The Highlands Course

Getting To Know: The Highland Course at Primland

An Insightful Interview With Brian L. Alley, PGA, Head Golf Professional

By Brian Weis

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Brian L. Alley, PGA who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
The Highland Course sits atop the Dan River Gorge with scenic views in every direction. We have bentgrass from tee to green with bluegrass, and native fescue roughs. We feature five sets of tees, large green complexes, and superb course conditioning. The property itself is 12,000 acres and offers a wide array of outdoor activities. Some of our most popular activities include hunting, fishing, clay shooting, kayaking, ATV's, and disc golf.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Drive well or perish! Finding the fairway with your tee shot is imperative!

When putting, find the major break or the overall lay of the land. There are obviously subtle breaks but knowing the main slope is crucial.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Won Best new Public Golf Course in 2007 according to Golf Digest.
#13 America's 100 Greatest Public Courses - Golf Digest, 2011
#1 Public Course in Virginia - Golf Digest 2013

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
That is the beauty of our course. There are so many great holes with fantastic views it is hard to pick one. Our legendary architect, Donald Steel will not pick just one hole, so I better follow suit.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
My favorite hole is 16. It is a great risk reward par 4 from every tee box. The view from that tee is second to none. The green complex defends itself well, even for the longer hitters with a short second shot. Play for the front yardage no matter the hole location. That is just my opinion and I could honestly make a case for every hole out here.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Everything in the 19th Pub is worth trying. For starters, try our pig candy. It is definitely unique and delicious.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
David Bradshaw = 64

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7053
Slope: 150
Rating: 75.1

More Information
The Highland Course at Primland
Primland Resort
Meadows of Dan, VA, 24120
276.222.3827
www.primland.com

Revised: 01/28/2014 - Article Viewed 30,941 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.