FRANKLIN, W.Va. (WCHS) — Designing and building an 18-hole golf course is challenging. To do it in the rugged mountains of Pendleton County, West Virginia is a completely different animal.

To Mountain State golfers' delight, that's exactly what was completed in 2006 with the Fisher Mountain Golf Club.

The beautiful layout has somewhat of an identity problem being located just outside the small town of Franklin, but determined folks who make the drive through the mountains are rewarded with one of the best golf experiences West Virginia has to offer.

"It's 7,100 yards long, par 71," course superintendent Johnny Thompson said. "We have four par fives and five par threes."

The scenic beauty of the course disguises a very basic fact – it's a tough course.

"You need to play it a couple times to figure out where you need to hit the ball," Thompson said. "We only have one level green and that's down where the water is right in the middle of the lake."

Situated at 2,700 feet above sea level, Fisher Mountain can be a windy track which only adds to the challenge.

Course maintenance is a priority at Fisher Mountain.

"It's well taken care of," Thompson said. "I mow the fairways myself and another guy mows the greens. I have six people working the grounds and each one does a great job. They know exactly what they're doing."

There are also a couple of homes built on the course and several properties available to potential buyers.

The term "hidden gem" definitely applies at Fisher Mountain.

"A lot of people drive by and see our sign and say, 'A golf course on top of a mountain? Are you kidding me?' Thompson said. "Then they come in and say, 'What a great place!'"

Thompson and company have established this beautiful golf course, but mother nature plays a role as well. The fall colors are at their peak right now.

"I say come here; you've got the pretty leaves for another week or two, come try us out. You come one time you'll be hooked."

You can check out Fisher Mountain Golf Course online or follow along on Facebook.