9 Takeaways from Ashley Mayo’s First Dormie Network Trip
How a golf trip to Victoria National allowed four former Virginia golf teammates to reconnect without distraction.
When brand strategist and former collegiate golfer Ashley Mayo visited Victoria National, it marked the first time she and three of her University of Virginia teammates—including her twin sister—had teed it up together in nearly two decades. What began as a long-overdue reunion quickly became an opportunity to reconnect without distractions, thanks to a golf experience where every detail was already taken care of.
Mayo knows a thing or two about golf destinations. Throughout her post-playing career, she has held leadership roles with Golf Digest, GOLF, 8AM Golf, and Cabot, and today leads her own brand consultancy while serving as Fractional Chief Marketing Officer for Candyroot Lodge. Despite visiting many of the game's most recognized courses, this was her first experience at a Dormie Network club.
We asked Ashley what surprised her most about Victoria National—from the Tom Fazio design and cottage accommodations to the hospitality, dining, and effortless member experience. Here are her nine takeaways as a first-time visitor.
1. What surprised you upon arrival at Victoria National?
“Honestly, just how easy everything was. Someone greeted us and helped with our bags moments after we parked, our luggage magically made its way to our rooms, and we never even had to think about checking in, it had all been taken care of already. All we had to do was park the car, hop in a cart, and head to our cottage. From that moment on, we never needed our cars again until it was time to leave.”
2. What surprised you about how your group connected on property?
“The entire experience off the course is so seamless that it frees you up to focus on the people you're with. Our group of four spent less time discussing logistics and more time having great, uninterrupted conversations. We weren't figuring out where to go, what to do next, or how to make things happen, the important stuff had already been handled for us.”
3. Known as the No. 1 course in Indiana and a Top 100 course in America, what surprised you about Victoria National's course?
“How much it makes you think. Every hole asks a different question, and no two holes feel remotely alike. The course engages you from the first tee shot to the final putt. It also reinforced the importance of playing the appropriate tee boxes, because if you bite off more than you can chew, Victoria National will absolutely bark back. Because that rough? It’s no joke!”
4. What surprised you about the course design by Tom Fazio, a course known as one of America's most challenging?
“How engaging it is from start to finish. It's undeniably beautiful and certainly demands precision, but what stood out most was the variety. The course is constantly asking you to hit different shots, make different decisions, and solve different problems. It never becomes repetitive.”
5. What product or item in the golf shop at Victoria National caught your eye?
“The oversized Dormie Network ball marker immediately grabbed my attention. Couldn’t help but buy it! It features the Dormie logo on the front and all of the Dormie destinations on the back. I had no idea the network encompassed such an impressive collection of courses and experiences, and I thought the ball marker was a clever and tangible way to showcase that entire world in one small item.”
6. What was your reaction to stepping into the cottages at Victoria National?
“My immediate thought was: this is exactly how you design accommodations for a golf foursome. The layout is perfect, it has a comfortable common area for gathering and swapping stories from the round, paired with four bedrooms that each have their own en suite bathroom. It strikes the ideal balance between togetherness and privacy. And beyond the design, it was stocked with everything you could possibly need: snacks, drinks, toiletries, the works.”
7. What meal or menu delighted you at Victoria National?
“I loved the family-style nature of the dining experience. We ordered a variety of dishes for the table and shared everything, which is always fun and feels relaxed. The menu definitely leans hearty, but we balanced it out with salads and sorbets and found a great rhythm.”
“The on-course food experience may have been my favorite part, though. The turnstand at the clubhouse felt endlessly stocked with snacks and drinks. But I loved that they also have a menu of heartier options. We ordered the chick salad, which was delicious and conveniently delivered to us by the time we walked off the 10th green. Then there was the Turtle Shack between 12 green and 13 tee, which somehow managed to be just as well stocked. You never found yourself wanting for anything.”
8. What surprised you about the hospitality at Victoria National?
“How genuinely engaged everyone seemed to be. The staff didn't simply provide great service, they felt invested in creating a great experience. There was an authenticity to every interaction that made it feel like people truly enjoy working there.”
9. What surprised you most about the overall experience? How was it different or similar to what you've heard about Dormie Network?
“What stood out most was how “set it and forget it” the entire experience felt. Every detail had been anticipated and handled before we ever had to think about it. As a guest, all I needed to know was which cottage I was staying in and when my tee times were. Everything else simply happened around us. The logistics were taken care of, which allowed us to focus entirely on the golf, the conversations, and the experience itself.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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By removing the standard logistics of a golf trip—like splitting bills, organizing dining, or coordinating transit—members are completely unburdened. Every detail is handled so you can dedicate 100% of your attention to your clients, family, or friends.
7 Ways Dormie Network’s Golf Membership Builds Relationships
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Victoria National masterfully combines a Top 100 championship golf course with onsite cottages, exceptional steakhouse-inspired dining, and elite hospitality. Because everything is centrally located on property, groups can park their cars upon arrival and completely immerse themselves in a secluded, distraction-free getaway.
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Victoria National is located in Newburgh, Indiana, offering a central geographic location that acts as a perfect meeting point. The club is within an easy, scenic three-hour drive from several major cities, including Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Louisville.
