Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection: Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World

Folks around Primland in bucolic southern Virginia refer to golf course architect Donald Steel simply as “The Donald.” The reserved, proper and humble Steel cuts a wonderfully ironic figure to his intended character foil. Yet, he offers no apologies for the Highland Course’s brash, unrelenting difficulty. The brawny circuit makes its way through the peaks and valleys of the Dan River Gorge and is framed by rough ridges offering no quarter for wayward shots. Its unique routing of five par 5s and five par 3s was dictated by the land. Tee times are in 15-minute intervals to allow golfers time to soak up the serene setting while also dealing with Highland’s overt difficulty. The resort overall has the unmistakable characteristics of owners who are heirs to a billion-dollar oil fortune: remote location, world-class golf, sport shooting, tomahawk throwing and (naturally) a silo observatory for stargazing. The Primat family ensures every detail is attended to at Primland. For example, groups who prefer to stay in a treehouse can stay in a treehouse. There are three available for rent with dramatic views south into North Carolina.