The 4th hole is a dramatic downhill par-five that descends to cliffs still high above Lake Cheat. As with all the holes at Lakeview, you must be vigilant to keep your shots on the fairway.
Morgantown, West Virginia is the home to the West Virginia University and also the home for the Lakeview Resort. Its venerable Lakeview Course designed by James Harrison and his son-in-law Ferdinand Garbin. It began as 9-holes, but the present 18 holes in completed in 1954 and has proven a stalwart of West Virginia golf ever since. These were two accomplished golf course architects in the region with the elder Harrison learning the trade from the esteemed Scot, Donald Ross so you can appreciate the pedigree that the Lakeview Course has going for it.
The Lakeview Course reflects traditional wooded parkland values as closely cropped fairways wind through narrow treed corridors to the medium-sized greens. To say that there are plenty of undulations and elevation changes in the terrain is an understatement. This is a complete examination. Stronger hitters will be wise to hit less than drivers or be adept in working their shots into the sloped fairways. Many of the putting surfaces are elevated making the course play longer than its stated 6,760 yards from the tips. Once on the greens, anything hole-high or above the cup is surely a delicate manner.
The 7th is yet another of the spectacular downhill par-fives at Lakeview. Above is a view from the tee and below is looking back up the fairway from the hole.
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While many of holes seem to play uphill, three of the par-fives play much shorter from the engaging elevated tee boxes. In fact, the quartet of par-fives ranks in my mind among the best and most beautiful of any in America. The beast of the bunch, however, the uphill 620-yard finishing hole. It has never been reached in two shots as the trees tower over this dogleg left. In fact, just getting on in three shots is a proud accomplishment for any skill level of player. Jack Nicklaus holds the course record of 5-under 67 finishing his round with a drive, a mighty five-iron through the trees, and a powerful 8-iron to reach the green. What an incredibly challenging finishing hole!
I call the 18th at Lakeview the toughest finishing par-five in America. Those carts out there in the middle of the fairway still have about 180 yards uphill to the putting surface!
The second golf course, the Mountainview Course designed by Brian Ault, opened in 1985 and is situated only a short drive from the resort. Several other amenities will be sure to entice people to stay at Lakeview and they include a 40,000 square foot Fitness Complex, 187 rooms and 52 condos for rent, the Fusion Restaurant, and Legends Sport Bar & Grille.
There are many other things to do at this fun resort, and I discovered some truly amazing golf packages available. Overall, the Lakeview Resort may be among the best stay-and-play golf values in West Virginia if not beyond – and the golf is sure to please.
There are few level lies and just as few wide open fairways at Lakeview. This is one of the larger corridors with a view to golfers approaching the uphill second green.
