Sam Snead's Place

Golf came to The Greenbrier - the mountain playground of the rich and famous - in 1910 when the resort's first nine-hole course opened. But golf didn't really come of age until 1936 when the hotel hired a 23-year-old local golf pro named Sam Snead. In those days golf pros were known only by a select few golf enthusiasts, though Snead, who lived just across the state line in nearby Hot Springs, Virginia, had established himself in the area as a big hitter eager to take on vacationing wannabes and visiting hustlers for a few dollars.

By 1936, The Greenbrier had two fine eighteen-hole golf courses (and has since built a third), but it was Sam Snead who singlehandedly transformed golf from a secondary pastime at the resort to the big money attraction there that it is today.

He started by inviting big name pros to what he called his Spring Festival. In 1938, Snead collected the $700 in first prize money (professional golf purses were nothing like the megabuck prizes offered today) for winning that PGA event at his own course.

During World War II, when the resort was turned into a military hospital, Snead brought in such big name golfers as Jimmy Demaret, Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen to entertain the recovering soldiers.

In the 1950's, Snead would truncate his PGA play to return home for a round or two with President Eisenhower. Arnie Palmer collected his first professional check there. Everybody who was anybody wanted to play golf at The Greenbrier with Slammin' Sammy - the Duke of Windsor, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope. On May 16, 1959, Snead shot a 59 on the Greenbrier Course - the best round of his career and a PGA record that stood until it was tied in a Nike Tour event in the summer of 1998.

In 1996, The Greenbrier began a facelift at the Golf Club and what has emerged, with the oversight of Snead's son, is nothing less than a shrine to Sam Snead. Slammin' Sammy's is the new clubhouse bar that doubles as a lively nightclub, but it's also a museum of golf. On display are some of the clubs Snead used in his '84 PGA wins, some of the trademark hats he wore, and a veritable gallery of great golf photos including some pics of his three PGA crowns, three Masters green jackets and his British Open victory in 1946. The photo gallery continues downstairs, through the pro shop and locker rooms.

Sam Snead's at the Golf Club may be the best golf club restaurant in the world, a beautiful room overlooking the eighteenth green of the Old White Course with an exposed kitchen that produces such memorable dishes as Roast Duck Toastados and Bourbon Marinated Pork T-bone with Onion Marmalade. It's certainly one of the only clubhouse restaurants in this country that's worth a detour even if you don't play golf.

Little wonder that when you drive up to the clubhouse, there's a sign out in front on the best parking space: "Reserved for Sam Snead." It should be. It's his place.

Reservations and information for the Greenbrier resort, Sm Snead's at the Golf Club or tee times at any of the three eighteen hole golf courses can be made by phone: 1-800-852-5440 or 1-304-536-1110.

By Rob Armstrong
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