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You have probably made the trek to the Carolina's or Florida on so many occasions that you can do it with your eyes shut. Well maybe you should pay more attention when traveling through the State of West Virginia because you will be missing some of the finest World Class caliber golf in America. Best of all it is very affordable.

You have the Palmer and Trent Jones courses at Oglebay, The Palmer Signature Course at Stonewall and two exceptional courses at Glade Springs, The Cobb Course and Stonehaven - as good as any 1 -2 punch in the State. And, near Beckley, tucked into the center of the State is the Gary Player designed Snowshoe Mountain, part of the Intrawest Village.

But your one of a kind opportunity lies in a tranquil valley near Clarksburg, West Virginia just 2 miles west of the well traveled Interstate #79. There is only one golf club in the world that is called The Pete Dye Club. This masterpiece has received many accolades from top writers across the country and around the world.

Unlike most of the prestigious private clubs in America this club allows, at the discretion of the Golf Staff, up to 3 tee times per day to be used for outside play. If this course was built in almost any part of the country you will be looking at a big ticket to play this quality. $140.00 USD is the green fee here and that includes cart, range balls and taxes. Truly a bargain!

We were put onto this course by Randy Hernly Head Golf Professional at Stonewall Resort. After playing around Stonewall's impressive Arnold Palmer Signature Designed Course and enjoying a cold one with excellent company, Hernly asked us if The Pete Dye Club was on the itinerary of our journey throughout the state. "I have never heard of it" was my reply. "It would be a shame for you to be this close and not at least stop in for a quick peak." He replied.

We are forever grateful. Not only did we stop in for a quick peak that turned into a 2 hour visit but we arranged to stay an extra day to test our skills on a course that now ranks in my top 5 in the world.

We arrived plenty early for our tee time and started snapping photos even before we entered the gateway to the property that is appropriately divided by a coal car. The course itself is built on a former coal mining site and throughout your round you will come across elements of the coal industry that proceeded today's course.

By far the most memorable of the coal industry remnants is the coal mine tunnel that leads you from the 6th green to the 7th tee. Yes that is correct, you actually drive through a historic mine shaft, with grungy water, wooden beams and original lighting. But apparently there is more to this passageway than meets the eye. I was advised by one of the course maintenance workers, after my second time through, that there is a 9 foot black snake that likes to make its home in there and hanging from the rafters is a favorite past time. I am not a big fan of snakes, but I am pretty sure that curiosity will get the better of me the next time I play here. For the real faint at heart there is an alternative way to get to the 7th tee.

Usually I like to pick a few holes that are my personal favorites to write about but in this case I had a very difficult time deciding. As the legendary Pete Dye himself describes this course "It is eighteen of the most exciting and memorable holes that I have ever built on one course." I would strongly recommend that you visit www.petedye.com and check out their hole by hole layout. There is no doubt in my mind that you will want to surf the entire site.

If you are lucky enough to have the time to stop over at The Pete Dye Club, check out the excellent lodging on the website which offers several options including the Black Diamond Lodge that can accommodate up to 60 people and 18 Townhouses that are conveniently located within walking distance of the clubhouse. Rates start from as low as $65.00 USD per person per night based on double occupancy.

For reservations or tee times call 1-877-PETEDYE or email them at info@petedye.com

Claudio DeMarchi is the Co-Publisher of The Traveling Golfer.

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