East Coast/MidWest Resorts

[akronswitness]

Hello, I need help planning a trip. A buddy and myself are looking to drive for a long weekend to go to a golf resort for 3-ish days and get a couple rounds in while exploring the surrounding area. We are in central Ohio so we are looking at places in Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia/Upstate New York to keep the drive time around 5 hours or less. Had other friends taking a trip to upstate MI to go play Bay Harbor but that seems a little too far (9hr drive) and way too expensive ($250 round)

The only resort I know of near here that people travel to is Oglebay in WV but it doesnt seem like a whole lot to do there outside of the hotel/resort itself. Does anybody else have any good recommendations in that same-ish area? I keep thinking upstate NY must have a bunch of golf resorts that are decently priced maybe near Holiday Valley ski resort or that general area.

 

Any help?

[Argonne69]

44 minutes ago, akronswitness said:

Hello, I need help planning a trip. A buddy and myself are looking to drive for a long weekend to go to a golf resort for 3-ish days and get a couple rounds in while exploring the surrounding area. We are in central Ohio so we are looking at places in Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia/Upstate New York to keep the drive time around 5 hours or less. Had other friends taking a trip to upstate MI to go play Bay Harbor but that seems a little too far (9hr drive) and way too expensive ($250 round)

The only resort I know of near here that people travel to is Oglebay in WV but it doesnt seem like a whole lot to do there outside of the hotel/resort itself. Does anybody else have any good recommendations in that same-ish area? I keep thinking upstate NY must have a bunch of golf resorts that are decently priced maybe near Holiday Valley ski resort or that general area.

 

Any help?

 

How about Nemacolin south of Pittsburgh? Mystic Rock and Shepherds Rock are supposed to be a couple of the best courses in Pennsylvania. Probably not much to do in the area, but it's a 90 minute drive to Pittsburgh. 

 

Turning Stone Resort in New York has three ecc courses, but it's 7 hours from Akron. 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Argonne69

[akronswitness]

55 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

How about Nemacolin south of Pittsburgh? Mystic Rock and Shepherds Rock are supposed to be a couple of the best courses in Pennsylvania. Probably not much to do in the area, but it's a 90 minute drive to Pittsburgh. 

 

Turning Stone Resort in New York has three ecc courses, but it's 7 hours from Akron. 

 

 

Awesome thanks for the suggestions. I have in fact heard of Nemacolin before (they promote it on every sports talk radio show in Ohio lol) cant believe I didnt think of that one.

 

We're actually in Columbus now, so given where we are its a bit easier to get to the southern states like Kentucky/West Virginia/Virginia or central Pennsylvania in a 3-5 hr drive than New York which depending where is pushing 7-8 hours. I was just thinking if there was something around the Western part of NY like Buffalo/Jamestown/Niagra Falls that would only be around 5 hrs.

 

If we arnt able to find anything I might just see if we can somehow get in a Muirfield which is like 15 mins down the street 😄

Edited January 6, 2023 by akronswitness

[StudentGolfer4]

French Lick, Indiana would be a solid trip. 2 courses at the resort, and Sultans Run is 30 minutes away or so. The last few years they have been packaging them together. French Lick Ross and Sultans will be around $100-125. The Dye course is significantly more expensive but includes free replays so playing 36 makes it a bit more cost affective. Should be 4-4:30 hours from Columbus area. 

[postfold]

5 hours ago, akronswitness said:

Any help?

 

Maybe take a look at Gull Lake View in MI - 4.5 hours from Columbus, not far from Kalamazoo so things to explore there, 30 minutes to casino, an hour to Grand Rapids if you want even more to do options.

[akronswitness]

5 hours ago, postfold said:

 

Maybe take a look at Gull Lake View in MI - 4.5 hours from Columbus, not far from Kalamazoo so things to explore there, 30 minutes to casino, an hour to Grand Rapids if you want even more to do options.

 

Perfect thank you, just looking for things to do when not golfing and in the evening. Good restaurants nearby, maybe a few taverns, ect

 

Just looked up Nemacolin and holy crap. 1,100+ per day for hotel and golf. Apparently they have a ton of stuff to do but no thank you lol Oglebay has a great price of $335 for a weekend of golf/stay but after looking at the pictures it doesnt look like a overly nice course. It looks like a really nice public course with a hotel slapped on the property lol

 

Ill give this Gull Lake View a look

[DoughBack18]

19 hours ago, akronswitness said:

Hello, I need help planning a trip. A buddy and myself are looking to drive for a long weekend to go to a golf resort for 3-ish days and get a couple rounds in while exploring the surrounding area. We are in central Ohio so we are looking at places in Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia/Upstate New York to keep the drive time around 5 hours or less. Had other friends taking a trip to upstate MI to go play Bay Harbor but that seems a little too far (9hr drive) and way too expensive ($250 round)

The only resort I know of near here that people travel to is Oglebay in WV but it doesnt seem like a whole lot to do there outside of the hotel/resort itself. Does anybody else have any good recommendations in that same-ish area? I keep thinking upstate NY must have a bunch of golf resorts that are decently priced maybe near Holiday Valley ski resort or that general area.

 

Any help?

Are you dead set on staying at a resort, or are you just looking to find some decent golf for a few days in one of these areas? There are definitely some great options, and places you could plan a good long weekend trip around in my region (s central Pa), but as far as true golf resorts in the area you’re a little more limited. 

[golfandfishing]

As mentioned French Lick is a good option. If you aren’t dead set on a stay and play on one property the Indianapolis area has terrific golf as does Louisville. Griffin Gate in Lexington has a course on site and other good ones nearby. 

