Pumpkin Ridge Witch Hollow

General Course Description

Pumpkin Ridge Witch Hollow is a private 18-hole course and one of the two championship courses west of Portland that form one of the destination golf complexes in the greater Portland area. Pumpkin Ridge Witch Hollow is a very-well-maintained and attractive course, but narrower and longer than its counterpart. Traps, tall old trees, some water, and a few bends make the course beautiful, but difficult. Being surrounded by farmland gives it a relaxed feel.  Forward tees provide shorter distances and better angles. A little hilly, but a very nice walk.

Course History

Opened in 1992 (after the public side, Ghost Creek). Since then, it has hosted several state and national tournaments including the 1993, 2005, and 2023 Oregon Amateurs, 1996 US Amateur (the great duel between Tiger Woods and Steve Scott), 1997 and 2003 US Women’s Opens, 2000 US Junior Amateur and US Girl’s Junior Amateur, 2006 US Women’s Amateur, and the LPGA Safeway Classic. From 2014 to 2019, the course hosted the WinCo Foods Portland Open, a Korn Ferry Tour event.  In July 2022, it was the first US course to host an event on the LIV Golf tour. When it opened Golf Digest, named it the #2 Best New Private Course in the United States. In 2019, Golf Digest ranked the course as one of the top 10 courses in Oregon. In 2021, the Oregon Golf Superintendents Association of America named Pumpkin’s Director of Agronomy, Eric Feldhusen, as its Superintendent of the Year.

Why It Is There

Started by Marvin French, Gaylord Davis, and Barney Hyde, with an assist from Shigeru Ito and Kumiko Rodewald, as a public and private golf destination with a look to national golf championships. Ownership changed in 2015.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the 6th hole, a 4 par dogleg left, it is further to the turn than you think, but beware of the creek that starts about 20 yards to the left of the traps at the corner. Also, on the 9th hole, trees come in on the left to guard the green, so better to play to the right of the traps on your drive.

Did You Know

In 1997, the then president of the USGA referred to the 18th hole as “lethal.” Sure enough, in both US Women’s opens played on the course, the 18th hole stopped the crowd favorites (Nancy Lopez and Anika Soerenstam) from winning the tournament.

Good For Them

WinCo Foods contributed over $7 million in proceeds from the Portland Open to local charities. The course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Course.

Why Play This Course

A very well maintained, great course with an excellent tournament history that is close to an urban area but feels far away. A wonderful place to play if you get the chance.

General

• Type: 18-hole private course
• Price: Private
• Phone/webpage: (503)647-4747/www.pumpkinridge.com
• Address:  12930 NW Old Pumpkin Ridge Road, North Plains, Oregon 97133
• Owner: Pumpkin Ridge Joint Venture, dba for Escalante Pumpkin Ridge LLC
• Designer: Bob Cupp
• Pros: John Kawasoe (PGA; OPGA Professional of the Year 2018); Mattew Brandt (PGA)
• Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass or mats, sand and pitching practice areas, and practice green
• Pro Shop: Medium-sized with clothing and some equipment
• Food: Very good restaurant in clubhouse open to members and guests; snack bar at turn
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
• Yardage Markers: On sprinklers; take a pin sheet
• Clothing: Proper golf attire
• Walkable: Hilly in places, but fine overall
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
• Rentals:  All
• Open all year and generally drains well in winter