Last week, the PGA Tour came to Southern West Virginia for the 2015 Greenbrier Classic. This marked the first time I was able to watch compete on the top professional golf circuit, with 13 major championship winners in the field.

As a fan, I’ve been avidly following the sport since 2003, with memories of Jim Furyk winning the U.S. Open at Olympia Fields. Despite growing up in Central Ohio, I have yet to attend the Memorial Tournament, but the first professional event I went to was the Nationwide Tour’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational in 2007. Over the years, I went to subsequent events at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course, seeing players like Jason Day, Chris Kirk, Jonas Blixt, and others who played the event before earning their Tour card.

Overall, the week was a success for the resort and for golf fans who came to this area of the country. From Shaquille O’Neal’s appearance at the Pro-Am, to George McNeill & Justin Thomas both acing the Par-3 18th hole on Thursday, it was always going to be a memorable time at the Greenbrier. The highlights for me were covering the actual rounds, and the notable golfers in attendance: Bubba Watson, Davis Love III, Keegan Bradley, Angel Cabrera, and Tiger Woods were just a few I saw in person.

Every professional I spoke with has been very complimentary toward the Greenbrier Resort. With the Classic only starting in 2010, it has quickly developed into one of the more popular events on the PGA Tour, with CBS sportscasters Jim Nantz and Sir Nick Faldo reportedly gushing over returning to West Virginia during the Tour’s stop the previous week in Connecticut.

This tournament has proved to be one of, if not the crown jewel in Jim Justice’s restoration of the historic venue. In addition to the five courses owned by the resort, there is also a world-class tennis stadium on the facility, recently christened by Pete Sampras & Andre Agassi; Sampras, the Greenbrier’s Tennis Pro Emeritus, will return in September for an exhibition also featuring John McEnroe, James Blake, & Jim Courier. But golf seems to be the main sports draw for the resort, and in 2015 it passed its test with flying colors. The care gone into the course was excellent, and it’s very easy to see Justice’s goal – of the Greenbrier hosting a U.S. Open – being fulfilled in the near future.

What’s your favorite course on the PGA Tour? Leave a comment below!