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With
such a rich golf heritage, The Greenbrier
is fortunate to have hosted some
of golf's most prominent players.
You too can walk in the footsteps
of legends such as Sam Snead, Arnold
Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan,
President Dwight D. Eisenhower,
Nick Faldo and Tom Watson, who have
played here. World Golf Hall of
Fame member and the winningest player
in PGA Tour history Sam Snead served
as Golf Professional Emeritus from
1994 until his death in 2002. Watson
became the Greenbrier's second Golf
Professional Emeritus in 2005. It
is unfortunate that his personal
parking spot will be empty for that
weekend - due to scheduling conflicts
Watson will not be on hand for this
event.
Measuring
nearly 7,000 yards and playing to
par 70, The Old White Course was
originally designed by Charles Blair
MacDonald and most recently underwent
an extensive renovation by Lester
George to return it to its original
design, reopening in 2006. In preparation
for the tournament, minimal course
modifications are expected, such
as a couple more tees and an enhanced
practice facility.
"The
Old White Course will make a tremendous
tournament course in a traditional
sense and The Greenbrier will provide
a great experience for both the
players and the fans," Watson
said.
To
find out more about Stay & Play
packages so that you too can walk
the fairways that were walked by
the legends of the past and the
stars of tomorrow visit www.greenbrier.com
or for more information on the Greenbrier
Classic visit www.greenbrierclassic.com
It
has been a busy time for the Justice
Family (owners of the Greenbrier
Resort) with the announcement of
the Greenbrier Classic last fall
and this spring announcing that
it had purchased my favorite golf
resort in West Virginia – Glade
Springs Resort.
Glade
Springs Resort currently has 2 courses
ready for golfers and on May 14th
opened a 3rd, Woodhaven, which will
remain open through October 31st.
I
had the opportunity to get out on
both the Stonehaven and the Cobb
Courses. Both are annual top 5 ranked
courses in the State. One great
golf hole after another, mountain
golf as good as it gets with some
spectacular vistas. And one of the
things that I remember most in speaking
with Mike James, Director of Golf
at Glade Springs after our round,
"if you thought the views were
spectacular on Stonehaven wait until
you get out to play Woodhaven!"
Well, frankly I can't wait and hope
to get out there this season.
The
Cobb Course made me think of Pinehurst
#2 but with a lot more character.
Definitely a shot-makers course
with a premium on the shot into
the green. I would consider the
16th hole as the signature hole.
The first of 3 great finishing holes,
420 yards with multiple carries
over water to a well bunkered green.
The
Cobb Course is the only one of 300
George Cobb designs that bears his
name and has played host to the
West Virginia Open, U.S. Open Qualifiers
and NCAA National Championships.
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