WINTERGREEN, Va. – Wintergreen Resort, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains southwest of Charlottesville, has added a variety of activities designed to bring vacationing families to the golf course this summer. By introducing programs that make it easy for a family to learn or play golf together, the resort has increased rounds played on its two courses and introduced numerous new players to the game.

"We decided to implement these programs as a part of the Golf. 2.0 initiative, and the emphasis for us has been on the time commitment necessary for a family to enjoy the game together," said Geoff Redgrave, PGA director of golf & instruction at the Wintergreen Golf Academy. "The programs have been well-received and successful because we've made golf a fun new experience that doesn't take up more than a couple hours one afternoon."

The special programs offered are highlighted by the Family Fun 9, which includes nine holes of golf, club rentals and pro shop discounts, for as little as $120 for a family of four. The Devils Knob course where this program is offered also has shortened Family Fun tee markers to make the game less intimidating and more enjoyable for first-time players. A pre-round instruction clinic for the whole family can be added to the afternoon activities for just $30.

"We had a family of five out on our Devil's Knob course last week enjoying golf for the first time through the Family Fun 9 offer," Redgrave said. "The Fourth of July holiday coupled with the cooler weather on the mountain course meant we had families out playing and taking part in these programs. Because of the family tee setup and only playing nine holes, they weren't looking over their shoulders at more experienced or faster-playing golfers."

An additional offer for families at Evergreen is the Try 3, which offers a 30-minute instruction clinic, three holes of golf, club rentals and pro shop discounts for between $30 and $60 per person. The resort also holds daily golf clinics that are geared towards introducing players to the game, and those 30-minute to one-hour lessons have been popular enough among resort guests that Redgrave has started offering them twice a day instead of once.

Even with numerous programs attractive to families, Redgrave says the key to the resort's success is the attitude with which the golf staff approaches the programs.

"Now more than ever, we're aware of where golf is as a sport and how important it is for us to be accommodating to new golfers," Redgrave said. "Everyone on our golf staff is really sensitive to what it takes to make the experience enjoyable for a family. Whether it's the instruction, the pace of play or the course layout, we try to remove any intimidation that the game might bring."

Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort aimed at being the ultimate vacation and conference spot with nearly 300 condominium-style accommodations, 45 holes of championship golf, snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, an award-winning tennis program and a full-service spa. The resort is within a half-day drive of Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Philadelphia, Pa.