Pros:
Varied landscapes, multiple tees, length
Other Thoughts:
Loriella is a nice course, a "lite" version of several of my favorite courses in the region, Patapsco and Walnut Creek in particular. Like Patapsco, the course features superior length, both open and woods holes, and demands a wide range of shots and skills. Like Walnut Grove, the course is hilly, and has a couple of good woods holes, but is still rough around the edges, with most of the woods holes lacking tee boxes and none of the holes have signs. The overall strength of this course is there is something for everyone: Even the longest drivers would be challenged by the pro tees, some holes are wide open, but some are in the woods and require precision, and uphill, downhill, and even one true water hole.
The course is laid out with a wide open area in the middle with some small hills, and then woods around the perimeter of this area, with nine holes in each landscape. The open holes are straightforward - in fact, I wish the shots were a little less straight on a couple of these nine holes. Most play over the undulations - only a couple are all uphill or all downhill. The woods holes are well done, with fully reasonable but challenging fairways. The terrain is pretty, but there are no expansive views to be had. And the course is plenty challenging, not the hardest course or longest course I've played, but certainly more challenging than most.
Overall, Loriella is one of the best DG courses in Virginia. While not quite as diverse and challenging as Patapsco, and lacking the views, elevation changes, and signature holes of Walnut Creek, the course still features a little bit that is good about these two courses and other Mid-Atlantic courses - variety, good woods holes, and length. I look forward to playing there again.
Favorite Hole - #6, long gradual downhill shot along treeline to basket set back in woods.