Page 10 - GG_20-1
P. 10

Golf Destination                                                                                                                     Golf Destination





                     Oglebay Resort & Conference Center                                                                  1962. The driving range doubles as a
                           A “Nature”-all Experience                                                                     ski slope in the winter months  One
                                                                                                                         key event in Oglebay Resort’s history
                                     Nick Ciattei                                                                        that brought significant change would
                                                                                                                         most likely be the opening of the
                                                                                                                         Wilson Lodge in 1957. That turning
                                                                                                                         point transformed the property into a
          Wheeling, West Virginia, treats visitors to a fascinating resort that offers plenty of                         year-round vacation spot. Consequently,
          great golf among their many amenities  Oglebay Resort & Conference Center has                                  the two championship golf courses that
          three distinct golf courses, but what stood out most about my stay at Oglebay was   Jones Course Hole 4        were added, the Jones in 1970 and the
          my return to nature. You see, Oglebay stretches out over nearly 1,800 acres with                               Palmer in 2000, moved Oglebay into the
          abundant wildlife, walking trails, and gardens at every turn. This exquisite property   golf resort category  Both outstanding tracks form the Speidel Golf Club and round
          located inside Wheeling Park serves as the backdrop for a wonderful resort and golf   out the golfing menu of sixty-three sporting holes at Oglebay.
          destination
                                                                                         I tend to agree with the consensus that
          We must go back more than 100 years to trace the resort’s                      the course designed by the legendary
          tradition of hospitality started by Earl W. Oglebay. He eventually             Robert Trent Jones, Sr is the most
          willed his property, including his estate and mansion, to the people           challenging that you will find during
          of Wheeling and only requested that they “shall operate it for                 your stay at Oglebay. The multiple tee
          public recreation.” The City of Wheeling has remained committed                placements allow the course to play
          to his stipulation, as Oglebay Resort has provided year-round                  from 7000 yards at the tips to just 4659
          recreational activities and exceptional overnight accommodations               yards from the forward set  It was the
          for generations of families and groups                                         first public course undertaken by Jones,
                                                                                         who described his layout as “a fair test       Jones Course Hole 9
          Golf at Oglebay
                                                                                         of golf” but one that would lead to an
                                                                                         “easy bogey, tough par.” The so-called
                                          Golf arrived at Oglebay on July 4, 1930,       “Monster on the Hill” played host to the
                                          when the front nine at Crispin Golf            West Virginia LPGA Classic from 1974
                                          Course opened  One of the focal points         till 1984, so you know it packs a punch
                                          of the Crispin Center, the course added        The modern marvel at the Arnold Palmer
                                          a second nine and golf shop in 1938 as         Signature Golf Course was added due
                                          construction continued through the             to the demand golfers placed on the
                                          depression by the Civilian Conservation        other two courses. It quickly became the
                                          Corps. The Crispin Course perfectly            favorite of the lot for its playability and
                                          complements the other golf choices                                                           Palmer Course Hole 9
           Crispin Course Hole 1          available at Oglebay Resort. The very          clever, novel design features that include
                                                                                         six par 3 holes, seven par 4 holes, and five
                                                                                         par 5 holes. The Palmer track offers plenty of scoring opportunities and signature
          playable 5 670-yard par 71 Crispin Golf                                        moments during a round and like the Jones, has quite a few awe-inspiring elevation
          Course rolls over hills and valleys quite                                      changes  It’s a must play on your stay at Oglebay
          naturally. The builders of the iconic
          Oakmont Country Club also roughed
          in the actual greens here, and this
          golfer found the putting surfaces quite
          interesting. Crispin has quite a story to
          tell ... Arnold Palmer played the course
          for the first time in an exhibition match
          in 1963 and walked off with a 9-under         Crispin Course Hole 7
          course record. Play this terrific set of
          par 3s, along with some reachable par 5s, and you will understand why the Crispin
          Course has been a regional favorite for more than 80 years. The picturesque Par
          3 and Driving Range Clubhouse on the north side of the park became a reality in

                                                                                                                           Palmer Course Hole 14 (forefront) Hole 15 (rear)
      8                                                       GOLFGUIDEINC.COM       WINTER 2018                                                          9
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15