WV golf springs into action

As frost and rain turns to sunny skies, golfers in the Huntington area are dusting off their clubs and flocking to their favorite golf course.

Sugarwood Golf Club in Lavalette, W.Va., is an 18-hole, par 72 course that offers over 6,500 yards of fairways, greens and roughs.  Established in 1965 and later purchased by PGA pro Ed Allen in 1980, Sugarwood Golf Club features Bermuda grass fairways, creeks, ponds and sand bunkers, said Michael Cuadra, Sugarwood employee.

Open to the public, Sugarwood Golf Club is ever-changing and each hole featured on the course gets made over from time to time, Cuadra said.

Sugarwood is home to a pro shop with an extensive collection of new and used golf clubs and items.  The pro shop carries gear from brands such as Adidas, Foot Joy, Ping, Taylor Made, Nike Golf, Cobra, Titleist and Callaway, Cuadra said.

The Esquire Golf Course in Barboursville, W.Va., is a par 72 course featuring approximately 6,900 yards of playing room.  The course has minimal hazards, no sand and the bent grass terrain on the greens and fairways are moderately flat, said Frank Ayers, Esquire Golf Course employee.

Built in 1973, this semi-private, 18-hole course is open to non-members upon reservation.  Collered shirts are required, but denim is accepted. 

"I prefer the course because I am nowhere near a great golf player," said Jimmy King, Huntington resident and golf enthusiast.  "The fairways are straight, wide and flat, which is always good when you're not the best."

Twin Silos at Lavalette Golf Course features over 6,200 yards of swinging space.  The course originally opened in 1991, but recently opted for a name change to Twin Silos at Lavalette.  Designed by Bill Ward, this course offers 18 holes and is a par 71, Ayers said.

Set among a wooded area, this semi-private course features a driving range, rental carts and a staff professional on site.  Twin Silos has a pro shop that features some of the top golf brands out there, Ayers said.

"The course can be challenging at times," said Sam Cunningham, Twin Silos employee.  "There is a par six with water on the left and hidden behind a mound on the right.  The course can be extreme but very entertaining."

Members and newcomers have flocked to Twin Silos not just for golf, but for the scenery along the course.

"The trees, lake, the well-manicured fairways and greens all add to the Twin Silos experience," King said. 

Kelly Crouch can be contacted at crouch16@marshall.edu.