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General Course Description

[Note: this post is from August 2022, just after the 18-hole course opened. A lot of items, such as the clubhouse, practice facilities, community programming, and food, were in their initial stages. Accordingly, this post will be subject to change as items are completed.] Bar Run golf course just outside of Roseburg, is the newest golf course in Oregon.  Bar Run is built on a former sand and gravel mine along the Umpqua River. You can see the river in some places, but it never comes into play. The course sits in an attractive broad valley surrounded by treed hills. Bar Run has a nice, open feel that adds to the beauty of the course. Most holes are in an open area around a lake formed from the former mining pit, but even the holes among the trees are very open (except the 8th hole). Graceful undulating fairways with water and bunkers appearing throughout provide a nice variety of links and target holes. The greens roll well, and have a lot of character, most with multiple tiers.  The forward tees provide a great benefit of much less distance and avoidance of many hazards. The course is flat and compact; a very nice walk.

Course History

The sand and gravel mining operations where the course is located started in the 1960s. When mining activity stopped in that area (there is still an active operation next door), the owners wanted to recover the land as a golf course with an RV park (that also has tiny house accommodations). The owners originally shaped a few par 3s that they played. The first 10 holes opened to the public in 2021. All 18 holes opened in 2022. As of 2022, the clubhouse was a temporary shelter.

Why It Is There

The owners of a retiring sand and gravel mine wanted to do something productive with the land.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

With six par-3 holes, the seemingly short yardage mischaracterizes the difficulty of the course. You may not want to play the back tees unless you can easily carry 200 yards on your drive.  The 6th hole, a replica of the 13th hole at North Berwick (named “The Pit”) has a thick concrete wall starting in front of the green and then running diagonally to the green’s right. The best approach is to hit your drive to the front of the left fairway trap to have a view of the sunken green behind the wall. Hole 12 is a par 5 where you drive over a waste area and up a hill. The other side of the hill is steeper on the left and the ball will roll out longer on that side. When leaving the green on 15, the tee box to the left is the 17th hole tee box; don’t go there. Take the cart path on the right side of the green to the 16th tee. And take a range finder: there is minimal yardage information on the fairways and only some of the carts have GPS information.

Did You Know

The colors of the tee markers (black, copper, gray, and burgundy) are different than most courses. When they were laying out the course, they would use rocks from the river to mark the possible tees. The river rock was colored (or trended to the colors of) black, grey, and burgundy. The copper color is for rust, which is reflected in the old mining equipment scattered about the course. (I understand that the course is getting new tee markers that will be in the shape of mini drag buckets. Can’t wait to see them.)

Good For Them

The course itself, being a positive recovery project, should be celebrated. The course is still finding its program legs, but hopes to hold family golf clinics and have joint programs with local businesses (like wineries) to attract women players. There is a bee garden being developed and the course is cooperating with the local Audubon Society to monitor the abundant bird life on and around the course.

Why Play This Course

Bar Run is a very attractive course filled with a variety of different and interesting holes. The course can be a real challenge from the back tees, but can also be family friendly with accommodating front tees.  Being a new course, its is still finding its legs and waiting for expanded practice and food options. But the great staff and the fine condition of the course makes it a place you should consider playing soon.

General

• • Type: 18 hole public course
  • Price: $$$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)492-000/barrungolf.com
  • Address: 640 Shady Drive Roseburg, Oregon 97471
  • Owner: Umpqua Sand & Gravel, Inc., abn of P.K. Guido, Inc. (Kelly and Mona Guido)
  • Designer: Dan Hixon
  • Pros: Chris Garrison (PGA), Christopher Risley
  • Practice Facilities:  Putting green; the course is planning on installing by spring of 2023 a driving range off grass and mats and subsequently a large short game practice facility with traps
  • Pro Shop: In a temporary clubhouse with some clothing (the new clubhouse should be open before summer of 2024)
  • Food: Snacks, soda, and beer (the course is planning on a full service café in the clubhouse when it is built)
  • Bathrooms: Temporary bathroom at the clubhouse and porta potties on the course (the course is planning on improved bathrooms in the clubhouse and improved bathrooms on the course)
  • Yardage Markers: Some yardage on some sprinklers, and some carts have GPS; take a range finder
  • Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
  • Walkable: Very
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: None (will have an air hose and brushes)
  • Rentals: Clubs, pull carts, and motorized carts
  • Open year-round

