CHARLESTON, W.Va. (August 15, 2009)—If you’re in the market for a golf course, the birthplace of American golf is up for sale.

The owner of West Virginia's Oakhurst Links says that after 50 years, it's time for someone else to oversee the nine-hole course that hosted its first competition in 1884.

The asking price is $4.5 million.

Lewis Keller bought the White Sulphur Springs property in 1959 from the family of the original owner, Russell Montague.

The course has been closed to public play this year although a national tournament was held this summer.

Instead of using their own equipment, golfers there rely on replicas of hickory-shafted clubs and vintage balls used a century ago.

Keller, 86, says he hopes a new owner can be found to maintain the course in its current playable state.