Destination: Smith Mountain Lake, Roanoke, Va.
Drive time: Approximately 2 hours, 43 minutes; 138 miles from downtown Raleigh.
Courses: Mariners Landing, The Westlake, Sycamore Ridge.
Comments: This region just south of Roanoke, Va., flourishes with six courses, three of which are public or semi-private, so take your pick. The lake and mountains are a picturesque backdrop to all of the courses, and added bonus comes with the leave-changing transition to the fall season.This is more than a golf destination, so take in all that there is to offer.
Mariners Landing is the jewel of the group, a 7,155-yard Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that offers tree-lined fairways and smallish greens.
Virginia native Russell Breeden designed The Westlake, which puts a premium on accuracy given that it’s a shortish 6,511-yard length. As with all of the region’s courses, the lake and woods frame this course.
Sycamore Ridge Golf Club is a golfer-friendly course for all levels. Plays to only 6,008 yards and par 71.
Information: Mariners Landing, 888-297-7888 or www.marinerslandinggolf.com. The Westlake, 540-721-4214 or www.golfthewestlake.com. Sycamore Ridge, 540-297-6490.