The Dalles Golf and Country Club

General Course Description

The Dalles Golf and Country Club hosts a private 9-hole (18 with dual tee boxes) course just to the west of The Dalles that the public can play if there are tee-times available. It is an historic course.  The course is short, but still a test with some very interesting hole designs (and the gorge wind can totally change the nature of the course). Trees often narrow the holes (there are basalt encroachments, a few traps, a bit of water, and elevation changes as well), but there is little undergrowth, so recovery shots are generally available. The trees make the course attractive and the setting at the bottom of basalt cliffs provide an overall beautiful environment. Although I-84 is just over the hill, you don’t really hear it. A little hilly, but a nice walk. Forward tees afford decreased distance and improved angles allowing a wide variety of skill sets to play in the same foursome.

Course History

Opened in 1922, originally with sand greens. When building the course, several Native American artifacts were found including bowls, arrowheads, and phallic images.  To improve cash flow, the course originally planted a grove of cherry trees (none remain). The course also discovered an ore deposit in 1926 when the original irrigation system was being installed. A mine shaft was then installed on land adjacent to the course and silver mining operations continued through the 1930s. The course has held many statewide events including the 1949 Oregon Open and the 1957 Oregon PGA. The Mid-Columbia Golf Tournament has been held there for over 80 years.

Why It Is There

A group of local businessmen (including A.S. Bennett, F.L. Houghton, and E.E. Fitzwater) wanted a social and golf center for The Dalles.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The par-4 6th hole starts from a very elevated tee and you drive through a narrow tree-lined gap that ends in a slight dogleg left. Favor the left on your drive to give you a clearer approach to the elevated green. On the 8th hole, a par 4, also from an elevated tee box (right in front of a basalt up-lift), balls will roll right at and after the 150 post, but a basalt outcropping guards the right side of the green. Favor left on your drive.

Did You Know

The wind is infamous here, with balls often moving on the green without being putted. In the Oregon Open, several players abandoned play on the last day, with the wind howling and the leader in the clubhouse. In The Dalles Invitational, 75 of the state’s best high school players played the par-4 9th hole twice and only 3 pars were recorded the entire day.

Good For Them

For the past 50 years, the club has held junior camps for members and guests. It is the home of The Dalles High School. They have a rain-collection pond that is used to irrigate (and use a hand-watering system that focuses on tees and greens). Club members often appear in parades to hand out free rounds of golf.

Why Play This Course

An historic course in an attractive environment that has some very interesting holes and a very friendly staff. It is a very easy stop off I-84 (but do call ahead to make sure tee times are available).

General

• • Type: 9-hole private course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)296-5252/ thedallescountryclub.net
  • Address:  4550 Highway 30W, The Dalles, Oregon 97058
  • Owner: The Dalles Country Club
  • Designer: Founders
  • Pros: Chase Snodgrass; Travis Kane (PGA is a teaching pro dividing his time with another course)
  • Practice Facilities: Practice net, shag bag chipping area, and practice green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal; some clothing and equipment
  • Food: Snacks and sodas in the pro shop
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course (the latter was under repair in the fall of 2017)
  • Yardage Markers: 150 poles; 200, 150 and 100 in-ground markers; no pin position information
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire preferred
  • Walkable: Hilly, but a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose (the latter in the cart shop)
  • Rentals: Carts and pull carts, no clubs
  • Open all year (but can freeze in winter)