West Virginia Golf—Wild and Wonderful
To create a mountain course, an architect must summon all of his imagination and physical resources and still, in the end, accept the fact that he is a minor collaborator with Nature. For more than 120 years, notable architects have been testing their mettle in West Virginia's hills. Their works vary widely in character and setting – from the garden-like perfection of a world-class resort to the natural simplicity and rocky ridges along our rivers and valleys.
Whenever and wherever you play in West Virginia, our mountains are always eager to put on a show, dressing their rock outcroppings in greens and multi-colored flowers in summer, then upsetting the paint pots come fall. Playing in such extraordinary settings will surely restore your love of the game
And golf here is different than anyplace else. Why?
Nature has done most of the designing. The mountains, valleys, foliage and views have been in place for centuries, waiting for savvy architects to route the holes and apply finishing touches. Because every parcel of land is unique, each course is, too. Some range along the flanks of mountains, rising and falling hundreds of feet and presenting stunning vistas at every turn. Others follow winding streams through cool valleys shaded by age-old trees.
Conditions are ideal. West Virginia is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than most of the Mid-Atlantic region, so play is comfortable from May through October. Fairways and greens are lush and inviting, and the surrounding scene varies with the seasons – from the bright, fresh colors of spring- and summer-blooming plants through the rich earth tones of fall foliage. Groundskeepers take pride in grooming their courses and playing surfaces are nicely prepared.
No rush, no fuss, no waiting. You'll find the pace in the Mountain State is leisurely, and courses are seldom crowded. There's time to smell the wildflowers, savor the views, watch the wildlife, and study that birdie putt. In the clubhouse, you'll probably chat with folks who are happy to share their local knowledge of the course and the area.
Choices. You can find any kind and degree of challenge you want, from wide, forgiving valley layouts to tight, technical tracks with no margin for error – and everything in between. There are courses at world-famous resorts and rustic state parks, and even on lands once used for coal mining that have been beautifully restored.
What’s more, most courses are in or near resorts with lodging, dining and activities for the entire family. Among the most notable are The Greenbrier, which is consistently named one of the world’s top golf resorts, and the Arnold Palmer Signature Course at Stonewall Resort. The Woods Resort in Hedgesville is close to Washington, D.C. and Oglebay Park in Wheeling offers three course choices.
And did you know the first organized golf club in the United States actually began in West Virginia back in 1884 at Oakhurst Links near Lewisburg? At this restored nine-hole gem, golfers can still tee up on a dollop of sand and strike it with ancient wooden clubs across a sheep-mown fairway.
Whether you prefer classic or modern, there’s a course just for you in the Mountain State.
