Dragas unveils plans to redevelop Virginia Beach National Golf Course

The Virginia Beach National Golf Club could soon get a major makeover.

Virginia Beach-based developer The Dragas Cos. announced Tuesday a proposal to purchase and renovate the roughly 350-acre golf course owned by the city, preserving public access while adding amenities and building 659 for-sale homes on part of the property.

The proposal calls for roughly $38 million in golf course improvements, funded through Dragas’ $17.94 million purchase of the property from the city, a $1.82 million contribution from the Virginia Beach Development Authority and an additional $18.4 million in private investment by Dragas.

According to the city’s website, the course, which opened in 1999, is “not what it once was.” The city says the course has experienced a gradual decline over the past 20 years, with overgrown waste areas, shoreline erosion, deteriorating cart paths and the loss of key elements, diminishing the player experience.

Under the proposal, Dragas would preserve the 18-hole course as a public facility, while undertaking a major redesign and refurbishment led by golf architect Timothy Liddy, a longtime protégé of the course’s original designer, Pete Dye. Dragas would also partner with Century Golf Partners, which operates Walt Disney World’s golf portfolio, to manage operations.

The plan also includes construction of 659 for-sale homes, more than half of which would be targeted to households earning up to 120% of the area median income, according to project documents. The construction of homes would require a rezoning. A 1.8-acre site would be reserved for a future childcare facility, and 45 acres would be preserved as woodlands and open space. The plan also calls for the construction of two signature entrances with enhanced landscaping, a new golf course maintenance facility and renovation of the clubhouse, including upgrades to dining, retail and locker room facilities.

“Virginia Beach National is a treasured community asset, and our vision is to secure its future for generations to come,” Dragas President and CEO Helen Dragas said in a statement. “This proposal combines substantial private investment with long-term public benefits, preserving the public’s access to affordable, world-class golf while creating new recreational opportunities, generating meaningful tax revenue and helping address the community’s need for attainable housing.”

Emily Archer, the city’s acting director of economic development, said in a Tuesday presentation to City Council that the project would generate approximately $3.4 million in new annual real estate tax revenue once fully built out.

The proposal includes the city investing $7.9 million in infrastructure improvements and contingencies, and reinvesting the $17.9 million it received from the sale toward the $38 million in course improvements. The property would remain a public golf course, and Virginia Beach would retain a 99-year repurchase option if it ceases to be operated as a public golf course.

“This is not a proposal to eliminate public golf,” Dragas said in a statement. “It’s the ideal avenue to preserve and enhance public golf through private investment and national caliber golf expertise.”

If approved, golf course renovations would begin in 2027, with the course expected to reopen in 2028.

City Council is expected to consider the proposed sale at a public hearing on July 7, with a vote on the matter July 14. Mayor Bobby Dyer on Tuesday noted the need for more housing.

“Let’s have the public hearing; let’s hear what the people have to say,” Dyer said. “Once again, what we want to do is get into a situation that is a win-win.”