Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: One of West Virginia's more heralded public layouts, Stonewall enjoys a lot of movement in the terrain and no housing on the property, but the pedestrian hole designs and deplorable turf conditions hold it back from being better than it could be. Grade C-
Quick Facts
Designer: Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry 1999
Cost:
Phone Number: 304-269-7400
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Stonewall Resort's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 940 Resort Drive , Roanoke, West Virginia 26477 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Stonewall Resort
What to Expect: Located near the heart of West Virginia on the shores of Stonewall Jackson Lake, the Stonewall Resort is an Arnold Palmer layout that rests among 1,900 acres of protected parkland that creates an isolated setting away from the world. The terrain is typical of what you'd find in West Virginia with rolling hills, plenty of trees, and sparkling water at nearly every turn. Though the fairways are lined with heavy tree lines, the driving widths are generous enough for players to swing freely with their driver. The greensites could be classified as typical, with relatively tame contours and standard bunkering protecting them. Virtually everyone will utilize a cart while playing the course considering the resort setup and hilly terrain. While the setting and terrain would allow for a fantastic mountain golf experience, the lack of intrigue with the hole designs and the deplorable conditioning paired with overgrown foliage make it difficult to enjoy.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 72 | 7149 | 75.3 | 143 |
| Gold | 72 | 6726 | 73.2 | 131 |
| Blue | 72 | 6227 | 70.0 | 131 |
| White | 72 | 5821 | 68.3 | 122 |
| Black | 72 | 5297 | 66.1 | 117 |
| Red (Ladies) | 72 | 4921 | 69.6 | 127 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 6th Hole – 166 Yard Par 3 – A one-shotter over the water to a green surrounded by a quintet of bunkers awaits at Stonewall's signature 5th hole. The front right side of the green slopes away from players and tumbles balls towards the water, so taking aim at the center of the putting surface is a great decision no matter where the flag is.
Best Par 3: 16th Hole – 210 Yards – More dramatic than the signature hole, the 16th drops 50 feet from tee to green with a pond looming on the right side. The front of the putting surface is narrow and the green falls off hard on the left side and in the rear. It is an extremely demanding tee shot that can swing a match in a hurry late in the round.
Best Par 4: 5th Hole – 429 Yards – The 5th is a dogleg right with dense forest protecting the inside of the hole and the fairway tilted right towards the trouble. The approach shot is blessed to feature the lake as the backdrop and delivers a surreal setting in the mornings. Keeping the ball up the left side will avoid the bunker and thick foliage on the right, and even features a bit of a kicker plate to feed balls left of the green onto the putting surface.
Best Par 5: 18th Hole – 568 Yards – The closing hole at Stonewall is a par five that traverses over rolling terrain where level lies are a rare find and trees frame the outsides of the fairway. The timber thins out near the green that is set at the base of a hill and is protected by a bunker of bunkers short left and an additional bunker long right. The opening to the putting surface is pretty generous up the right side, so if you have the juice to reach the green in two it is a good time to press if you are confident hitting that line. With the clubhouse looming up and to the left, onlookers will be anxious to see shots coming in on Stonewall's final hole.
Birdie Time: 14th Hole – 321 Yard Par 4 – Here is your chance to take a stroke back from Old Man Par. Measuring just 321 yards and playing downhill, the 14th hole is a classic risk/reward opportunity with this bunkerless hole featuring a meandering creek up the right side. The fairway tightens as it approaches the green, but even the choice to layup can be rewarded with a short wedge shot into a relatively tame green that is anxious to yield some birdies.
Bogey Beware: 17th Hole – 455 Yard Par 4 – The closing stretch of holes at Stonewall test your merit to the bitter end, and 17 may be the most difficult of them all. A long two-shotter, players run out of room 300 yards down the fairway but the hole plays shorter as it drops over 40 feet from the tee to the end of the fairway. The approach shot is a forced carry over a creek and marsh area, while a ghost tree stands waiting to cause havoc with approach shots coming in from the left side. The green is angled from front right to back left with bunkers in front and back of the green, creating a very demanding approach shot with the front third being very narrow to hit. Stonewall's penultimate hole is a substantial test where par will almost always be victorious.