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	6215	70	69.3	118
Copper	5845	70	67.7/72.8	115/126
Grey	5310	70	65/69.8	111/119
Burgundy	4590	70	65.4	109

[Portions of this post are repeated in the other courses making up the Bandon complex: Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Bandon Preserve, and Charlotte’s]

General Course Description

Sheep Ranch is the most recent addition to the world-class collection of golf courses that comprise Bandon Dunes. Of all the Bandon courses, Sheep Ranch is the most exposed to the wind, the most open (more so than Old Mac), and fully embraces the ocean, with views of the ocean from every hole. It is also the only course without any sand bunkers or sand-based waste areas (there are many grass (sometime dirt) bunkers and waste areas).  The course, particularly the greens, seems to be a bit more forgiving than the other courses (the wind on the exposed setting may lower the margin of this difference).  The overall result is a challenging but fun golf experience that you cannot help but enjoy. Forward tees (there are family tees) provide the benefits of easier angles and shorter distances. A very nice walk.

Course History

Opened in 2020.  Not part of the original Bandon Dunes property bought by Mike Keiser. The property, north of Old Mac, was purchased by Mr. Keiser and Phil Friedmann (classmates at Amherst College and later co-owners of Recycled Paper Greetings).  There was an issue concerning getting a permit to operate a golf course on the property, so Mr. Keiser suggested calling it a “Sheep Ranch,” where players would simply go around the property hitting balls.  Tom Doak then designed a course with crisscrossing fairways and 13 greens (it was then called “Bally Bandon Sheep Ranch”).  The course was shaped and seeded, but marginally maintained (some referred to it as “wilderness golf”).  But if you knew the right person and paid the right fee, you would be given entry into the gate with the course beyond.  When Messrs. Friedmann and Keiser agreed to make it a public 18-hole course, they invited Mr. Doak, Bill Coore, and Gil Hanse to submit proposals.  Mr. Coore’s proposal was selected and construction started in 2018.  Golf Digest selected Sheep Ranch as the best new course of 2020. In 2021 Golf Digest ranked the course 16th in it’s list of America’s Greatest Public Courses.

Why It Is There

After the success of Bandon Dunes and its related courses, and the golfing public repeatedly seeking out and paying to play the rugged version of the Sheep Ranch, Mike Keiser finally agreed with Phil Friedmann to build the course.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

It’s the greens. Although generally kinder than the other courses, the greens still have undulations, ridgebacks, and mounding. It’s a great course to bring a caddy, just to have guidance as to how to approach a green (the wind can swirl; some greens, like 7 and 9, run away from the fairway; eight sit above the ocean cliff and some of those have edges that run away from the hole and towards the ocean) or how to putt once you get on the green. If you don’t take a caddy, you may have to play the course several times, taking copious notes. And be careful of the routing, which can be confusing at times (another reason to take a caddy – at least the first time).

Did You Know

In the 1970s the property was owned by a utility and operated as a wind farm. But the property was so windy that the windmills fell apart.  The 11th green, and the area around it, was a former sand quarry where an earthen wall collapsed to expose a cavity that is now the green.

Good For Them

These folks do a lot of good things. Received an award as one of the Best Green Workplaces in 2016 by Oregon Business. The resort won the 2012 Golf Digest’s Green Star Award for its efforts in conservation and environmental protection. The Director of Agronomy, Ken Nice, received an award in 2017 from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America as an environmental leader in the Resort Course Category for overall course management practices in the areas of water conservation, water-quality management, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste management, and wildlife and habitat conservation.  The complex is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Teaching host course for Southwestern Oregon Community College and Bandon High School. Evans Scholarship participant course. Historically, complementary junior clinics have been conducted by Scott Millhouse, head pro at Bandon Trails.

Why Play This Course

It’s a Bandon course (and it lives up to that standard); that should be enough reason to play it. It is a challenging course, but possibly the most golfer-friendly of the Bandon courses (when the wind is not up) that fully embraces the ocean. To just walk the course would be a special outing; to play it is a real treat.

