Pitching Deals While Pitching Wedges: A Chat with Stonewall’s Director of Golf
Meet Mike Rogers, director of golf at the Palmer Course at Stonewall Resort.
With a title like that, you’d think he is someone who lives and breathes golf—and you’d be right.
But Mike’s not just about birdies and bogeys. He’s also the mastermind behind transforming this Arnold Palmer signature course into a corporate power move. “As the name says, it's an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course… one of the top golf courses in the state of West Virginia.”
At Stonewall, the fairways aren’t just for foursomes—they’re for forging deals, fostering collaboration, and fixing that one team dynamic that never quite clicks in a breakout room.
Mike’s seen it firsthand: the course doesn’t just drive balls—it drives results.
Let’s see how Stonewall’s Palmer Course is changing the corporate playbook.
Corporate Team Building at the Palmer Course: Here’s Why It Works
Your Team Deserves Better Than a Beige Conference Room
Let’s be honest: most corporate meetings are as exciting as watching paint dry. Stale coffee. Fluorescent lighting. Small talk about spreadsheets. It doesn’t exactly scream team bonding.
That’s where a tee time becomes a turning point.
Mike makes the case that the Palmer Course is more than just a scenic place to swing a 9-iron. It’s a team-building playground hiding in plain sight.
He says, “Right after lunch, come out and do a team-building exercise...whether it be competition or just fun… it's going to be fun and interesting for everybody.”
The course is designed for all skill levels, from shotgun start tournaments to relaxed, friendly rounds. The Palmer Tees challenge your company’s ringers. The forward tees keep things casual for the newbies. And if your group prefers a breezier option, there’s even a par-3 King’s Course.
And no one’s losing half their workday. Mike explains that many corporate planners are already integrating golf right into their schedules:
“Morning meetings,” he says, “and right after lunch, they can get a box lunch on the golf course.”
It’s like taking your meeting for a walk, except the walk includes views, camaraderie, and the occasional eagle.
RELATED: Planning Your Next Team Adventure? 5 Key Q&As on Team Building at Stonewall Resort
Swing Smart, Plan Smart
What actually makes this place stand out from other golf courses peddling the same team-building pitch?
First and foremost, the Arnold Palmer touch sets us apart. Each hole presents a strategic choice, a test of your decision-making skills. Do you play it safe or channel your inner Arnie and go for the bold shot? It's a unique challenge that you won't find at just any golf course.
“Every hole has got a wide area that you can hit to that Mr. Palmer wants you to hit it to,” Mike adds. “If you try to push it past that, then you start bringing some danger into the equation.”
Second: Location. Right off Interstate 79, it’s basically hiding in plain sight. No helicopters needed. This convenient location makes it easy for your team to get to and from the course, minimizing travel time and maximizing the time spent on team-building activities.
Third: The staff.
Mike says, “I can get 'em to come back because my staff will take care of them that well.”
Great golf? Yes.
Great people? Even better.
The course might bring people in, but it’s the Stonewall hospitality that keeps them returning.
Ditch the Lanyards, Bring the Clubs
Forget another hotel ballroom with a buffet.
The Palmer Course at Stonewall Resort gives companies a better way to connect. You still get the breakout sessions and team metrics. But you also get laughter on the green, strategy on the fairway, and maybe a little friendly trash talk on the 18th hole.
Because at the end of the day, golf isn’t just a game. It’s business development, leadership training, and morale building—all rolled into 18 holes and a cart.
Mike put it best: “It's gonna be fun and interesting for everybody concerned.”
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