Meadow Lakes Golf Course

General Course Description

Meadow Lakes Golf Course is about 36 miles northeast of Bend, and set in the high desert under rim-rock buttes, Meadow Lakes Golf Course is a scenic and enjoyable, 18-hole public Central Oregon municipal course along the Crooked River. Not many trees, but a lot of sand and lots and lots of water (several ponds and the Crooked River comes into play on many holes). Very well maintained and open where not wet, including many large landing areas. Forward tees provide benefit of shorter distances and better angles. Flat and a nice walk.

Course History

Opened in 1993. Since then it has held several state tournaments, including the 1998 Oregon Mid-Amateur. In 2016, the course superintendent, Steve Reynolds, was named Superintendent of the Year by the OGA.

Why It Is There

In 1988, the Department of Environmental Quality told the City of Prineville that DEQ would start assessing fines against the City unless the City did not stop discharging wastewater into the Crooked River. Initially told to spread the gray water into an alpha field, the City decided to build a golf course and use hazards on the course as settling ponds and the resulting clean water for course irrigation. Construction was financed in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The result was Meadow Lakes.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

There are several short par 4 risk-reward holes, in particular holes 6, 11, and 16. Long accurate hitters will find an advantage, but the rest of us will have to make a decision (and generally shorter is safer).

Did You Know

The course was the first recipient of Golf Digest’s National Environmental Leaders Award.

Good For Them

Lots, including why the course was developed. In addition, the electricity for the cart shed comes from solar panels on top of the shed. The course also does a lot to attract women (inexpensive spring clinics) and juniors (junior clinics with free golf late in the day). The course is also the home to Crook County High School, 2016 4A Boys Champions.

Why Play This Course

An attractive, well-maintained course with a wonderful history that is a great value. Folks playing in Central Oregon should consider diverting here.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)447-7113/www.meadowlakesgc.com
  • Address:  300 SW Meadow Lakes Road, Prineville, Oregon 97754
  • Owner: City of Prineville
  • Designer: Bill Robinson
  • Pros: Zach Lampert (PGA) and Corinne Phinney (PGA Associate)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, practice chipping and sand area, practice green
  • Pro Shop: Good amount of clothing and equipment
  • Food: Full service, pretty darn good, restaurant next to the pro shop is open for breakfast and lunch (the late Prineville icon Les Schwabe always ate lunch there)
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and well-appointed pit toilets on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 poles; 200, 150, and 100 in-ground markers; yardage on sprinkler heads; flags color-coded for position
  • Clothing: T-shirts and non-holed jeans are OK
  • Walkable: Flat, easy walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • All seasons but closed in the snow and ice