General

• • Type: 18 hole public course
  • Price: $$$$$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)347-4380/www.bandondunesgolf.com
  • Address: 57744 Round Lake Road, Bandon, Oregon 97411
  • Owner: Bandon Dunes, LP
  • Designer: Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore
  • Pros: Ryder DeSteunder (PGA Associate)
  • Practice Facilities:  The course has its own driving range and putting green. You can also use the expansive Bandon practice area: two driving ranges, practice sand and chipping areas, and a large putting green
  • Pro Shop: Nice-sized with some equipment and lots of clothing (and rain gear)
  • Food: A cafe, with a full bar, some sandwiches, and snacks and a great outside sitting area with a view of the course and the ocean
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: All over in ground; take a pin sheet
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: Very
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes
  • Rentals: Clubs and pull carts; motorized carts are discouraged but can be arranged
  • Open year-round

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	6636	72	71.9	121
Green	6245	72	70	116
Gold	5810	72	67.9/73.8	109/124
Orange	5144	72	65/69.8	102/112
Royal Blue	3943	72	62.8	99

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General Course Description

Pine Meadows Golf Course is a public 9-hole course on the southeast slopes of Mt. Hood, just outside the town of Wamic (about 35 miles south of The Dalles). Pine Meadows Golf Course rests on the side of a hill in a beautiful setting with great views of Mt. Hood. The course is in a confined space, and you can see every hole from the clubhouse. But this is not a typical pasture course, in that the holes are different from each other (some having character). Although the fairways are mixed and the greens slow, the course is well maintained. Other than the 2nd hole (described more fully below), the course is pretty open with some trees and a smattering of water. Elevation changes and small greens provide the biggest challenge. Pine Meadows Golf Course has a very friendly staff. The course is a little hilly, but walkable.

Course History

Opened in 1990 as Pine Hollow Golf Course on forestland owned by Irl and Orlana Davis. In the mid-1990s, Bob Kjenslee bought the course but defaulted on the contract, and the property went back to the Davis family in 2010 after foreclosure. The present owners purchased the course in 2011 and renamed it Pine Meadows (so it would not be confused with the nearby lake and resort).

Why It Is There

Mr. Davis, who had never golfed before, told The Oregonian that he built the course because his wife wanted to play golf (and there is a pretty good distance to the next course). The course was essentially saved by the present owners (thank you very much), who own a nearby farm and often played the course before buying it. When they purchased the course, family and friends all joined in to bring the then shaggy course back to life (they used flower pots as holes while the greens were returning). The course is improving yearly and has a pretty strong local following.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

How to get there: the course is not in Tygh Valley; it is in Wamic. Take the turn off Highway 197 to Tygh Valley, but in Tygh Valley, take the road up the hill to Wamic; when you get to Wamic, you will see the sign to the course. I have my own suggestions on how to play the 2nd hole (see below), but on the 4th hole, an uphill par 3, where you hit over a retaining wall, a mound on the other side of the retaining wall will kick your ball over the green. Best to club up and land on the green. Note also that because the course has a community feel and you can see every hole, the clubhouse will often send groups out to the most open stretch of holes to start play (so a pair of golfers may magically appear on one of the open holes in front of you).

Did You Know

The 2nd hole opened as a par 4 double dogleg of 212 yards (it is now 224 yards). Mr. Davis purposefully left as many trees on the hole as possible and was delighted when the locals named the hole “The Hole from Hell,” even though some balls would hit off trees onto his roof (he lived in the adjacent house). In 1994, the hole was voted one of the 9 worst holes in the state by readers of The Oregonian. Some of the trees have been removed, but you still tee off into a canyon of trees to find a pair of trees in the middle of the fairway about 40 yards from the green. From the tee, you can see that a 180-200 yard shot to the left of the fairway trees is the way to go. But unless you are sure about your ability to hit that shot through the tree limbs ready to reject your ball, hit a short shot to the front of the fairway trees and punch your ball onto the green.

Good For Them

The course annually hosts golf tournaments to support breast cancer research and local school sports.

Why Play This Course

A unique course, with some interesting holes, in a very beautiful part of the state. With some nice folks and a very reasonable price, if you are in the area with a few hours, you should stop by.

