Glendoveer Golf Course East

General Course Description

Glendoveer Golf Course East is an 18-hole public course in East Portland that is part of a 36-hole complex. It is an old, tree-lined course that appears narrow because of the height of the old trees (there are over 2,000 Douglas Firs). Glendoveer Golf Course East is the longer (and harder) of the two Glendoveer courses. In addition to the trees, another primary characteristic of the course is that it goes down and up a ridge repeatedly, giving many interesting twists and many a side hill lie. Throw in a few well-placed traps and a couple of water holes and you have the opportunity for a varied round. For the amount of play, the course is in very good condition. Because of the up and down nature of the course, it’s a good workout to walk (so think about taking a cart). (Much of the information below is repeated in the post for Glendoveer Golf Course West.)

Course History

Built in 1923 by Frank Stenzel with the idea of the course being the cornerstone of a real estate development. But the course became so popular that he opened the sister course and just ran the golf courses (and then developed a few courses on the Oregon Coast). From the opening of the West Course, it was the only 36-hole complex in Oregon until Sunriver opened. The Stenzel Family owned the course until 1968 when it was sold to Portland Sanitarium and Hospital, which planned to convert 9 holes into a hospital. The County denied the required permit and the owner filed for permission to build a subdivision. That permit was declined, and the County offered to buy the property. When the parties could not agree to a price, the County brought a condemnation action and the parties then settled, with the County buying the property in 1974. In 1976, Glisan Street Recreation, Inc., leased the property and built the new clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop, range, and tennis courts. In 1993, ownership of the property was transferred to Metro.

Why It Is There

Frank Stenzel built the course as part of a proposed housing development.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Leave the driver in the bag except on the par 5s; with so many trees, placement is better than distance here. In addition, on the par-5 4th hole, there is a severe ridge running up the middle of the green. Find out what side of the ridge the pin is on and go to that side.

Did You Know

It almost became Portland International Airport, but the Marine Drive location won out. The name “Glendoveer” comes from the 1810 poem “The Curse of Kehama” by Robert Southy, referring to a sprite that is the beneficent spirit of the valley.

Good For Them

These folks do a lot of good things! They are host for a number of High Schools, including but not limited to David Douglas, Parkrose, and Central. They are also the host course for Multnomah University. They hold OGA junior tournaments and have junior summer programs and camps. The complex is the home for both the Leisure Hour Junior Golf Program and the Summit Golf Foundation Caddy Program (think about asking for one!). They were awarded the City of Portland Sustainability at Work Gold Membership for their conservation and recycling efforts. They use goats to eradicate blackberries and weeds. They use solar power to help power golf carts (and mitigate 40 to 60 percent of overall electricity use). The complex is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. And they host Red Cross Blood Drives in the parking lot.

Why Play This Course

With a location inside Oregon’s largest metropolitan area, the course that feels more like an out-of-town course with tall trees. And it is a good course (with good practice facilities) at a very reasonable price.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (503) 253-7507/www.playglendoveer.com
  • Address:  14015 NE Gilsan Street, Portland, Oregon 97230
  • Owner: Oregon Metro
  • Designer: John Junor
  • Pros: Hank Childs (PGA), Andrew Hein (PGA Associate)
  • Practice Facilities: Covered driving range on mats with several heaters, practice sand area, three practice greens
  • Pro Shop: Good-sized, with equipment and lots of clothing
  • Food: Von Ebert Brewing Co. is in the former site of the Ringside Restaurant and serves lunch and dinner; there is also a snack bar in the clubhouse
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta potties on course
  • Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100, and in-ground markers and poles on the sides of the fairways; color of flags mark pin position
  • Clothing: Casual
  • Walkable: It’s hilly, suggest taking a cart
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All and golf boards
  • Open year-round