Courtesy of the club
Jane Greer
Jane Greer
Jane Greer
Stephen Szurlej
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Joann Dost
Pikewood National Golf Club
Morgantown, WV • Private
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.
Highest ranking (and previous): 30th.
2025-'26 ranking: 31st.
Best in State: Ranked 1st in West Virginia since 2013.
2025-'26 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
“The history and stories of this course only make it better. A tough walk and a tough but fair course that demands you play well or find out. Par threes were on point and the caddies were an added bonus. At one view you could see Maryland, and Pennsylvania in the hills of west Virgina. The toughest things about Pikewood is the drive in. :)"
Read More2025
Review
“This is a very challenging course from a playing and a walking standpoint. No carts are allowed and there is a lot of elevation change, especially on the front nine. The design and aesthetics make it well worth the effort. There are numerous stunning views and great variety among the holes. The background story that produced a course of this quality is also unique. You’d never guess that one of the country’s best courses is hidden on a hilltop off tiny rounds in West Virginia."
Read More2025
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