General

• • • Type: 9-hole public course
    • Price: $$ (but not by much)
    • Phone/webpage: (541)544-2422/no website
    • Address: 8 South County Road, Tygh Valley, Oregon 97063
    • Owner: Jim and Darlene Nordquist
    • Designer: Irl Davis, Jr.
    • Pros: None
    • Practice Facilities: 18-hole putting course
    • Pro Shop: Spacious, but little clothing or equipment
    • Food: Some sandwiches, snacks, soda, and beer
    • Bathrooms: In clubhouse and on course
    • Yardage Markers: 150 and 100 in-ground markers, no pin placement information (but the greens are pretty small)
    • Clothing: Be dressed
    • Walkable: A little hilly, but compact and walkable
    • Spikes: Soft
    • Shoe Cleaning: None
    • Rentals: All (clubs are free, but a little dated)
    • Open year-round

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Blue	2463	34	31.7	108
White	2324	35	31.2/33.2	99/112
Gold	1953	35	30.2/31.1	91/102
Red	1849	34	30.2	95

General Course Description

The Oregon Golf Club is a 18-hole private course located in the hills southeast of Portland (just south of West Linn). You turn off of Petes Mountain Road and go down a long tree-lined lane that opens onto an impressive two-story clubhouse with a straight-on view of Mt. Hood and the valley below (with some power lines just off to the side).  The course is built on the side of a hill, so many holes go down and up (and side to side). After being in the open for the first four holes, the course is lined with Douglas Fir trees.  The trees and hills are the primary issues, but there are many traps and there is occasional water (in the form of a lake and several creeks).  Fairways are well maintained and the often undulating  greens are excellent (hold well but are fast and true). The course (as opposed to the practice area and clubhouse) has occasional views of Mt. Hood and one nice view of the Willamette River. Forward tees provide benefit of shorter distances and avoidance of hazards. The course is very hilly; take a cart unless strenuous exercise is your primary goal.

Course History

Opened in 1992 on property that was a cattle ranch and Christmas tree farm (and in 1986 was slated to be a garbage dump).  In 1995, Golf Digest listed the course as one of the top 10 courses in Oregon (but in 1994, The Oregonian listed the 9th hole as one of the nine worst holes in Oregon). The course has hosted many tournaments, including the Oregon Amateur (2004 and 2017) and the Oregon Open (2003), as well as a U.S. Open qualifier (1994). The course also hosted Peter Jacobsen’s Fred Meyer Challenge from 1992 to 1997  (so many famous golfers have walked the course).

Why It Is There

Built as part of a luxury housing development by NW Landmark Corp., a subsidiary of Daioh International, the U.S. subsidiary of Daioh Corp., a  Japanese entity partially owned by Tadamasa Ohno, who attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland. In 1993, Mr. Tadamasa died and the course was sold in 1996 to National Golf Properties, the real estate arm of American Golf, which continues to own the course through a different subsidiary.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

A lot, so take a yardage book and study it on each hole.  The holes that have significant uphills to the green play longer than you think (even considering the uphills), but most have up-slopes beyond the greens that will keep the ball in play. Practice playing uneven lies before you arrive. And several greens run away from the fairway (so a bump and run may end up well beyond the hole).

Did You Know

In addition to the golf luminaries that have walked the course as part of the Fred Meyer Challenge, other notable Oregon golfers have worked at the course. PGA Pro Pat Fitzsimons was the club’s first pro. Pro Jeff Fought was an assistant pro at the course for many years in the 1990s. And the first hole-in-one on the course was in 1992 (on the scary 12th hole) by Jim Etzel, who at the time was working for Peter Jacobsen Productions and is now CEO of Sport Oregon (Oregon’s sports economic development entity).

Good For Them

They have installed over 2,000 bird boxes in an effort to have birds return to the course. The lake on the front 9 collects water runoff for use in course irrigation. The course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Why Play This Course

A well-maintained course with great greens and views. The hillside layout provides a series of unique and interesting holes (that may frustrate some but challenge others).

General

• Type: 18-hole private course
• Price: Private
• Phone/webpage: (503) 650-6900/www.oregongolfclub.com
• Address: 25700 SW Petes Mt. Road, West Linn, Oregon 97068
• Owner: AGC REalty, LLC
• Designer: Peter Jacobsen
• Pros: Bob Turnquist (PGA), Erik Mettille (PGA), Maggie Simons (PGA; named one of the best golf teachers in the state by Golf Digest)
• Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass and mats (some under cover),  short game area with two traps and two greens, and a 12,000 sq/ft practice green (all with great views of Mt. Hood)
• Pro Shop: Well stocked with clothing and some equipment
• Food: Full-service restaurant in clubhouse is open at lunch and dinner for members and guests
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
• Yardage Markers: Yardage on sprinklers; 250, 200, 150, and 100 markers on cart path; take a pin sheet
• Clothing: Proper golf attire
• Walkable: Very hilly, take a cart
• Spikes: Soft spikes
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
• Rentals: All
• Open in winter but can be muddy

