Things To Do In Green Valley

At PB Dye Golf Club, golfers wallop, pitch, and putt through more than 7,000 yards of lush, forested greenery on a challenging course that was ranked as one of the best in the state in Golf Digest magazine. Push a dimpled projectile across some of Maryland's only Penn G-2 bent grass greens, which lie at the end of rolling fairways and are defended by bunkers as closely as a mother bear protects her vinyl collection. A flowing waterfall and pair of ponds flank the course's 9th and 18th holes and add aquatic scenery while threatening to capsize novice club-swingers' confidence. With five different tee distances on each hole, the course yields a par-72 rating for men, par-73 rating for women, and par-18 rating for habitual liars.

On February 1, 2011, Linganore Winecellars' staff members celebrated with a barrel tasting. They had just finalized the winery's transition to operating on strictly sustainable wind power.

Founded in 1971 by the Aellen family, Linganore has since expanded in every way, from its grape selection to new bottling rooms to a renovation of the offices in the 19th-century barn on the grounds. Today, the sustainable winery stocks more wines than ever before, with its award-winning selection including traditional grape varietals, fruit wines, and specialty bottles. The idyllic winery routinely hosts events as well, with concerts, tastings, and tours taking place 361 days out of the year, granting the grapes four days to just hang out.

The sun has just broken over the lush trees guarding Falls Road’s sloping hills, and Mike Kenny has already revolutionized his student’s short game. It’s PGA professionals like Mike who dedicate their time and energy to teaching novice golfers how to drive and experienced golfers how to better chew wood like a beaver. They instruct their students at one of Montgomery County Golf’s nine courses, offering classes for beginners, plus specialty clinics for adults and camps for juniors. Each teacher at every course champions his or her individual method of instruction. Mick, for example, uses a step-by-step process to thoroughly improve putting, chipping, pitching, and eliminating wasted strokes.

Situated along the pastoral countryside, the family-owned-and-operated Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard produces flavorful Bordeaux-style wines in a charming, rustic setting. With today's Groupon, you and a fermentation fanatic get a full tasting of Sugarloaf's award-winning wines, from the brick-red cabernet Franc to the French-oak-aged chardonnay. Once you've introduced your taste buds to each potential grape suitor, you and your tasting-mate each get a glass of preferred wine and a scrumptious assortment of cheeses, complete with olive tapenade to pair. You'll also get two souvenir wine glasses, engraved with the vineyard's name, to take home and display next to other fine glassware, such as your Wrestlemania '87 juice glasses.

River & Trail Outfitters owners Lee and Eunsook Baihly have been acquainting customers with the area's natural beauty since 1972. Their outdoor-exploration company's more than 70 friendly staffers accompany customers on relaxed, informative rafting, kayaking, canoeing, biking, and tubing excursions. In addition to having mastered river- and boat-safety skills, staff members are experienced in first aid, CPR, and the correct way to ask dolphins for directions. River & Trail Outfitters also accommodates businesses, organizing team-building events and rock-climbing excursions or hiking trips. The Baihlys' environmental commitment extends to an in-house recycling program and the use of biodiesel fuels.

Say the zombie apocalypse happened tomorrow—what would you do? How would you search for food and water without attracting the attention of a shambling mass? The instructors of Northern Virginia Tactical train people to defend themselves should they ever encounter a life-threatening situation, whether it be advancing zombies or an armed robber. With backgrounds spanning law enforcement to marine reconnaissance, they combine field experience in areas such as practical marksmanship, tactical medicine, and scout sniping with NRA training standards. Using this approach, they teach a suite of courses that covers basic through advanced training in both armed and unarmed self-defense. They also apply their expertise to developing products, including their own line of suppressors. Made of 100% titanium and formed over a genuine minotaur horn, these suppressors are lighter and cool faster than traditional ones, and a patent-pending Quick Attach system enhances ease of use for marksmen.