Bayou Golf Course

Bayou golfGeneral Course Description

Bayou Golf Course is a 9-hole public course to the west of McMinnville, just off of Highway 99W. Bayou Golf Course is a rural course, surrounded by farmland. The wide variety of mature trees make it an attractive course.  Fairways are mixed (with a good amount of clover), but mowed.  Greens are very spotty and have been shrinking over the years. Most of the holes are creative with trees, water, or contours that can get you into trouble (traps that did exist have now been converted to grass depressions). Only real hill is getting back to the clubhouse after the 9th hole. Otherwise, it is a pleasant walk. The adjacent 3-par course is separately described.

Course History

Opened in 1964 and then quickly hosted a number of pro-am tournaments. Hosted the NW NCAA Small College Tournament in the 1960s.  Originally built by the White family, it was intended to be 18 holes. The course has been for sale for many years. In the fall of 2021, the course (and attached manor) was purchased by Headquarters Concepts LLC, based in Portland, whose website states its purpose as “a first-of-its kind omni-channel food enterprise focused on reimagining food away from home in the post pandemic world.” Improvements to the course are promised, including it serving as the future home of a 75-room boutique hotel and conference and events center.

Why It Is There

Originally built by the White family as part of White Manor Retirement complex. Local fans kept it going, and the new owner promises substantial changes and improvements.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I PlayedBayou golf

There are several holes that have little “tricks” to them. Hole 2, a par 4, has an Oak tree on the right, but trees on the left guard the green. Playing to the 150 pole or just to its right will provide the best chance of hitting the green in two. The 4th hole is a tree-lined par 4.  On the drive, the fairway opens up on the left after the power pole. Playing up the left will keep the plum trees on the right out of play.

Did You Know

The pine tree in front of the clubhouse is over 100 years old.

Good For Them

They water by hand. In drought times, they only water tees and greens. Home course for Amity High School. The course annually hosts the Backwards Open (e.g., tee off behind the 9th green and play to the 8th green) for the benefit of the Yamhill County Special Olympics.

Why Play This CourseBayou golf

A laid-back, family-friendly course with some interesting holes and nice trees.

General

  • Type: 9-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (503)472-4651/www.bayougolfcourse.com
  • Address:  9301 SW Bayou Drive, McMinnville, Oregon 97128
  • Owner: Headwaters Concepts LLC
  • Designer: William Sander
  • Pros: None
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range with 4 mats (a bit short and beat up) and putting green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal clothing and equipment
  • Food: Snacks, soda, and beer; there is a large event space next door
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta potty on the course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 poles; 200, 150, 100 markers in-ground on fairway; pin placement marked by color on the 150 pole (on the 3-pars the color is on the yardage sign)
  • Clothing: Be dressed (including a shirt)
  • Walkable: Very, except the hill to the clubhouse
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • Seasonality: Open year-round
YardsParRatingSlope
Blue32213635.1119
White31033634.6/37.6118/134
Red26103634.8116
print
Submit your review
1
2
3
4
5
Submit
     
Cancel

Create your own review

Bayou Golf Course
Average rating:  
 1 reviews
 by David

It's a very pretty course (and the folks are nice), but it has fallen in the past few years. Traps are gone and the greens are awful (looks like they have not been punched in a while). I think it is for sale and the owners are just letting it go for now.