Ranch Hills Golf Course

General Course Description NOTE THIS COURSE IS NOW CLOSEDRanch Hills golf

Ranch Hills Golf Course is a shortish 9-hole public course in a rural setting within easy driving distance from Portland (about 25 miles south of downtown). Ranch Hills Golf Course is nestled beneath wooded foothills in a river valley that is otherwise filled with ranches and farms. Large mature trees and Mill Creek running through the property make it an attractive place to play. The course is different, with long par 3s, very short par 5s, some tees on mats (and some up steep stairs), a covered bridge, and character signs (at least one on a tree asking “Why you are playing over here”).  Fairways are mixed and a little fuzzy, and greens are generally small, mounded, and a bit slow (but consistent).  Although there are some hills, it is not a bad walk. Forward tees significantly improve angles.

Course History

Opened in 1965 on the former Enright Ellis Horse Ranch. The original owners sold the course to Pat and Jim Smith who sold it to Dewey Wyatt in 1991. Mr. Wyatt owned and operated the course until July 2017, when he sold it to Jerry and Mary Minor (Mr. Minor played the course when he was younger and would occasionally help Mr. Wyatt with operations). In the summer of 2023, the Minors sold the course and the course closed.

Why It Is There

Local developers, including Robert Blaine, wanted to build a golf course (probably to sell neighboring land). The course has carried on through the work of Mr. Wyatt and now the Minors.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Hole 4 is a short par 4 that goes straight up at the end. The cart path goes behind the green, so any ball long will get a wicked bounce. Hole 5 is a short par 5, where you can easily drive through the fairway (from the very elevated tee, off a mat), but you need to be far enough (about 180 yards from the back tees) to clear the corner trees. Hole 8 is another short par 5 with a sharp dog leg left over Mill Creek. A well-placed drive would be just beyond the bridge that crosses the creek, about 180 yards from the back tees (if you try to fly the creek and the bridge, the landing area is pretty small and you don’t gain that much yardage).

Did You Know

Local rules allow you 2 club-length drop from any tree under 8 feet tall (it’s in fine print on the scorecard). Jerry Minor played on the Portland State University Golf Team, became a 3rd Team All American, and is in the PSU Sports Hall of Fame. He was also a pro at Eastmoreland and Progress (now Red Tail) and played in the 1983 US Open. For many years, he and his wife hosted golfers from Nevada who were playing in the Hogan Cup (a team match event that pits the best junior golfers in the West and Western Canada against each other).

Good For Them

Local grade schools take students to the course for physical education classes. Mid-week discounts for First Responders. Kids under 10 pay their age, and in some Spring months, kids play for free. Home course for Country Christian School.

Why Play This Course

A course that is close to the Portland metro area, but rests in an attractive rural setting. It has unique holes and gracious and friendly owners.

General

    • Type: 9-hole public course
    • Price: $$
    • Phone/webpage: (503)829-5666/ranchhillsgolfcourse.com
    • Address:  26710 S. Ranch Hills Road, Mulino, Oregon 97042
    • Owner: Jerry and Mary Minor
    • Designer: Everett R. Leisure (although some attribute the design to the original owner, Robert J. Blane)
    • Pros: None
    • Practice Facilities: Pitching area and practice green
    • Pro Shop: Minimal, some balls and tees
    • Food: Hot dogs and snacks, beer and soda; comfortable places to eat inside and out
    • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta pottie on course
    • Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100 inground markers; 125 and 100 yard poles on the sides of the fairways
    • Clothing: Tank tops and non-holed jeans are OK
    • Walkable: Hilly but short, a good walk
    • Spikes: Soft
    • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
    • Rentals: All
    • Open all year, but can flood in winter
YardsParRatingSlope
Blue25863633111
White24213632/34.1105/114
Red22593633.2113
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Ranch Hills Golf Course
Average rating:  
 4 reviews
 by Marie wolfe

A great family friendly coarse !

 by Mike Jondahl

Great 9 hole golf course, Jerry and Mary are wonderful people and are doing great improvements to the course.

 by Bill Vertner

Great golf course for all types of players. Very friendly and personal owners who provide a atmosphere of family and provide everything one needs to enjoy a great round of golf. The course is in great shape and the new owners are changing some of the tees and improving the fairways to provide an even more enjoyable round,

 by Chris

Improvements are being made, but that seems to be at the cost of normal up-keep. Grass is getting longer on the tees and weeds and clover are coming in the fairways. Still a fun place to play and I'd go back.