On tees and approaches, you may notice small tine holes and brief surface disruption, but recovery is typically quick
How golfers can help:
Please repair ball marks and replace divots especially during early-season recovery
Respect any temporary signs/ropes and avoid turning carts sharply near tees and approaches.
On busy days, we appreciate patience as the crew works efficiently around play.
These practices may not look exciting in the moment, but they are a big part of delivering healthy turf and consistent playing surfaces for both members and public play all season long. Thanks for your support looking forward to a great spring.
Regards, Greg Caldwell Superintendent greg.caldwell@petedyerivercourse.com
WHAT’S COOKIN’?
BeingaChefintheWinterSeason
Beingachefinthewintertimebringsauniqueblendofchallengesandcreative inspiration.Astheweathergrowscolder,dinerscravehearty,comfortingdishesthink soups,braises,roasts,andwarmbakedgoodsThisshiftinseasonalappetite encourageschefstoleanintoslowcookedtechniques,richflavors,andingredients likerootvegetables,wintergreens,squash,andpreserveditemsthatholdupthrough thecoldmonths
Winteralsodemandsadaptability.Freshproducebecomesmorelimited,sochefsrely onlocalwintercrops,pantrystaples,andimaginativewaystousepreservedor fermentedingredients.Thecolderseasonoftenalignswiththebusiestholidayperiod, meaningkitchensrunatfullspeed,jugglingspecialmenus,festiveevents,and increasedcustomervolumeallwhilemaintainingconsistencyandquality
Despitethepace,wintercanbeadeeplyinspiringtimeinthekitchenTheseason encouragescreativitythroughwarmspices,seasonaltraditions,andthejoyofcreating dishesthatbringcomfortandconnectionduringthecoldestmonths
Formanychefs,thistimeofyearhighlightstheheartofcooking:nourishingpeoplewithfoodthatwarmsbothbodyandsoul.
Keepyoureyesopenforupcomingevents!Weareveryexcitedtorolloutthenewmenuforspringandsummer.“Eveningwiththechef” continuestosellout,soRSVPquicklytosaveyourplaceatthetable.Welookforwardtoabusyandfun-filledseasonhereatTheRiverCourse.
Withgratitude, ChefJCBotero
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
