Salishan Golf Links

General Course Description

Salishan Golf Links is an 18-hole public course on the Central Oregon Coast just south of Lincoln City. Although on the coast, Salishan Golf Links has only occasional views of the ocean. The first 9 holes wind through the coastal forest foothills and is narrow, and the second nine is flat and more open with views of the ocean and Selitz Bay. Both sides have lots of traps and a bit of water. Salishan Golf Links is an attractive and challenging course with some great holes. Generally very well maintained, with great greens. Although there are some hills (particularly on the front side), it is a nice walk. Forward tees provide the benefit of shorter distance and better angles.

Course History

First 9 (the back 9) opened in 1963. The second 9 opened in 1965. It was remodeled in 1995 by Bill Robinson and in 2004 by Peter Jacobson and Jim Hardy.  The course and the resort have gone through several owners since John Grey’s company. The fortunes of the course have gone up and down depending on the ownership.  In 2017/2018 the course was purchased out of a real estate only bank holding company by an investment company based out of California (but having some local investors as well). The new owners (and pro) are putting in a lot of energy and improvement to the course, including adding an additional set of tee boxes and hosting OGA and PNGA tournaments (including the 2020 Men’s Stroke Play Championship).

Why It Is There

Built by John Grey as part of the Salishan resort and housing development.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On hole 2, an uphill par 4, on your approach the fairway pitch increases and if the pin is in back of the longish green you may have to go up two clubs. On hole 4, a 3 par, the wind on the green will be different than the wind on the tee; check (and trust) the flag. On the 5th hole, a par 5, there is a trap on the left side of the fairway about 30 yards in front of the green that you cannot see until its too late. On hole 8, a par 5, the trees are tall and thick at the corner (and the dogleg is a sharp right), staying left on the drive will help.  On hole 17, the green severely tilts left to right. And in case you are wondering, you can reach the parking lot from the 10th tee.

Did You Know

The locals have a lot of names for the tract: holes 6 through 9 are referred to as “The Rack” (because they can be the most painful); the left corner causing the dogleg on 9 is called “Africa” (because its a jungle in there); and the golf maintenance shed which is drivable on 14 is called “The Palace” (although it should be called “Hotel California” because you can’t get out).

Good For Them

They do lots. In 1996, it received an award from LINKS magazine for outstanding conservation of natural resources and continues to follow a tradition of environmental protection. All water used is from rain runoff, that is stored in the collection ponds. The course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Course.  They host a series of women’s clinics in the summer called “Chicks With Sticks.” They put on a 4-week junior golf clinic in partnership with the Lincoln City Community Center. They are the host course for Taft High School and co-host for Newport High School. They host many charity events including for the North Lincoln County Hospital and Taft High School.

Why Play This Course

A unique Oregon golf experience; a target course through the trees, and a links course along the ocean. An attractive course in a beautiful setting.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$$$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)764-3632/www.salishan.com
  • Address:  7760 North Highway 101, Gleneden Beach, Oregon 97388
  • Owner: Highway 101 North Holdings, LLC
  • Designer: Fred Federspiel; Bill Robinson (1995 remodel); Peter Jacobson and Jim Hardy (2004 remodel)
  • Pros: Tom Graves (PGA Assistant), Jerad A. Lambert (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Partially covered driving range on mats, practice chipping and sand area, practice green; the newly installed Player’s Lounge in the clubhouse has a TrackMan Golf Simulator (for those rainy days)
  • Pro Shop: Well stocked with clothing and some equipment
  • Food: Hook & Slice Cafe, in clubhouse, is a full service cafe with a comfortable dining area
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 stones; 200, 150, and 100 posts on nthe side of the fairways; yardage on sprinklers; pin positions are zonal (get the number)
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire requested
  • Walkable: Hilly (particularly the front side), but a fine walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • All seasons