Lake Oswego Public Golf Course

General Course Description

NOTE: Lake Oswego Public Golf Course is scheduled to close for remodeling in November 2021 (the driving range is scheduled to close in December 2021) and will re-open as a 9-hole executive course in the fall of 2024. (Accordingly, much of the below is dated.)

This is a public 18-hole par 3 facility south of Lake Oswego (and south of Portland). Small tilted greens (most elevated) and narrow tree-lined holes make Lake Oswego Public Golf Course one of the more challenging par 3 courses in Oregon. Distances range from 159 to 67 yards. Terrain is rolling, some holes have slight doglegs, and (although it is well maintained) there are few short-cut fairways. Although there are plenty of trees, there is little undergrowth and the course has a parklike feel. Lake Oswego Public Golf Course has a nice clubhouse and good practice facilities. A nice place to learn or to work on your game. Short easy walk.

Course History

Opened in 1967 with the help of the then owners of the Portland Buckaroos hockey team Cliff and Arnie Schmautz. The purchase of the course by the City of Lake Oswego was funded by a levy to develop and maintain recreational opportunities for children.  In March of 2020 the City approved the construction of a  rec/aquatic center on a portion of the course that would reconfigure the course to a 9-hole executive course designed by Dan Hixon, with a planned re-opening in the fall of 2024.

Why It Is There

The City of Lake Oswego wanted a public golf course. Although actively supported, it started losing money. It is hoped that the use of the clubhouse as an aquatics center and re-configuring the course as a 9-hole executive course will return the complex to financial sustainability.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Because all the greens are raised and the tee boxes are generous the yardage on the scorecard (and the tee signs) may not be accurate. If you want to score well, measure off the distance. In addition, the 12th hole looks like a slight dogleg right (going around a large fir tree), but the green reaches left behind a mound. On the 14th hole, there is not a lot of room over the tree guarding the left of the green; better to play right and let the hill bring the ball back left.

Did You Know

An employee was playing before his shift and caught up to a threesome on 15. The group had already hit and invited the employee to tee it up. The employee promptly aced the hole. A woman in the threesome was flabbergasted and could not stop talking about how great a player the employee was (he almost aced 16 as well). On the 17th hole, the woman hit a low screamer, which flew up the front right of the green steering left and then into the hole. The whole group was shocked and ecstatic at the events of 3 holes. (No report on who bought who drinks.)

Good For Them

There is a good community feeling here, driven by the men’s and women’s clubs and the wide variety of camps and clinics. The junior camps have been referred to as the best junior programs in the state, and are for every skill level. They include four 3-day youth clinics (two co-ed) to teach the basics. They are a participant in the PGA Junior League and OGA Youth on Course. And they have junior night golf (at reduced rates). They also have extensive women’s clinics including “Mom’s Club,” a two-hour 8- to 10-week teaching program. They recruit through, among other methods, Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation. The course hosts many charity events, including The Oliphant that benefits many local organizations and is named for Douglas Oliphant, a tireless volunteer for the course and many organizations in Lake Oswego (and who started the hanging flower pots in town).

Why Play This Course

Attractive, laid back, family friendly, and fun. It has amenities of a private club (including a small practice bucket included in the greens fee) at a par 3 price. It is one of the few 18-hole par 3 courses in the state. With the practice facilities, it is a good place for all skill levels.

General

• • Type: 18-hole 3 par public course
  • Price: $ (includes small bucket of practice balls)
  • Phone/webpage: (503) 636-8228/www.lakeoswegogolf.org
  • Address:  17525 Stafford Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034
  • Owner: City of Lake Oswego
  • Designer: Shirley Stone (Dan Hixon doing the remodel)
  • Pros: Looking
  • Practice Facilities: Covered (some stalls heated) driving range off mats; pitching and sand practice area; putting green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal clothing and equipment
  • Food: During high season there is a full-service cafe open 11 to close (with a nice outside patio);
    otherwise some snacks and sodas
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and improved porta pottie on course
  • Yardage Markers: None (except on the tee)
  • Clothing: T-shirts and denim are OK
  • Walkable: Short, easy walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • Closed last few weeks of December