If you’re looking for a fun drive-to golf destination, one which may have eluded you, you’ll enjoy hearing about The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, West Virginia, on Episode 159 of the “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast. Mitch Laurance shares his thoughts with co-host Darin Bunch on the glory of Glade Springs after a recent visit in which Mitch and his wife Ewa drove from their home in Myrtle Beach while their two friends drove from Lansing, Michigan, meeting in the middle for a golf getaway.
You’ll find out why Glade Springs was the foursome’s choice after cancelling their planned trip to Scotland; why this West Virginia location stands out for its proximity to many different drive-from cities; and why its combination of three golf courses, terrific lodging options, multiple activities and great food “hang spots” make it a natural for traveling summer golfers.
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Mitch details the golf courses, beginning with the highly-ranked Cobb Course, designed by legendary architect George Cobb in 1972, renovated by Tom Clark, and host to many elite events, including U.S. Open qualifiers, the West Virginia Open, the NCAA National Championships and the Monday Qualifier for the nearby PGA Tour stop at The Greenbrier. He shares the foursome’s opening-round delight on playing the Cobb Course, noting the beauty of the surroundings, the elevation changes and the most prominent feature of the Cobb Course: the greens. Massive and undulating, the green complexes made for a round full of fun and challenge, the perfect start to their Glade Springs vacation.
Mitch then describes the Stonehaven Course, and you’ll find out why it vaulted onto his Top 25 list of destination courses ever played, citing the magnificent design work of Tom Clark in creating a balance between the beautiful natural mountain surroundings, huge rock outcroppings, and a course that features a variety of stunning hole designs while offering player-friendly chipping and pitching areas around the greens. Mitch relates how the best endorsement Stonehaven could possible get was his wife’s desire to go right back out for an “Emergency 9” as soon as they finished, a first for her in more than 30 years of golf travel.
The last of the three Glade Springs courses, Woodhaven, presented challenges of a different sort for the four players. After talking by phone with Clark, Mitch explains how he got an understanding of a number of features that made Woodhaven more of an experience to be enjoyed rather than a golf round against which to measure your game. Because of circumstances at the beginning of construction, a complete build-out of the architect’s design was impossible, leaving Woodhaven with a few less-than-ideal characteristics. The foursome decided to simply embrace the unique features, which included severely sloped fairways and numerous blind shots, and enjoy the fantastic scenery, the camaraderie and the laughs the round produced.
Mitch then lists the wide variety of family activities and lodging options at Glade Springs, and talks about the fun atmosphere and good food at the Bunker Bar, which the foursome visited often, located above the Cobb Course clubhouse, as is the Glades Restaurant, where they enjoyed a world-class dinner overlooking the 18th hole of the Cobb Course. He also gives kudos to another wonderful dinner at The Dish Café, a spot he considers a must-visit when staying at Glade Springs. It’s located in the nearby town of Beaver, away from the resort, and is owned and operated by Mitch’s Glade Springs connection, Michelle Rotellini, CEO of the Berkley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce.
Given its fantastic atmosphere, surroundings, golf courses, food, lodging, activities and customer service, it’s obvious why The Resort at Glade Springs should be high on your next golf getaway list.
—Words by Mitch Laurance
