New Resort Coming to West Virginia

Now under construction in Bridgeport, W.V., is a new high-end resort with an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. Charles Pointe Golf Club is part of a larger, like-named resort that will eventually contain a conference center, retail, various recreational facilities, an amphitheater and up to three hotels. Also planned are 200 single-family homes. The project’s site is off Interstate 79 near Bridgeport, a town of 7,300 in Harrison County.

Charles Pointe is being developed by Genesis Partners, a group founded by Jennifer and James Corton. Robert Stuart is the firm’s representative on the $750-million project. Also involved is the town of Bridgeport and the state of West Virginia, which is hoping the resort will attract corporate outings and enhance the tax rolls of Harrison County. The state is spending $2.7 million on new roads, sewers and water service into the property.

The 2,000 acres were owned for generations by the family of coal operator, Charles E. “Jim” Compton, who started Grafton Coal in 1942. Today, the hills are dotted by round hay bales left over from a herd of 200 buffalo that recently roamed the property. Cattle are now grazing the parcel set aside for the golf course. Compton’s daughter is Jennifer Corton, who with her husband James has helped put Grafton Coal employees to work preparing the site for the resort.

The first phase of the development includes the conference center and a 124-room hotel. Once those are complete, work will begin on the other elements and the golf course. Within six years, Charles Pointe should be a thriving destination resort for both business types and touring golfers.