Hot Springs in Bath County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Old Course

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2025

1. The Old Course Marker

Inscription. Golf arrived at The Homestead in 1892 with construction of the first six holes of the Old Course. Today its First Tee enjoys the historic distinction of being the oldest first tee in continuous use in America. Golf quickly became so very popular at The Homestead that we retained Donald Ross to expand the Old Course into 18 holes of exceptional golf. William McKinley, the first President to play golf while in office, used our historic first tee, as did Presidents William Taft, Woodrow Wilson (who enjoyed a round of golf every morning of his honeymoon here), Dwight Eisenhower and many others.

Erected by Omni Homestead Resort.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 37° 59.91′ N, 79° 49.786′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Virginia, in Bath County. It can be reached from the intersection of Sam Snead Highway (U.S. 220) and Main Street, on the left when traveling south. The Marker is located on the grounds of the Omni Homestead Resort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7696 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs VA 24445,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley,

in the Alleghany Highlands,

and specifically in the Potomac Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hole 1 (a few steps from this marker); The Casino (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. William E. Skelton (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boiler Spring (about 300 feet away); Hot Sulphur Spring (about 400 feet away); The Homestead (about 600 feet away); American Gynecological Society (about 800 feet away); The Southern Surgical Association (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2025

2. The Old Course Marker

Springs.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2025

3. The Old Course Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2025

4. The Old Course Marker

The Old Course Entry Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2025

5. The Old Course Entry Sign

Sam Snead Memorial Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2025

6. Sam Snead Memorial Highway

The Old Course is located along Sam Snead Memorial Highway. Professional golfer Sam Snead once worked at the Old Course.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 1, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.