There is nothing more refreshing than a course that has put a lot of thought into establishing and maintaining a women friendly layout to include the teeing areas that are well-maintained and accessible. This was my first impression of the Pipestem Resort State Park Golf Course, located in of all places, Pipestem, West Virginia.

The friendly and professional staff was dedicated to make our experience the best possible. What impressed me was the communication between the pro shop and Marshalls, using two-way radios that were not obtrusive and more importantly, quiet. One of the lady Marshalls was obviously enjoying herself. She had a great attitude, was quick to smile and was extremely helpful. All day she was an "apron string" away, without being noticeable.

Before the start of the round, I was directed to the driving range. It was gorgeous and well marked with accurate yardage markers, expansive tee areas and an almost seemingly endless driving area. It was just far enough from the "beaten" path where one could warm-up and hit experimental practice shots, practically unobserved.

The Pipestem Course itself was well manicured, and I didn't feel like I had to touch my ball all day. The pride of the West Virginia State Park was truly reflected in all the areas of this magnificent property.

Each hole had its own distinctive design feature that rewarded a good shot, but a poorer shot wasn't penalized either.

Although the deer were everywhere, they were nestled in the grass. When we spotted them on the fairway, they seemed unfazed by our presence and moseyed off to watch us from the woods. I was having a hard time concentrating on my game because the abundance of wildlife was distracting in a good way.

When you get a chance to visit this lovely layout, enjoy your walk in the Park.

from Ladies Golf Journey - Jul/Aug 2003