Glendoveer Golf Course West

General Course Description

An 18-hole public course in East Portland, this is the shorter, flatter, and a bit more wide-open (especially on the front side) companion course to Glendoveer East. Glendoveer Golf Course West is a solid course on its own, it is fairly priced and well maintained. As on the East side, there are lots of tall Douglas Fir trees. Glendoveer Golf Course West does not have as many sand traps as Glendoveer East, but has many strategically placed depressions. The greens mostly run quickly and back to front. There are some hills, but an easier walk than East. (Much of the information below is repeated in the post for Glendoveer Golf Course East.)

Course History

Built in 1928, by Frank Stenzel as part of a golf course complex (with the success he found in operating the East Course). With the opening of the West Course, the complex became 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 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 golfing complex.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the 3rd hole, a par 4, there are two traps on the right at the end of the driving area you may not be able to see. On the 6th hole, a par 4, there are two depressions on either side of the green just off the fairway that would halt a rolling ball. On Hole 16, a par 4 dog leg right, aim for the tallest tree in front of you on the drive; if you fly it short of the tree, it may roll down the hill (and through the dogleg).

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

Even though it is within the Portland Metro area, it feels more like an out-of-town course with tall trees. And it is a good course at a reasonable price. Although considered the “easier” of the two Glendoveer courses, it is still worth a visit.

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 a little hilly, but a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All and golf boards
  • Open as much as they can be