The Mook at Alderbrook

General Course Description

The Mook at Alderbrook is an 18-hole public course just north of Tillamook on the coast. The Mook at Alderbrook  rests near dairy farms at the foot of the Coast Range and has many old-growth trees. One 9 is generally short, but with mature trees and narrow holes. The other 9 is more open, but with some tricky holes (including one that goes straight up). Traps, water, and elevation changes (some severe) make for an interesting round. Course conditions have greatly improved recently (mostly on the front 9), and the course is in generally good shape. Greens are almost all small and raised and in good condition. There are several holes with steep hills. It is walkable, but you might sweat a bit. (If the wind is coming from the south, you will smell the local dairies.)

Course History

The first 9 was built in 1924 and the second 9 in 1966. The course was materially remodeled in 2011. In October 2021, the course closed to be sold for possible residential development. However, four couples from the area formed Aldermook LLC, which bought the course in January 2023, and reopened the course on April 1, 2023, as The Mook at Alderbrook. The new owners have rapidly been making improvements.

Why It Is There

The owner of the dairy farm, Lee Smith, wanted to build a course. After closing in 2021, it has been given a second life by some locals (thank you! – hope this works).

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The 2nd hole is an up-hill, dogleg left par 4 that crosses over a stream twice. You drive out of a tree-lines chute to the turn that starts about 200 yards from the three-tiered green. The fairway opens at the turn (and don’t forget about the stream about 40 yards in front of the green). The 8th hole is a seemingly harmless par 3. But much is going on that you cannot see from the tee: there are traps on either side of the green, and the green has a deep valley running through the middle — check your pin placement and take the right club to get it there. The 13th hole is a par 4 that has a severe dogleg left about 125 yards from the hole. You have to drive it up the right side to have a chance to reach the green in two. Finally, there was little yardage information on the back 9 – bring a rangefinder.

Did You Know

When it opened as a 9-hole course, the remainder of the property was still a dairy farm. But the barn was on the opposite side of the course from the pasture. Each morning, play would stop so the cows could cross the course going from the barn to the pasture. With the new ownership, each hole has been named for a native tree, bush, or flower that you can see on that hole. The 15th hole, a severely up-hill par 3, was named one of the worst holes in Oregon by The Oregonian in 1994. The new owners are building an elevated tee box to make the reach to the green less drastic. And “The Mook” is a nickname for Tillamook.

Good For Them

Rain is collected in the ponds and then used for irrigation. They have partnered with the local YMCA to support junior golf in the area. They host junior camps in the summer. It is the home course for Tillamook High School. And they hold a local cross-country race on the course.

Why Play This Course

Although some of the holes are a bit different, it is a beautiful course in a beautiful place that is much improved.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$$
  • Phone/webpage: (971)289-4653/themook.com
  • Address:  7300 Alderbrook Road, Tillamook, Oregon 97141
  • Owner: Aldermook LLC
  • Designer: Lee Smith (original 9), Marvin Prangborn (second 9)
  • Pros: None
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on mats with cover, pitching area, and practice green
  • Pro Shop: Some equipment and clothing
  • Food: The Bunker Grill is a full-service restaurant serving breakfast lunch and dinner (call for times)
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta potties on course
  • Yardage Markers: in ground and on path 200, 150, and 100 markers (on front 9 only); pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: Be nicely dressed (no tank tops or cutoffs)
  • Walkable: Hilly, you will sweat
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Generally open all year