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	7052	72	74.8	145
Blue	6629	72	72.5	136
White	6081	72	69.7/76.5	133/139
Green	5313	72	72	132

General Course Description

The Nines Golf Course, fka Bayou Golf Course, has a 9-hole par-3 public course adjacent to the 9-hole course to the west of McMinnville, just off of Highway 99W.  Holes range in yardage from 70 to 165. Except for some trees and bushes (in particular, on the 9th hole), the course is very open.  The differing yardage and the small greens can make it difficult. But the openness of the course (there are no fairways, just a mono-cut) makes the course accepting of a  wide variety of skill levels. The greens are very spotty (which is unfortunate, given how small they are). Several holes have elevation changes or carries over a fairway valley. Flat, compact and short; an easy walk. [Much of the information below is repeated in the description of The Nines Golf Course.]

Course History

Built in 1964. In the fall of 2021, the course (and attached manor) was purchased by Headquarters Concepts LLC, based in Portland, with financing provided by an entity of Terrance Kay whose family runs Salem Golf Course.  Although improvements to the course were promised, including it serving as the future home of a 75-room boutique hotel and conference and events center, in 2023 the course closed, fell into foreclosure, and reverted back to the lender. The property is now owned by Minto Brown Place LLC, an entity owned by Mr. Kay, and the course is now operated by West Yamhill LLC, an entity owned by Mr. Kay’s son Joshua Kay. A re-opening of the course (with improved greens) is planned for the end of April 2024.

Why It Is There

Originally built by the White family as part of White Manor Retirement complex.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The greens are very small (and some are very hard). The course is more exposed than the neighboring regulation 9-hole course: it can be much more windy on the Par 3. And there is no yardage on the tees. Make sure you have a scorecard.

Good For Them

They water by hand. In drought times, they only water tees and greens.

Why Play This Course

Its a good course for a wide variety of skill levels. The general openness of the course allows for new golfers to get around comfortably. The small greens make is a challenge for the experienced golfer. And it is moderately priced.

General

• Type: 9-hole, 3-par, public course
• Price: $
• Phone/webpage: (503)857-2478/no web site, but one is planned
• Address:  9301 SW Bayou Drive, McMinnville, Oregon 97128
• Operator: West Yamhill LLC
• Designer: William Sander
• Pros: None
• Practice Facilities: The driving range is now closed; putting green with chipping area is open
• Pro Shop: Minimal clothing and equipment
• Food: Snacks, soda and snacks (alcohol license has been applied for)
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta potty on the course
• Yardage Markers: None
• Clothing: Be dressed (including a shirt)
• Walkable: Very
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Brush and air hose
• Rentals: All
• Seasonality: Open year-round

	Yards	Par
Back	1020	27
Front	950	27

General Course Description

Just 11 miles northeast of Medford, the Stone Ridge Golf Club is a public 18-hole course nestled in rolling oak foothills. Without any houses on the course, the course is in a very attractive and pastoral setting (although with a gun club and racing track in the area, it can be noisy). The course has many interesting holes, with trees, turns, elevation changes, traps and some water providing the challenges. Based on reports, the course has significantly improved over prior years. The fairways are mixed, but well maintained and the greens are generally true and hold well. It is a course with great “bones” (layout and setting) that you can tell is improving.  A very nice staff runs the place. Forward tees provide shorter distances and better angles. The course has several hills, but is fairly compact. You can walk it with some effort.

Course History

Opened in 1995 on property owned by Jim Cochran’s family for 18 years. Soon after it opened, Golf Digest named the course the best course to play in Oregon for under $50. Accounts say that the course fell into disrepair over the years. In 2019, the course and surrounding property were purchased by Portlander Terry M. Emmert and The Emmert International Group (which moves big things, such as the Spruce Goose).  New management was put into place, including Mr. Emmert’s son Terry, and pro Vince Domenzain (formerly of Centennial Golf Club). Changes are quickly being made, including flipping the 9s.

