State of the week: West Virginia

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Where are we? The Mountain State. West Virginia, perhaps best known by John Denver's famous words "West Virginia/mountain mama/take me home/country roads," is a small slice of mountain life in the Appalachian and Allegheny ranges. Popular for cool escapes from the hot sun during the summer and skiing mini breaks in the winter, West Virginia has a lot to offer the traveling golfer.

The Nationwide Tour holds a tournament in West Virginia - the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic at the Pete Dye Golf Course (Martin/WireImage)

STATES OF THE WEEK

Article: Wyoming
Article: Wisconsin

West Virginia history: Trying to stay in line unlike some of its rowdy neighbors, West Virginia earned statehood in 1863 after Virginia, of which it was once a part, seceded from the union. Forty western counties of then Virginia refused secession and successfully petitioned for independence from the rebel state. During the following decade, the Mountain State began to grow tremendously as an industrial region, shaping the history that led to West Virginia's modern-day image as a mining state (miner's lady/stranger to blue water).

West Virginia on the course: With scenery like West Virginia's, it'd be hard not to find a course worth playing. One of the most popular public courses West Virginia has to offer is Sleepy Hollow Golf and Country Club in Charles Town (no, I did not misspell the capital). At Sleepy Hollow, do expect manicured greens with an Appalachian backdrop along 18 pristine holes. (Do not expect to see Johnny Depp ride in on horseback to chase away a savage, razor-toothed Christopher Walken; though the course's first hole does bear the name "Headless Horseman.") Sleepy Hollow's par-72 course also has tennis and a pool for the summer season. All in all, it's almost heaven/West Virginia.

West Virginia off the course: For skiing on the East coast, it's tough to beat the Mountain State. So if you want to plan a golf vacation here, shoot for the colder season. Snowshoe resort, on none other than Snowshoe Mountain, has dozens of trails for the stiff-legged, snow-plough beginner to the fast-swooshing, look-at-me-go, cross-country expert. Out on the mountain, days pass by in what feels like merely hours, and when you see the sun start to set, you step up the pace to squeeze in just a few more slopes before calling it a night and hitting the hot tub with a warm beverage (hot toddies permitted). Even the least-experienced skiers and snowboarders can have fun because falling is about the worst thing that can happen, and with all that padded clothing and soft, fluffy snow, it doesn't even hurt. And let's face it, you know you can't wait to get home, wear your winter coat on a cold day and "accidentally" forget to take the ski-lift-pass tag off the zipper...

West Virginia resort: Besides John Denver and the Appalachian Trail, the Greenbrier Resort is probably the most famous thing about West Virginia. Located in White Sulphur Springs, the Greenbrier puts you up in five-star luxury that would really be 7 or 8 if the scale went that high. Ever popular over Thanksgiving and Christmas, if you want to stay here, you had better book early. Guests at the resort have access to three championship golf courses, tennis courts and a 40,000 square-foot spa. You'll have nothing to do here but relax and be aware that they really know how to pamper you at the Greenbrier -- they've been doing it since 1778.

West Virginia eats: The state's slogan -- wild and wonderful -- applies to more than just the landscape. It covers the food, too. A popular state for fishing, one of West Virginia's traditional dishes is smoked trout, fresh from the river. To sample country cooking at its very best in the Mountain State, make a reservation for dinner at The General Lewis Inn and Restaurant in Lewisburg, W.Va. The mountain trout comes served up with a salad and homemade bread (among other sides), and if you turn your nose up at freshwater fish, then don't worry, you can try some country ham or duck (yes, it's a hunting state) instead.

West Virginia culture: While you're in Lewisburg, you might as well sample a little West Virginia culture. As you read earlier, this state has a storied American history and surely offers plenty of historical sites worth visiting, but sometimes, culture comes from yesterday instead of yesteryear. In 1992, Lewisburg's Lost World Caverns became a tabloid constant that even Paris Hilton would envy. The Weekly World News announced that these caverns were home to "bat boy," a bug-eyed human child with sharp fangs that had been raised in the caves by bats. It put Lost World Caverns on the map. Come on, you know you want to see the source of that "wild and wonderful" rumor.

West Virginia golfer: I tip my hat to you if you know this guy because I'm ashamed to admit that his name was a new one to me. However, after doing some research, I found he's more than worthy of talking about. Born in Ohio in 1904, Herman "Denny" Shute won three majors in the 1930s and was the only golfer to win back-to-back PGA Championships until the one-and-only Tiger Woods supplanted him in '99-'00. What is his connection to West Virginia, you ask? Well, though born in Ohio, Shute learned how to play golf in the Mountain State where his father was a club professional. Before becoming a major winner in 1933 (at the British Open), Shute first began winning tournaments in his father's home state of West Virginia -- the 1923 and 1925 West Virginia Amateurs. He passed away in 1974 after racking up an impressive golf resume and being inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame.

Next week: Head west and get wet in the Evergreen State.