The 475-yard, par-five 14th at the Rees Jones-designed Hell's Point Golf Club in Virginia Beach, Va.

Outhit. Outplay. Outlast. It's Golf Survivor, and here's the plan: Fly in. Six rounds of golf. Three days. Fly out. Are you in?

What, 5 a.m. wakeups sipping coffee on the first tee? I'm there. A chance to try five courses designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye and Rees Jones? Sign me up.

There are eight championship golf courses in Virginia Beach, and our group of three Canadians and three Americans are teed up for six. First off ...

CYPRESS POINT COUNTRY CLUB:

Our bleary-eyed gang arrives at this 6,600-yarder in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia Beach after a good four hours sleep. It turns out to be the least difficult track in our quest, but challenging enough for a half-awake Canuck.

With apologies to the originator of the poker maxim: If you gaze around the tee blocks at your competition and you can't spot the hacker, you're it.

By the third hole, it is clear. I'm it.

That doesn't stop me, however, from trying a pitching wedge on the signature 137-yard par-three 17th, a water-locked green reminiscent of the infamous island green at TPC Sawgrass.Two balls and a sand trap later, I've holed out.

BAY CREEK GOLF CLUB:

This is the first of two Arnold Palmer-designed courses we will be playing and, by the end of the trip, will be atop or near the top of everyone's favourites list. Golf Digest listed it on America's Top 100 courses in 2003, and it's easy to see why.

It is a visually stunning 7,200 yards from the pro tees with eight holes playing through or around Old Plantation Creek and four gorgeous holes shouldering Chesapeake Bay.On the par-three 4th, my tee shot leaves me in a unique position -- I'm on the beach, and I don't mean the yawning, soft sandtrap next to the green.

I walk over the dunes and take in the breathtaking view of the bay. Two sandwedges later, I'm on the green and two putts in. I love this game.

HELL'S POINT:

The weather is perfect, and this Rees Jones-designed course turns out to be most heavenly from an off-the-beaten-path point of view. The surroundings are wooded, lush and serene.

A hole on the front nine of Bay Creek Golf Club. The beach and Chesapeake Bay are visible in the background.

The Point opened in 1982 when conservation wasn't atop political agendas. It would never have been built today. It is laid out over mostly swamp giving the fairways a cushy feel and is surrounded by protected tidewater conservation lands -- not a cheesy fairway home in sight.

The layout is spread out around Hell's Point with water coming into play on eight holes, including a full 171-yard carry over the par-three 11th where I made a requisite deposit -- two balls. Next.

TOURNAMENT PLAYERS CLUB VIRGINIA BEACH:

It is here, natch, at the longest (7,432 yards), tightest, most difficult course we will face, that our golf gang decides that we should compete as Team Canada and Team America.My playing partners are Serge and Claudine, two charming journalists and accomplished golfers from Quebec.

I am unsure of their political leanings, but my gut tells me after about my fourth shot out of the first Pete Dye-designed waste bunker that they wish to separate from their Anglo albatross.

Golfing a TPC track is an experience every high-handicapper should have at least once, and then move on to courses built for mere mortals.

THE SIGNATURE AT WEST NECK:

The second of the Arnold Palmer-designed courses we play turns out to be my favourite of the bunch. At just over 7,000 yards, with water coming into play on 14 of the holes, it is nonetheless a relatively forgiving layout.

One of the owners is a wealthy U.S. landscaper, and it is on display in the money and planning that went into the track. There are flowers everywhere, including the 18th green, which is ringed by hundreds of fragrant rose bushes.

It is also the best bargain. Peak season is $79 US anytime, including a cart. You'd pay double that for a course of this calibre in the GTA.

ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT:

Alright. So the spa founded in 1931 by clairvoyant Edgar Cayce isn't a golf course. But our host offered us another round at Heron Point, the Fred Couples-designed course, or rikki massages.

Hmmmm. Sorry, Fred.

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BOTTOM LINE

GOLF & DEALS: Virginia Beach has enough variety of courses to satisfy golfers of all skill levels and a variety of packages and specials aimed at Canadians throughout the year, including its Loonie Savers discount book. During Canada Days, participating beach hotels are offering two free nights accommodation to Canadians who book a five-night stay between Aug. 15 and Sept. 1.

MORE INFO: Go to vbfun.com.