Pineway Golf Course

General Course Description

Pineway Golf Course is a 9-hole (18 with dual tees), family-owned-and-operated public course just south of Lebanon (about 20 miles southeast of Albany). Resting in the foothills of the Cascades, Pineway Golf Course has rolling fairways, tall mature trees, and small raised greens. Although some holes are narrow, it is generally open without many hazards. Maintenance is fair (mixed fairway with some bare spots; but not bad given the price), with the greens generally slow. Some steep hills, but not a bad walk.

Course History

Opened in 1958 as Oakway Golf Course on a former cattle ranch. Because there was an Oakway Golf Course in nearby Eugene, the name was changed to Pineway by 1961. The Glasser family has had an interest in the course since 1971. In the mid-1980s it was run by Les Glasser, whose daughter Micky Glasser was an LPGA teaching pro and was married to PGA pro Mark Aebli. Although the course was sold in the 1990s, the buyer could not make the payments and it reverted back to the Glasser family. The Glassers then operated the course with Clarence Clever and his family. Unfortunately, the Glasser patriarch, James Glasser, passed in December 2021. The course will continue with James’s son, Mitchell, working with the Clevers.

Why It Is There

Al and Marie Johnson wanted to build a course. Since then, the Glasser family have kept it going.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

It has a dual tee design that provides enough of a difference that you should give yourself enough time to play 18. Most of the greens are mounded and run back to front so avoid going long of the pin. Also, most danger is left. A little fade is a good thing here.

Did You Know

Noted PGA and Senior PGA pro Ben Crane played the course, shot a 66, and said that he would come back the next day and break the course record. He came back the next day and did not break par.

Good For Them

Home to Sweet Home, Lebanon, and East Linn Catholic High Schools. The course also annually holds charity events for the schools and for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Santiam.

Why Play This Course

With a diversity of holes, the course is challenging but fair. Located in the Cascade foothills, it rests in an attractive setting. The price is fair for the condition. A very nice staff and really good food are pluses.

General

• • Type: 9-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541) 258-8815/www.pinewaygolf.com
  • Address:  30949 Pineway Road, Lebanon, Oregon 97355
  • Owner: Pineway Golf Course LLC
  • Designer: Fred Federspeil
  • Pros: None right now
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on mats, practice green
  • Pro Shop: Is run out of the bar that is part of the restaurant; very minimal, balls and tees
  • Food: A comfortable, full-service restaurant, open 11 to 9, overlooks the course
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 poles; 250, 200, 150 and 100 in-ground markers; no pin information (but the greens
    are generally small)
  • Clothing: Tank tops and jeans with holes are OK
  • Walkable: A little hilly, but a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • All seasons