GOLF: Area courses are challenging, affordable

The Tri-State is a great place for golf. In fact, the Huntington-Ashland metro area recently ranked 15th among more 300 metro areas for great places for affordable golf, according to Golf Digest Magazine. Here are some of the area courses.

WEST VIRGINIA

Sugarwood G.C.

W.Va. 152, Lavalette. 304-523-6500.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 69.

Yardage: Blue 5,846; White 5,565; Women 5,257.

Description: A fairly flat course. Variety of hazards including creeks, ponds and sand bunkers.

Riviera C.C.

W.Va. 2, Cox Landing. 304-736-7778.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 70.

Yardage: Blue 5,766; White 5,397; Red 4,741

Description: Flat with wide fairways. A good walking course. Back nine borders the Ohio River.

Little Creek C.C.

99 Fairway Drive, South Charleston. Office phone: 304-744-9646 Golf shop: 304-746-GOLF.

Holes: 18, public

Description: The Challenging 6,096 yard layout winds over and around West Virginia's beautiful mountains, demanding a variety of shots and placing a premium on accuracy. The bent grass greens and bermuda fairways are nourished by a watering system on all 18 holes.

Lavalette G.C.

W.Va. 152, Lavalette

Phone: 304-525-7405.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 71.

Yardage: Blue 6,262; White 5,922; Red 4,555.

Description: A hilly course with water hazards on several holes, trees and sand bunkers.

Guyan Golf and C.C.

U.S. 60 East, Huntington

Phone: 304-736-1141.

Holes: 18, private. Par: 71.

Yardage: Blue 6,446; White 6,062; Gold 5,458; Red 5,347.

Description: Plenty of trees and slick greens. Home of the MU golf program.

Esquire G.C.

1 Esquire Dr., Barboursville

Phone: 304-736-1476.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 72.

Yardage: Blue 6,905; White 6,408; Gold 5,862; Red 5,245.

Description: Relatively flat, but requires the use of all clubs in your bag. Wide fairways and large greens.

Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club

Allen Ave., Barboursville

Phone: 304-736-8225.

Holes: 9, public. Par: 69.

Yardage: White 6,269; Red 5,480.

Description: Outstanding conditions. Tree-lined fairways.

Meadowland G.C.

W.Va. 35, Winfield, W.Va.

Phone: 304-937-3065.

Holes: 9, public. Par: 36.

Yardage: Back 3,266; Middle 3,090; Forward 2,537.

Description: Formerly Deer Run G.C.

Scarlet Oaks C.C.

Poca, W.Va.

Phone: 304-755-8079.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 72.

Yardage: Pro 6,575; Men 6,021; Women 5,033.

Description: Tight fairways with varying terrain. Several dogleg fairways. Some shots over water.

Sleepy Hollow G.C.

Sleepy Hollow Dr., Hurricane, W.Va.

Phone: 304-757-6581.

Holes: 18, private. Par: 72.

Yardage: Back 6,734; Middle 6,379; Forward 5,149.

Description: Gently rolling terrain. Large greens.

OHIO

Cliffside G.C.

Cliffside Dr., Gallipolis, Ohio

Phone: 740-446-4653.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 72.

Yardage: Gold 6,598; Blue 6,230; White 5,975; Red 5,271.

Description: Very scenic. Somewhat open front nine. Back nine plays up the side of a cliff.

Ironton C.C.

County Road 43, Ironton

Phone: 740-532-2511.

Holes: 9, private. Par: 70.

Yardage: Men 5,970; Women 5,445.

Description: Fairways lined by pine trees. Well-bunkered, sloped greens.

Elks C.C.

McDermott, Ohio

Phone: 740-259-6241.

Holes: 18, semi-private. Par: 72.

Yardage: Blue 6,677; White 6,377; Red 5,600.

Description: Semi-rolling. terrain. Greens protected by grass bunkers.

Shawnee State Park Resort

Friendship, Ohio

Phone: 740-858-6681.

Holes: 18, resort. Par: 72.

Yardage: Blue 6,837; White 6,407; Red 5,748.

Description: Relatively flat golf course, plays alongside the Ohio River.

Big Beaver Creek G.C.

Zahns Corner, Piketon, Ohio

Phone: 740-289-3643.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 72.

Yardage: Gold 7,073; Blue 6,755; White 6,347.

Description: A country golf course with narrow tree-lined fairways. Ponds in play on several holes.

KENTUCKY

Diamond Links G.C.

Fairway Dr., Cannonsburg, Ky.

Phone: 606-928-5335

Holes: 18, public. Par: 71.

Yardage: Blue 6,014; White 5,602; Red 4,913.

Description: Lined with many tall trees. Back nine considered harder than the front. Water hazards on nine holes.

Old Silo G.C.

Mt. Sterling, Ky.

Phone: 859-498-4697.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 72.

Yardage: Black 6,977; Blue 6,485; White 6,077; Red 5,509.

Description: Kentucky's No. 1-rated public golf course. Rolling bluegrass terrain. Somerset Creek meanders through the golf course.

River Bend G.C.

Ky. 1, Argillite, Ky.

Phone: 606-473-6773.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 70.

Yardage: Championship 5,893; Middle 5,111; Forward 4,144.

Description: Narrow bermuda fairways. Numerous water hazards.

The Lakes G.C.

Ky. 2, Maloneton, Ky.

Phone: 606-932-4266.

Holes: 9, public. Par: 34-35.

Yardage: Middle 2,970; Forward 2,134.

Description: Pine trees line fairways. Lakes in play on four holes.

Sandy Creek G.C.

Meade Springer Road, Ashland

Phone: 606-928-6321.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 70.

Yardage: Blue 5,755; White 5,160; Red 4,671.

Description: Short. Some hills on the front nine. Back nine is flat.

Bellefonte C.C.

Country Club Dr., Ashland

Phone: 606-329-1966.

Holes: 18, private. Par: 70.

Yardage: Back 6,080; Middle 5,902; Forward 5,049.

Description: Short with narrow, tree-lined fairways and sloped greens.

Sundowner G.C.

Ky. 5, Ashland

Phone: 606-329-9093.

Holes: 9, public. Par: 33-34.

Yardage: Back 2,009; Forward 1,503.

Description: Short and hilly with some elevated greens. Some steep climbs.

The Oaks G.C.

Oaks Dr., Flatwoods, Ky.

Phone: 606-833-5565.

Holes: 18, semi-private. Par: 72.

Yardage: Black 6,917; Scarlet 6,250; White 5,603; Red 4,881. Description: A challenging golf course. Water hazards in play on two holes.

Eagle Ridge G.C.

Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa, Ky.

Phone: 606-673-4300.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 71.

Yardage: 4,655 to 6,630 from different tees.

Description: Mountainous terrain with dramatic views of Yatesville Lake. Some holes have 100-200 foot elevation changes.

Hidden Cove G.C.

Grayson Lake State Resort Park, Grayson, Ky.

Phone: 606-474-2553 or toll-free 866-905-7888.

Holes: 18, public. Par: 72.

Yardage: Back tees 7,123.

Description: The course winds around Grayson Lake on hilly terrain.

Carter Caves G.C.

Olive Hill, Ky.

Phone: 606-286-8881.

Holes: 9, public. Par: 35.

Yardage: 2,849.

Description: Semi-hilly, tree-lined and very tight.

Jeremy McKnight/For The Herald-Dispatch Lavalette's Sugarwood Golf Course.