Bud Billiard is a newer course set in the very nice Brooke Hills Park filled with a ton of things to do. When talking about a good place to bring the whole family, this is one of the best parks I've seen with paddleboats, putt-putt golf, a nearby ball golf course, swimming pool, camping, and many other things to do. I say this not only because it's a great incentive to bring others here, but also because the park workers seemed excited to have the course be one more addition to the park - always a great thing.

Designed by the great Johnny Sias, this course makes great use of the property and sprawls out in many different sections of the park. There is a mix of open and wooded holes - to both extremes - and the courses takes you through sections with vastly different feels. Elevation is used nicely throughout with the region's trademark rolling hills and there are a few really fun downhill and uphill holes. I particularly enjoyed 6, which is a downhill shot from the open into the woods.

I actually liked the water hole (7), though it has a dangerous green near nasty water. If I'm being transparent, I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much if I wasn't lucky enough to land on the green. But on a course that isn't super punishing, I felt like this hole was very appropriately placed. And c'mon, Johnny Sias has designed a par 6 hole in the past, do you think he can really help himself?

The tees are nice and long, although might be too thin for some throwers' tastes. The two tee positions offer a varied challenge for each hole. The tee signs and baskets are great. The fairways are in pristine shape. They definitely keep this park maintained.

There are a few too many wide open holes that keep it from being rated a notch higher. The rolling hills make them at least somewhat interesting, but about 1/3 of the holes don't have any trees in the fairway. On the other hand, a couple of wooded holes on the back 9 could use less trees in order to have clearer fairways.

Still pretty rough around the edges off the fairway but this will only improve over time.

This general area is lacking in courses, so Bud Billiard is a great addition and I think the best course behind the Black Course in the WV panhandle region. I really enjoyed its varied nature and like some of the best WV courses, it has a great mix of rugged and park style holes. The little store outside of the pool has scorecards, course maps, and discs for sale.