America’s resort gets even better with a redesigned Meadows course and new Sam Snead Golf Academy
By Jack Houvouras
HQ 35 | SPRING 1999
For more than 80 years, golfing has been a highly-regarded feature of The Greenbrier experience in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The five-star resort renowned for offering its guests the best of everything has never rested on its laurels, especially when it comes to golf. Whether it was asking Jack Nicklaus to redesign the Greenbrier course for the 1979 Ryder Cup matches or naming golf legend and longtime friend Sam Snead as the resort’s golf pro emeritus in 1993, The Greenbrier has always been committed to providing the ultimate golfing experience.
This year is no exception. In May, the resort renamed and reopened the old Lakeside Course, now known as the Meadows Course, after extensive renovations. One month later, officials opened the newly-constructed Greenbrier Sam Snead Golf Academy. Both developments help make The Greenbrier one of the most dedicated resorts in the world when it comes to the enjoyment and science of the game of golf.
The Meadows Course was at first a nine-hole layout built in 1910 by Alex Findlay. Originally named The Lakeside Course, it was expanded to an 18-hole championship course by Dick Wilson in 1962. Last year, the course was completely renovated and renamed The Meadows. The renovation has dramatically improved both aesthetics and playability. The course offers spectacular views of Whiterock Mountain framed by the Midland gap to the west of the resort.
The extensive changes added two new holes built on the site of the old airport runway next to Route 60. One of the new holes, the par 4 11th, is the best and most scenic on the course. The dog-leg left hole measuring 430 yards from the gold tees is guarded on the right by a scenic lake while the green is framed in the background by a gorgeous mountain vista. The course is further enhanced by meandering creeks and streams that gush near several putting surfaces.
Water hazards with rock walls were added in front of three greens. The bunkers alongside all 18 holes have been redone. Tees on 17 holes have been rebuilt as well.
A total of 200 spruces, oaks, maples, willows and birches were added to enhance the design qualities and vision of Atlanta-based golf course architect, Bob Cupp. Additionally dozens of dogwood, weeping mulberry and cherry trees were planted to enhance the aesthetics year round.
Opened on June 1, The Greenbrier Sam Snead Golf Academy will be used for multi-day golf academy packages, private lessons and daily golf package clinics. The academy features an expansive 65,000 square foot tee area, four different putting, chipping and pitching greens, a 165 foot long practice bunker and a practice fairway bunker.
The 2,000 square foot academy building has videotape capability, covered hitting and putting areas, two classrooms and a lounge area. A ten-foot porch wraps around the entire building which mirrors the appearance of the Golf Club.
The Greenbrier Sam Snead Golf Academy will feature instruction that will provide guests the opportunity to improve all aspects of their game by applying the teaching theories of Sam Snead that have made him one of the most successful golfers in history.
Whether it is the new Sam Snead Golf Academy or the newly renovated Meadows Course, The Greenbrier continues to make great strides in improving the enjoyment and understanding of the game of golf.
