Summerfield Golf and Country Club

General Course Description

Summerfield Golf and Country Club is a public (but there are reserved/priority tee times for the men’s and women’s clubs), 9-hole (but dual tee box for 18) course in Tigard. Summerfield Golf and Country Club is neither an executive course (even though it has three par 3s and six fairly short par 4s) nor a course restricted to people over 55. It is a short course whose fairways are lined with houses. But it is a well-maintained and attractive course. There are enough trees, traps (mostly around the greens), water, houses, and bends to require big hitters to adjust their thinking. Indeed, a wide variety of trees encroach on (and sometimes are in the middle of) fairways. Back and forward tees are generally pretty close (although the tees for the front and back 9s are different). It is a flat course with not too much distance between holes; a very easy walk.

Course History

Opened in 1973.

Why It Is There

Built on former farmland as part of the Summerfield retirement community. Played by folks within and without that community (many younger than 55).

I Wish I would Have Known Before I played

The course is pretty much in front of you. On the 4th hole, a short par 4 dogleg left, a Redwood forces you to stay right on the drive; although there are some trees right, it is fairly open. The trap on the left of the par 4 8th is about 50 yards short of the middle of the green.

Did You Know

In the 1980s, the most famous resident of the course was Henry the Great Blue Heron, who was the subject of a popular children’s book by Ingeborg MacHaffie.

Good For Them

The course had a waterfowl problem (they tried wooden wolves, had volunteers with rakes, and use goose dogs), but now volunteer use a number of coordinated methods (alligator heads in ponds, slapping 2x4s) to chase birds away. The Tualatin and Tigard High School teams play for free but are required to help with course upkeep. Every year, the Men’s and Women’s Clubs pick a local charity and then hold a golf event to support that charity. The course’s superintendent, Zach Palmer, was named Superintendent of the Year by the OGA in 2021.

Why Play This Course

A short, close by (for folks in Portland Metro) course that is an easy play (by “easy,” I mean laid back, an easy walk, and generally quick — although there are times when it can be crowded).

General

• • Type: 9-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (503)620-1200/www.summerfield55.org/golf
  • Address:  10650 SW Summerfield Drive, Tigard, Oregon 97224
  • Owner: Summerfield Civic Association
  • Designer: Ted Robinson, Sr.
  • Pros: Rob Lindsey (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Chipping and putting green (for members and residents, there is a driving net and a separate chipping area).
  • Pro Shop: In the bottom floor of the community center, it has a good bit of clothing and some equipment
  • Food: Candy and soda only
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 125 blue spruce trees; 150, 100, and 50 in-ground markers; some sprinklers have yardage; lower flag on the pin marks position
  • Clothing: T-shirts and non-holed jeans are OK (no tank tops)
  • Walkable: Flat, easy walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • All seasons