Page 46 - The Golf Guide, Summer 2017

Golf Destination

Charles Town, WV ~ Golf ‘N Gamble

Nick Ciattei

Czervik: I'll bet you a hundred bucks you slice it into the woods.
Judge Smails: Gambling is illegal at Bushwood sir, and I NEVER SLICE!

[Swings club, slices ball into woods] —Caddyshack 1980
Well Judge Smails, I hate to disagree
with you, but the sport of golf and
gambling activities go hand in hand. I
would venture to say that not long after
the first golf shot was struck many,
many moons ago that some type of
wager was probably made. I’ve always
said if you golf with friends and no
wagers occur, they must not be really
good friends! After all, who better to
take a couple bucks from than a good
compadre. Most bets on the golf course
are friendly stakes, the ante and pot
never break anyone’s bank. Another
solid connection between the sport of
golf and legalized gambling occurs off
the course. Many of the golfers I know
love playing the ponies or sitting in on
a Texas Hold’em poker game. No area
in our region combines all three like
Charles Town, West Virginia.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that Charles Town Races’ thoroughbred track
struggled and faced certain demise. Slot machines and table games saved the
historic facility, and now horse racing not only still lives, it has gotten better than
ever. The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races also has several outstanding
restaurants and the Event Center features national acts and comedians. You will
definitely find a first-class center for entertainment and fun there.
The Turf Rodeway Inn and Suites have put together golf packages for many years.
Their location adjacent to the casino and track make them a winning choice for
arranging a golf trip there. The Marcus
family owned and operated it since
1955. They rebuilt after a fire in 2000
and expanded it over their tenure. The
infamous horse structure still welcomes
guests perched high atop the entrance
canopy. The property, now a Choice
Hotel, features a rewards program.
Amenities include a free continental
breakfast, free casino shuttle, a sports

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