[MD58]

Based on the first post and the reaction to some of the resort pricing, I think your crew should consider Grand Rapids and some of the public golf options nearby.

 

The Mines, Pilgrims Run, and Diamond Springs are all Mike DeVries designs within 45 minutes or so of downtown Grand Rapids.  All of them can be played for around $75 riding on a weekend.  
 

Stoatin Brae is part of Gull Lake and a tad pricier, but is another really solid track in the Grand Rapids area.

 

Grand Rapids would have plenty of things to do in your downtime from golfing.

[akronswitness]

On 1/7/2023 at 10:55 AM, MD58 said:

Based on the first post and the reaction to some of the resort pricing, I think your crew should consider Grand Rapids and some of the public golf options nearby.

 

The Mines, Pilgrims Run, and Diamond Springs are all Mike DeVries designs within 45 minutes or so of downtown Grand Rapids.  All of them can be played for around $75 riding on a weekend.  
 

Stoatin Brae is part of Gull Lake and a tad pricier, but is another really solid track in the Grand Rapids area.

 

Grand Rapids would have plenty of things to do in your downtime from golfing.

 

I looked at Soatin Brae and it's the leader in the clubhouse right now (pun intended) 

 

The reason for the pricing being a issue is that I'm taking a beginner-ish level golfer. Paying $250 a round for him to lose $100 of balls every hole is silly so this isote of a trip to stay at a place, play some good golf and eat a some nice restaurants/go out in the evening.

 

Some of these courses I've seen are just insanely priced IMO. I've golfed in Naples FLA and the Carolinas at really nice courses and haven't paid close to what some of these places in Pennsylvania are charging so it makes me raise an eyebrow.

 

I did ask a family member and the places their recommended are 1) Oglebay, WV 2) The Pines, WV and 3) Seven Springs resort, PA if anybody has been to those to have an opinion.

Edited January 8, 2023 by akronswitness

[akronswitness]

On 1/7/2023 at 8:25 AM, DoughBack18 said:

Are you dead set on staying at a resort, or are you just looking to find some decent golf for a few days in one of these areas? There are definitely some great options, and places you could plan a good long weekend trip around in my region (s central Pa), but as far as true golf resorts in the area you’re a little more limited. 

Ehh, either way but I like the concept of a resort because of ease of booking purposes for a 'package'.

 

Thanks for the response. I was told about Seven Springs resort. I've been there 20x for snowboarding but never golf. Have you been?

Edited January 8, 2023 by akronswitness

[goduke7]

Boyne up in Michigan is nice. Lots of options in and around Niagara on the Lake (Canada) but no resort proper. 

[Argonne69]

I was going to suggest Forest Dunes, but once again the price tag is a little on the high side. Excellent golf with FD, The Loop Red and Black, and the short course, but the rounds are nearly $200 a pop. 'Might be able to wrangle a package deal. 

 

[DoughBack18]

On 1/8/2023 at 5:42 PM, akronswitness said:

Ehh, either way but I like the concept of a resort because of ease of booking purposes for a 'package'.

 

Thanks for the response. I was told about Seven Springs resort. I've been there 20x for snowboarding but never golf. Have you been?

I was out there this year for a conference but did not get to golf, the weather didn’t cooperate the day prior. Course looked nice enough from what I could tell, proshop was also well appointed. If you’ve been there for skiing I’m sure you noticed there is very little else for entertainment in that whole region of the state. More bears than people as my boss says. Just something to consider!

 

I’m not sure what your budget is or how nice of courses you are looking to play. But Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York, PA has a hotel/restaurants on site with the golf course. I was a member there for 10+ years… course is decent enough, they’ve hosted the PA state championship for a number of years. They do stay and play packages, and its not going to break the bank. Could consider doing 1 or 2 rounds there and 1 or 2 at some other good local sites using that as home base. 
 

Iron Valley is about 45 minutes and is top notch. Pilgrims Oak is a similar distance and is another great public layout. Dauphin Highlands is also an excellent track 35 minutes from there. 

Not going to be bucket list items or anything, but some really solid golf for reasonable rates!

[Stro2014]

On 1/8/2023 at 4:32 PM, akronswitness said:

 

I looked at Soatin Brae and it's the leader in the clubhouse right now (pun intended) 

 

The reason for the pricing being a issue is that I'm taking a beginner-ish level golfer. Paying $250 a round for him to lose $100 of balls every hole is silly so this isote of a trip to stay at a place, play some good golf and eat a some nice restaurants/go out in the evening.

 

Some of these courses I've seen are just insanely priced IMO. I've golfed in Naples FLA and the Carolinas at really nice courses and haven't paid close to what some of these places in Pennsylvania are charging so it makes me raise an eyebrow.

 

I did ask a family member and the places their recommended are 1) Oglebay, WV 2) The Pines, WV and 3) Seven Springs resort, PA if anybody has been to those to have an opinion.

 

So I've played Oglebay hundreds of times over the years, and while i think they have the 2 best public access courses in the immediate area I don't think I would be traveling very far to play them. Conditions should be decent for the price. The greens are usually in good shape. The last year they have really been rolling nice. The Palmer course is pretty forgiving tee to green, while the Jones course can be a little more demanding with a few goofy holes in my opinion.

 

As for The Pines, its a country club in Morgantown, WV. If you know anyone that can get you on there I definitely prefer it to the Oglebay courses. They've hosted a handful of USGA qualifiers over the years and the conditions are usually good. Lakeview golf resort is also in Morgantown with two courses (Lakeview/Mountainview) if you're looking for another round down there. Not always in the best shape though.

 

Nemacolin is great, but you're right the price to play for a beginner might not be worth it.