Pete Dye Golf Club, Bridgeport, WV

​Nestled in the West Virginia hills, on a 500-acre site of an abandoned coal mine, is located one of Pete Dye’s least known designs.  It probably doesn’t receive the notoriety of the TPC at Sawgrass, Whistling Straits (Straits Course), Harbour Town or the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.  However, the club, named after the designer himself, is every bit as good.
 
A private club opened in 1996, the Pete Dye Club in Bridgeport, was 16 years in the making from concept to opening.  Mr. Dye himself even made around 150 visits to the site.  After many changes to the routing of the course, Dye came up with a real gem.
 
Simpsons Creek is a major feature in the design of the course, coming into play on several holes.  Starting the front nine, the tee shot at #2 requires an accurate tee shot over the creek.  Like many Dye courses, the fairways are generous, but there is that visual intimidation on this and many holes at the PDC that we have come to expect from the designer.  The greens also have their share of undulation to challenge your short game.
 
The setting around the Par 5 8th green must be one Dye loves.  The green sits just to the left of what must be at least a 50 ft high rock wall.  One thing you notice immediately about this course if that it looks very natural to its setting.  It would almost lead you to believe that they didn’t have to move much dirt/rock to make the layout…although you know a great deal of bulldozing probably had to be done.  Either way, this course like a natural part of the mountains.
 
You cross back over Simpson Creek to begin the back nine.  The 11th, 12th and 13th holes run right along the base of the hillside.  Two holes on the back (15 and 18) have signature Dye features…water guarding one side of each hole down its entirety.  The finishing 18th is a brute.  At 500 yards from the championship tee, the par four requires two exacting shots to avoid Simpson Creek which winds its way all the way down the left side of the hole.

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