The Old White TPC at The Greenbrier

     300 West Main St., White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986

     Par/Yardages: 70; 5,019 to 7,287

     Stay-and-play: Packages start at $240 per player, per night (weekdays) and rise to $290 (weekends).

     Website: www.greenbrier.com

     Phone: (800) 453-4858; golf packages, (877) 398-2871

     Frequent traveling companion and Hall of Fame golf writer George Sweda had given me a tantalizing preview of The Greenbrier, both as a resort and as a golf venue.

     The place lived up to George's advance billing and then some.

     With its rich history dating to the mid-19th century, the resort is a throwback in the best sense of the term. It's an ornate place that wears its luxury on its sleeve.

     Forewarned is forearmed about the price niche of The Greenbrier. It's a five-star resort that prices itself accordingly.

     "Affordabili-TEES'' will make an allowance for the Greenbrier as a "splurge'' destination. While always keeping an eye on the bottom line, it doesn't hurt to treat yourself to a taste of the good life every now and then.

     In the resort and on its two championship courses, you will get your money's worth.

      Our group of golf-travel writers played the Old White TPC, home of the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic. The white tees came in at just under 6,000 yards, so we moved to the blue tees at 6,443 yards and had a satisfying experience.

      Old White is named after the resort's original hotel and opened in 1914. The architect was Charles Blair Macdonald, an esteemed designer who used some British holes he admied as inspiration for at least three holes on Old White.

              You climb stairs near the clubhouse to the elevated tee for the par-4, 437-yard first hole. It's a neat setting and a preview of what's to come as the course unfolds.
      Old White is demanding, fair, and oh so easy on the eyes. I'd love to get back to this resort soon, re-visit Old White TPC and play its sister course, the Greenbrier.