Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs, WV

The Cacapon golf course is unique for a public course because it’s designed by Robert Trent Jones, ASGCA. Unfortunately, the course maintenance could be improved. It doesn’t quite meet the standard for a high-end public course.

First, a bit about the location itself. Cacapon golf course sits on a 6,000 square foot state park where you can also fish, ride horses and hike. There is a lodge and cabins on-site for overall accommodation. Since there are so many leisure activities available, this is a good location to spend a few days. It’s set at the base of the mountains and is a very scenic location.

Cacapon is a mountain golf course, although the uphill lies are gradual and very approachable. The biggest drawbacks about this course is that the fairways and greens aren’t in the best condition. The fairways are often too long, and the greens are slow and dry. The bunker condition can be spotty as well. If they could improve on this, I would easily rate this course 5 stars. Staff are hit or miss in terms of friendliness and hospitality.

Here’s a few special features on this course. Holes #4 and #8 have dual greens. Hole #15 in a downhill Par 3 (190 yards, from the blue tee.) There are 3 tee boxes. You’ll find a full range of hazards in the course including steep ridges, water, sand bunkers and notable uphill and downhill lies. Holes #3, #9 and #18 are all over 500 yards, which is a good test of endurance.

This course is a very scenic one - mountain golf at its best. Narrow fairways cut into the landscape offer plenty of variety in play while also blending in with the natural landscape. The design of the course itself (if not the maintenance) is exceptional. Once you’re a few holes into your round, it feels very private.

A simple clubhouse offers sandwiches and drinks. For a course with such a good design, the rate is reasonable ($40.) Pace of play is also good (18 holes in just over 4 hours.) This is a good spot for a group golf round or a small tournament. Don’t expect the staff or fairway conditions to be above average, and you’ll be sure to enjoy the beauty and variety that this course has to offer.

Great layout. Tough course. Greens were not in good shape.

Played Cacapon on a windy Friday in October. Cacapon has a great layout. The holes into the wind were very tough. Scenery is awesome. The greens were hurting though. Very slow and ripped up. Someone must have sprayed a wrong chemical on them because the vast majority of greens were really unputtable. Hopefully they will recover soon because the rest of the course is a treat. Hole number 15 was my favorite - a downhill par 3.

There is a snack bar that serves basic food.

The cost to play on this Friday was only $40. That is a nice deal.

In summary, it is a very nice course but those greens need to get back into decent condition.