Wheeling Park Municipal (Wheeling, WV)

Wheeling Park is an Emmet Devereux designed executive course. It’s on a quaint piece of property that occupies the very end of a hill. A creek cuts across at the bottom and the rugged landforms create several fun and engaging holes. The first few par fours have long par three length but they reverse camber across the tree line. You’ll be enticed to reach them in one blow but a wild shot will cost you. The third is 309 yards but the green is hidden, dropped below the ridgeline. A giant Sycamore rises from the creek bank, giving away its location. The long hitter who can carry it to the downslope can drive the green. Of course the creek will capture shots that roll too far. Its a very fine hole! 

#3

The next one is a short four that curves slightly atop the bulbous hill. Getting the correct curve on your ball is key, but realistically, a mid iron followed by a little pitch is the correct play. The fifth is our first par three. It’s a cool hole that I’m surprised isn’t replicated more often. There’s a hill between the tee and the green, and only the back half of the putting surface is visible. Fly it or let it carom off the downslope. Nice hole! Then my favorite hole is tackled and it is a real charmer! It’s only 220 but the green is left of treeline from tee. Any golfer worth his salt will chomp at the bit to drive this in one shot. The creek crosses diagonally and will penalize a poor shot. I hit a beautiful three hybrid that finished pin high on the green. What a great hole! 

#6

The seventh is an average par three followed by the short par four eighth who’s sole purpose is to climb the hill so golfers can experience a gorgeous view and an exciting downhill tee shot on the ninth. The last hole also is the longest at 365 yards. Truthfully, if you can par both eight and nine then you’ve done a good job. 

Wheeling Park is a fun little course that takes just over an hour to play. There’s a few amenities associated with the park including an ice skating rink next to the first tee! It’s the type of place that brings varying sports to a central spot. (The tennis dome is on site too). For those interested in Devereux’s architecture philosophy, know that there are three courses within forty five minutes of each other; Wheeling CC, Belmont CC (it went semi private last year), and this little beauty. Definitely worth stopping if you’re pressed for time. I give it a 3 (average)(worth driving 15-30 minutes to play).