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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
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