Mountain Opening Day Ritual
Every spring, the Raven marks the kickoff of Snowshoe’s mountain season, with golfers teeing off as the snow melts and wildflowers bloom. It’s a cherished local tradition that signals summer in the highlands.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Established
1993
Architect
Gary Player
Access
Resort
Par
Par 72
Length
4,363 – 7,045 yds
Green Fees
$$
The verdict
West Virginia’s Peak Resort Challenge
Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe is a showstopping, high-elevation Gary Player signature course that embraces its bold Appalachian landscape. Expect a demanding yet postcard-worthy round, blending thrilling elevation changes with jaw-dropping scenery and strategic tests at every turn.
Course DNA
Difficulty
76
Scenery88
Conditioning83
Shot Variety81
Walkability63
Green Complexity77
Wow Factor82
Design Quality79
At a glance
Quick facts
Elevation
Over 4,000 feet above sea level
Original Name
Hawthorne Valley (1993–2001)
Recent Renovation
2025: new bunkers, restored greens, tees
Top State Ranking
Consistently Top 3 Public in WV
Major Elevation Changes
Dramatic uphill and downhill holes
Longest Par 5
611 yards (Hole 5, Black tees)
Resort Integration
Anchors Snowshoe’s summer activities
The design
The architecture
Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe is a Gary Player signature that masterfully carves heroic and picturesque holes through dramatic Appalachian terrain. The routing maximizes mountain elevation changes, with holes sweeping across ridges and plunging into valleys. The recent 2025 renovation restored original green contours, sharpened strategic sightlines, and introduced new bunkering that both challenges and frames the play throughout. Each hole leverages the landscape: from broad, forgiving fairways and risk/reward par 5s, to crafty par 3s wind-exposed on high ridges, the design showcases the best of mountain resort golf while demanding thoughtful navigation from start to finish.
Gary Player brought bold vision and mountain drama together here, and the 2025 renovations sharpened those hallmarks for today’s player.
Defining features
- Dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views
- Freshly renovated bunkering and teeing grounds
- Restored original Gary Player green complexes
- Multi-shot risk-reward par 5s
- Scenic, wind-influenced par 3s
- Strategic use of mountain ridgelines and valleys
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
Summit View Opener
PAR
4
YARDAGE
557
The first hole delivers a big mountain welcome with a dramatic downhill tee shot framed by endless Appalachian views. At 557 yards from the tips, it's a bold par 4 calling for controlled aggression right out of the gate.
Play it smart
Play for position off the tee, shaping your ball with the slopes to set up a long but manageable second shot. Take advantage of the trajectory-friendly elevation.
Where it bites
Miss left and you risk thick native rough and a long scramble; overcook it right and deep bunkers come into play.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching par 5s with elevation drops
Factor downhill carry and mountain wind—don’t underclub on your layup or approach.
Short par 3s buffeted by swirling air
Watch the treetops for wind clues—elevation changes amplify gusts.
Tight, angled par 4 drives
Better to play smart for the fairway center than risk an aggressive line into blind trouble.
Sidehill lies in the rough
Use extra club and adjust stance—mountain sidehill lies play longer and harder.
Reachable par 5 second shots
Only attack if you have a perfect lie; otherwise, lay up for a predictable wedge distance.
Front pins on sloping greens
Stay below the hole or risk lightning-fast, downhill putts—accept longer uphill putts when pinned short.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Firm fairways, pristine greens, and sharp new bunkers; expect recent maintenance and ongoing grooming, especially post-renovation.
Pace
Efficient but relaxed—usually unrushed, with the occasional holiday slow group due to mountain resort flow.
Vibe
Laid-back mountain resort energy—welcoming, scenic, never stuffy.
Dress code
Standard golf attire; collared shirts recommended.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring layers
Mountain weather changes fast; cool mornings and breezy uplands are common even in summer.
02
Book in advance
High-season weekend tee times fill early, especially for groups pairing golf with resort activities.
03
Practice uneven lies
Hill-country lies abound—sharpen sidehill and downhill shotmaking before your round.
04
Charge the phone
You’ll want photos—almost every tee delivers an epic view.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1993
Course opens as Hawthorne Valley, designed by Gary Player.
- 2001
Renamed Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe.
- 2010
Achieves repeated top public course rankings in West Virginia.
- 2024
Praised for improved playability and firm, pristine conditions.
- 2025
Major renovation: new bunkering, tees, and restored original sightlines and greens.
- 2026
Continues as a state-ranked, destination mountain golf draw.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Golf Above the Clouds
With holes routed along mountain ridgelines over 4,000 feet up, players will find themselves literally above the clouds on misty mornings—the rarefied air adds both challenge and awe to every round.
Resort Born from Coal Mining Roots
Legend has it that the original owners, coal miners at heart, had started clearing the land for golf before Gary Player’s design team was called in to sculpt it into a true mountain classic.
The 600-Yard Monster
The par-5 fifth, stretching over 600 yards from the tips, has devoured scorecards and inspired bragging rights for years. Well-placed layups and bold second shots yield birdie chances—but disaster for the reckless.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Elevation above 4,000 feet means thin mountain air can add a club to your distances.
2
The par-5 fifth hole is one of the longest in West Virginia at 611 yards from the tips.
3
Raven debuted as Hawthorne Valley before adopting its famous new name in 2001.
4
The course anchors the spring-to-fall activities at Snowshoe resort as soon as the slopes clear of snow.
5
Early-morning rounds sometimes play literally above the clouds, with dense fog filling the valleys below.
Build the trip
If you're building a mountain golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Cacapon Resort State Park Golf Course
Resort
Classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. layout in a tranquil parkland valley.
The Greenbrier (Old White TPC)
Resort
Famed resort course and recent PGA Tour host.
Elks Country Club
Public
Charming, affordable mountain golf near Elkins.
Pipestem Resort State Park Golf Course
Resort
Wide fairways and big mountain vistas, family-friendly stop.
Snowshoe Mountain village offers the best access to Raven, comfortable lodging, and après-golf scenery.
Course DNA
If You Like Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.4
Wicker Point Golf Club
Alexander City, AlabamaScenery
Why it matches: Wicker Point Golf Club is a natural next stop after Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Strong DNA Match8.3
The Snead Course at Greenbrier Sporting Club
White Sulphur Springs, West VirginiaScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Snead Course at Greenbrier Sporting Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe.
Strong DNA Match8.6
Stone Eagle Golf Club
Palm Desert, CaliforniaScenery
Why it matches: Stone Eagle Golf Club is a natural next stop after Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Community Sentiment
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