Hood River Golf & Country Club

General Course Description

Hood River Golf & Country Club is a public 18-hole course in, of course, Hood River. The course is a tale of two different courses. The front (original) 9 is open and rolling with some tall trees, some traps, and a bit of water. The back 9 is narrow, tree-lined, long, and hilly (some holes have a severe up or down), with several long carries.  No matter how difficult you find Hood River Golf & Country Club, if the wind from the gorge is up, the course will play a lot harder.  Fairways are a bit shaggy (but, I am told, improving each year), but the greens roll very nicely. The views of Mt. Hood on the front side are stunning. Because of the back 9 (with distance between holes and  elevation gain and loss), a cart would be helpful.

Course History

Front 9 opened in 1923. There is some confusion about the original architect. The website says H. Chandler Egan was the original designer. The Oregonian at the time reported that Mr. Egan was involved in the formation of the country club and was going to design the course. But several websites and publications have the designer as George Junor and/or his nephew Hugh Junor. The back 9 was added (and the front 9 remodeled) in 1995-97 and was designed by the pro at the time, Dave Waller. John E. Robinson bought the course in 1970 and in the 2000s it was purchased by the Brandt family.

Why It Is There

Golfers of Hood River wanted to build a course. In 1922 they came together, had a financing bond issued, and were able to construct a course. The Robinson family added the additional 9, and now do the hard work of running the course for its faithful fans.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Holes 12, 13, and 14 are the “emotional center” of the course — if you can get through these three holes with minimal frustration, you will have a great time. On 13, a long par 5 with a continuous dogleg right, two significant carries, and a blind approach to a narrow green on a ledge, favor the left side on all shots (including short left of the green). On the 14th hole, an uphill par 4, the shortness of the hole is defeated by the uphill slope, so use your longest club on the tee.

Did You Know

The clubhouse is the original barn, and the restaurant the original house.

Good For Them

They do not apply anything to the course that they would not want to get on their skin (what a nice rule). This kindness to the layout results in a lot of animal life: bear, elk, bobcat, deer, and more. Ponds are used as collection areas for irrigation. They only water at night and use 1/2 of their irrigation allotment. The course annually hosts a golf event for Child Beyond International to support a children’s home in Guatemala.

Why Play This Course

A well-priced course with an unusual and challenging layout with amazing views. It is very quiet, and the friendliness of the owning/managing family are pluses.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)386-3009/www.hoodrivergolf.com
  • Address:  1850 Country Club Road, Hood River, Oregon 97031
  • Owner: Orchard Land Corporation (held by Terry R. Brandt)
  • Designer: H. Chandler Egan, front 9 (see notes above); David Waller back 9
  • Pros: None, although Mr. Waller is available for instruction
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, practice green, 100-yard practice hole (available for a small fee)
  • Pro Shop: Some clothes, balls, tees, and gloves
  • Food: Tabby’s Hole In One Clubhouse Bar & Grill, overlooking the 9th and 18th holes, is open for lunch and dinner
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta potties on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 stakes; 200 and 100 in-ground markers; no pin position cues, but the greens are generally small
  • Clothing: Wear clothes
  • Walkable: It’s hilly, suggest taking a cart
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes (there is also an air hose where the carts are maintained)
  • Rentals: All
  • Closed in winter

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