Portland Golf Club

General Course Description

Portland Golf Club has an 18-hole private course in Portland, which is one of the most historically significant courses in the state. Lined with mature beautiful trees, the course is filled with many generally narrow holes with well-placed sand and water hazards. The course is extremely well maintained with very fast but true greens. The clubhouse at Portland Golf Club is very attractive and contains some historic memorabilia. Although hilly in spots, the course is very walkable.

Course History

The first 9 was opened in 1914 and the second 9 was opened in 1918. The original 9 was designed by “the founders,” who built the course by themselves. The course has been modified many times since becoming an 18-hole course (using some of the best golf course architects of the time), although the original routing has not changed. In 2022 – 23, the course had a significant remodel designed by Dan Hixon. The course has hosted many significant tournaments including but not limited to 1931 and 1955 Western Opens, multiple Portland Opens, multiple Oregon Opens (going back to 1926), multiple Northwest Opens (going back to 1928), 1946 Ryder Cup, 1946 PGA Championship, multiple LPGA Portland Classics, 1982 U.S. Senior Open, 1999 U.S. Senior Amateur, multiple Oregon Amateurs (going back to 1921 and as recent as 2019), 1986 to 1991 Fred Meyer Challenges, and 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The course is one of the few courses in the country to be in the National Register of Historic Places.

Why It Is There

Nine businessmen wanted to build a golf club near the SP&S Interurban passenger rail line (as it was easier to take the train then drive back then). It is now one of THE private golf clubs in Portland.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Hidden in the beauty, there are visual deceptions throughout the course: the 4th hole funnels to the right more than you think, the 12th hole does not play downhill as much as you think, the fairways on 13 and 14 have more room than you think, and the greens need several looks before you can get a correct read.

Did You Know

Because of its history there are many stories about the course. I’ll note three: Ben Hogan won his first major here (the 1946 PGA; he had won the 1945 Portland Open here); the first post- World War II Ryder Cup was held here (mostly due to the tenacity of PGC President Robert Hudson); and the richest golf tournament at the time, the ALCAN Open, was held here in 1969 (where Lee Trevino took a triple-bogey on 17 to lose to Billy Casper).

Good For Them

The course uses recycled water to clean equipment; the course is monitoring and trying to improve the water condition in the neighboring creek.  The course is an Evans Scholarship participant course.

Why Play This Course

History, beauty, design, and maintenance are all superior. If invited by a member to play, say “Yes,” and cancel all other plans.

General

• Type: 18-hole private course
• Price: Private
• Phone/webpage: (503) 292-2778/www.portlandgolfclub.com
• Address:  5900 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Portland, Oregon 97225
• Owner: Portland Golf Club
• Designer: Founders (original 9 holes); George Turnbull (second 9);  John Junor (remodel); partial remodels by William Dickson, J. Martin Watson, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Robert Muir Graves, John Steidel, and Dan Hixon
• Pros: Tim Hval (PGA),  David Lebeck (PGA), Katie Bogert, Spencer Barnes, Tony Fazzolari
• Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass (mats available), pitching area, sand practice area, and practice green
• Pro Shop: Good-sized, with clothing and equipment
• Food: Two restaurants in clubhouse (with men’s bar), café with sandwiches and drinks, and patio overlooking 9th green
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
• Yardage Markers: Periodic in ground; take a pin sheet
• Clothing: Collared shirts
• Walkable: Hilly, but walkable
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
• Rentals: Clubs, carts, pull carts, and clubs
• Open in winter and drains well