Pikewood National Golf Club
Morgantown, WV • Private
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Overview
In 2000, mining company officers John Raese and Bob Gwynne started building a golf course on a newly acquired parcel of forest that their firm will eventually—a hundred years from now—mine for high quality limestone. Using company engineers and construction equipment, and guidance by veteran tour pros Johnny Pott and Dow Finsterwald, they spent almost a decade creating Pikewood National. A natural waterfall became the backdrop for their par-3 fifth hole and the linchpin of their routing, which plays along bluffs, through forest over rapids and, on the hook-shaped par-5 eighth, around a gulch.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
2023-'24 ranking: 30th (highest).
Previous ranking: 33rd.
Best in State: Ranked 1st in West Virginia since 2013.
Current ranking: 1st.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Awesome layout with great par 3's. You get a variety of long and short par 3's and even a natural waterfall behind the 5th hole. The views are incredible with a couple of par 4 that are very hard and long. The only draw back is the course is a tough walk."
Read More2024
Review
“As good as it gets and some of the most beautiful mountain views found anywhere."
Read More2024
Review
“Breathtaking views."
Read More2024
Review
“Strong natural aesthetics flow as you progress through the routing unveiling wide vistas. Challenge from the lengthy total yardage with a strong set of par 3's including a natural waterfall & a wide redan. Each hole is on its own surrounded by trees and limestone. "Audacity" par-5 played around a gorge. Not seeing any adjacent holes or players combined with the caddie program helped a very challenging course play more fun. Caddies referred to bogeys as the "Pikewood par"."
Read More2024
Review
“This private course located in Morgantown, West Virginia was designed by John Raese and Bob Gwynne(2010) was built in the forest that used to mined for limestone. A routing was mapped out and trees were removed to shape a spectacular golf course with beautiful vistas and elevation changes. The course is walking only and features several forced carries and is long and challenging. 7681 yds from the back tees and 6941 yds from the Men’s tees."
Read More2024
Review
“Truly memorable course on a dramatic site with perfect conditioning"
Read More2023
Review
“A big golf course on top of a mountain which is 5+ miles of walking only. Par3's best holes although the 4's were good, too. Two unusual holes, a par 3 with a natural waterfall and a boomerang par 5. Ultra private."
Read More2023
Review
“Pikewood earns high marks for its amazing scenic 50 miles views into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Every hole is cut through the trees on its own and rarely is another group seen. Fairways go up and gown the mountain and have very generous landing areas, although some blind due the elevation changes. Requires accurate approaches as most greenside bunkers are bordered by virtually unplayable fescue. Bordering as unfair as losing a ball in fescue bordering a green is too severe of a penalty for a barely missed shot, and counters what strategic golf should be about. With the caddie leaving driver for every par 4 or par 5 tee shot, except hole 6, takes away any thought of options for playing lines."
Read More2022
Review
“Wonderful walk through the mountains of West Virginia (walking-only course), with incredible views on 13 of the holes! Despite being a mountain course, the walk is not overbearing. Could be argued the signature hole is 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, or 18! Beautiful natural waterfall behind the 5th green. Trees rarely come into play unless one hits a very wild shot, despite being a heavily wooded course the designer did a masterful job of creating corridors winding through the woods and mountains. Stunning set of par 3's using natural rock features and/or framing of the mountain landscape. Bunkers truly are hazards. Can be extremely challenging if one is long enough to play from the 7600 yard tees with a difficult set of green complexes and thick rough. Par 3's and par 5's have ideal directional design variety."
Read More2022
Review
“Very difficult course. Very private and difficult to get on, but if you do you are in for a treat. Walking only, and it is a very difficult walk. Well conditioned."
Read More2018
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.