The RNGC Evolution18
Reston National Golf Course (RNGC) has offered affordable, public golf since 1967. Our golfers and neighbors have told us consistently that they love the wide-open fairways, dozens of acres of wildlife habitat and native plants, dedicated public walking paths, and especially our 18-hole golf course.
However, after six decades of heavy play, the fairways and greens are compacted, and the original irrigation and drainage systems are failing. In the 2025 season, persistent rain followed by extreme heat highlighted how fragile the course had become: water pooled on fairways, suffocating turf, and then scorched the grass and boiled the roots when the sun returned. Routine maintenance is no longer enough and wholesale upgrades and modernization is required.
To achieve these upgrades with minimal impact to our loyal golfers and neighbors, less than 9% of the 168 acres will be used to build desperately needed market rate and workforce affordable housing compatible with the clusters surrounding our golf course.
The planned homes and golf course improvements are part of one unified vision. Proceeds from the new homes will fund RNGC Evolution18, ensuring that Reston National remains challenging, competitive, and affordable 18-hole course for the next 60 years!
Most importantly, RNGC Evolution18 will ensure uninterrupted play during construction through careful course planning, additional parking, and cart circulation changes. RNGC will be a national model for maintaining public access and affordability for our 18-hole course with modernized facilities, expanded junior and adult Learning Center opportunities, and challenging course play.
We will keep the community updated with ways you can participate in RNGC Evolution18 as the Fairfax County construction permit process moves forward. We will build the list of people who are interested in buying these brand new market rate and workforce affordable golf course homes!
Support Evolution18
Fairfax County Supervisors will vote on Evolution18 this fall. Add your name to a letter of support below — the below will be sent directly to the Board of Supervisors on your behalf.
“Dear Supervisor Alcorn and Chairman McKay,
As a Fairfax County resident, I am writing to express my support for the Evolution18 modernization plan at Reston National Golf Course. I support this plan because it keeps Reston National as a full 18-hole golf course, invests in much-needed course improvements, and develops new housing, including affordable units, to help address Fairfax County’s housing needs. I urge you to support Evolution18 as it moves through the county’s review process.
Thank you for your consideration.
Expanding The Learning Center & Short-Game Facilities
The RNGC Evolution18 will expand play and learning opportunities for golfers, campers, clinics, and lessons.
The Learning Center: In the past, we have had to balance campers and 18-hole golfers during summer camp – disrupting everyone’s play! By expanding the Learning Center facilities and the driving range, we open high-demand morning tee times for golfers and more learning opportunities for campers, clinics and lessons.
Short Practice Facility: RNGC Evolution18 modernization plans a dedicated short course. This compact, lighted layout will serve the golf school and our teaching professionals for year-round short-game instruction and clinics rivaling the best high-cost private clubs.
All-Season Technology- Enhanced Driving Range
Double-Decked Driving Range: The centerpiece of the improvements is a two-level driving range. The lower level will be covered, heated, and equipped with fans, providing protection from Mid-Atlantic heat, cold, rain, and snow with lighting complementing the existing driving range lighting. There will also be ample room for spectators and coaches to observe behind the hitting bays. The upper level will be open to the sun!
New decked driving ranges are typically about 15 feet tall which keeps the height well below the existing clubhouse roof. The driving range improvements are in keeping with best practice and consistent with Fairfax County’s public decked and lit driving ranges.
Technology-Enhanced Practice: The driving range will be equipped with ball-tracking and gaming technology that overlays shot data onto screens. The latest hi-tech systems enable virtual course simulations, skill challenges, mini-games, and leaderboards to compete with friends or practice targeted shots. The facility will use limited flight golf balls, with the technology compensating for ball flight so that swing feedback and distance control remain true to life while keeping balls within the designated driving range area.
Course & Infrastructure Upgrades
During construction, holes 10 and 18 will be reconfigured and other holes will be affected. We will also upgrade most tees, greens, bunkers, trees/shrubs, and fairways to enhance overall playability. Reston National will also add a one-level “Back 9 Café” for a golfer turn snack experience.
Prior to construction, Reston National will reconfigure our primary parking lot and add new parking in front of the clubhouse. Reston National, Quitno, and Kemper are committed to ensuring the new parking configuration will improve access, improve traffic flow, and enhance guest convenience.
We will also install new netting between the driving range and new short game area for the comfort of our golfers and residents. Existing areas of netting around the range will remain.
Modern irrigation and drainage systems will improve weather resiliency, and new maintenance equipment such as mowers, aerators, and sand-trap tools will support long-term turf health.
Thoughtful Housing Integration
Housing is a critical priority in Fairfax County. The County’s latest Housing Needs Assessment, published March 2026, has identified the need for 41,000–95,000 new homes new homes by 2035 to keep pace with household growth and maintain a healthy housing supply for residents across Fairfax County, including Reston.
In keeping with the original zoning established for Reston National in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the new plans call for 288 stacked townhomes including 28 affordable dwelling units. The homes are designed to complement the style, scale, and home sizes of the Reston cluster developments surrounding the golf course.
Our local homebuilder partner is NV Homes. NV Homes brings more than 45 years of experience building homes in Northern Virginia and is headquartered right here in Reston. The planned 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom homes will be between between 1,600 and 2,600 square feet. Each home has garage and driveway providing a total of two parking spaces per home. The new homeowner open space areas envision amenities such as courtyards, park seating areas, tot lots, dog parks and other recreation areas. The planned homes and golf course improvements are part of one unified vision. New, much-needed housing is what enables the meaningful course enhancements that current and future golfers will enjoy for years to come.
In discussion with our golfers, as well as Reston-area and surrounding residents, we have found strong interest in these golf course-adjacent homes that also offer exceptional convenience to transit. The homes will be located less than 2 miles from the Reston Town Center Metro Station and only about 4 miles from the Innovation Center Metro Station.
In April 2026, Fairfax County accepted the development plans to implement the golf course upgrades and new housing, and those plans are now actively being processed. We look forward to sharing more updates as this exciting community takes shape!
Most importantly, the RNGC Evolution will ensure uninterrupted play during construction through careful course planning, additional parking, and cart circulation changes. Reston National will continue to be an affordable, publicly accessible 18-hole golf course. The planned upgrades will finally modernize and expand the course for today’s golfer. RNGC’s beloved broad, open fairways, ponds, tall trees, and long open views will remain across about 160 acres in the heart of Reston and Fairfax County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Evolution18?
Will Reston National still have 18 holes?
Will the course stay open during construction?
Why does the course need this investment?
How much of the property is being developed?
What's being built on that land?
Are the affordable units a token number?
Will this affect my property value?
What about stormwater and flooding with more pavement?
Isn't this just the first step toward selling off the rest of the course later?
Who is behind this plan?
What's happening with the driving range?
What's the approval process, and when does it happen?
What can I do if I support this project?
Who can I contact with questions?
Questions About Evolution18?
For any additional questions about the project or if you want to stay up to date on the latest developments, email us at [email protected].