Why It Is There

Mr. Cochran wanted to design, build, and operate a golf course.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the short, steeply downhill par-4 4th hole, the trap in front of the green left is several yards in front of the green and there is a slot to the left of that trap that can help carry your ball to the green (of course, if you miss the slot, you are likely in the trap).  On the par-4 15th hole, there is a dogleg left at about the 150 pole. To aviod the trees left after the turn, you need to hit it past the 150 pole or go right of it to give yourself some room to go over the trees on the left. And on the short, downhill, par-4 17th hole, from the tee box it looks like trees cross the fairway, with oak trees early right and then further back on the left. There is room after the trees on the right side, where mounding may bring your ball back to the center (you may want to be right of center to have a clearer shot to the green down the hill).

Did You Know

In the 1940s, the land was used as part of an artillery range affiliated with Camp White, a training camp for soldiers during World War II. Between the 13th green and the 14th tee box, you can see remnants of “spider holes” (6′ deep fox holes)  that were used during training.

Good For Them

The new management team is just getting started, but they already host women’s only clinics and 4-day camps for juniors. The course hosts classes from Central Point Parks and Recreation. Starting in 2020, the course will host the Southern Oregon Military Appreciation Tournament to benefit charities throughout the Rogue Valley.

Why Play This Course

An improving course in a very attractive setting with a great staff. It may be one of the best values for 18 holes in the area.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)830-4653/www.stoneridgegolfcourse.com
  • Address: 500 East Antelope, Eagle Point, Oregon 97524
  • Owner: Stone Ridge Golf Club & Course, LLC
  • Designer: James A. Cochran
  • Pros: Vince Domenzain (PGA), Roger Hults (PGA Associate), Sean McLean
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, pitching area, two putting greens
  • Pro Shop: Some clothes and equipment
  • Food: Top of the Ridge Cafe and Patio has sandwiches (including breakfast sandwiches), hot dogs, snacks, sodas, beer, and wine; open when the course is open
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and port-a-potty on course
  • Yardage Markers:  250, 200, 150, and 100 in-ground markers; 150 posts; pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire requested
  • Walkable: Hilly in places, causing some exertion for a walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hoses and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	6738	72	72.9	139
Blue	6312	72	70.8	132
White	5834	72	68.6/74.1	123/134
Red	4986	72	69.2	121

General Course Description

The Broken Top Club is a private 18-hole course is just to the west of downtown Bend. It is an attractive course mostly set in the tall trees (behind which there are often houses), but you can frequently see the nearby Cascades. A lot of sand, elevation changes, some water, and lots of trees combine to provide many interesting holes. Although the course provides many challenges, it is rarely unfair (unless you pick the wrong tee box). Fairways and greens are fairly uniform and very well maintained (although there was some damage caused by the late, hard winter in 2019). Almost all of the greens have a ridgeback of some sort. With elevation changes and walks between holes, a cart is suggested (but there are trails to help the walker between holes). Forward tees provide benefit of better angles and shorter distances.

Course History

Opened in 1993 on former timber and mining property. The course was bought and sold many times before being purchased in 2011 by Thrivent Financial through Gold Ring Holdings, LLC. At the end of 2019, the course was sold to the local homeowners association (good for them!).  The course hosted the Oregon Open in 2012. The course was listed as one of the top 10 courses in Oregon by Golf Digest for several years.

Why It Is There

Built as part of the Broken Top housing development by Broken Top Limited Partnership, a consortium of investors from Portland, San Francisco, and Japan.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The pro shop is not in the large, attractive building next to the parking lot, but in the small building further on to the west and next to the lake (take your bag to the carts next to the big building and drive to the cozy, but soon to be expanded, pro shop). The 9th hole is a short dogleg left. When you get on the tee box, you will see a separate marker with a variety of distances, because there are multiple options for this hole. You can try to drive the green (over some trees and sagebrush), be short of the trap left (with a second shot over a fairway and then greenside traps), be short of the trap in the center of the fairway (with a second shot over some trees and a greenside trap), or go over the fairway trap (and have an unobstructed shot to the green). Just pick a spot for your tee shot, double check the distance, and go. The 11th hole is a par 4 from an elevated tee to a wide landing area where you turn right and look up a pumice wall to the green that runs right to left (more so the further left you go).  Pick your most comfortable approach distance and hit your tee shot to that yardage. And the 18th hole is a par 4 dogleg left. You drive slightly uphill where the fairway crests, turns and then goes steeply down, stopping briefly at two separate, but not large, tiers.  A drive to the center, near the top of the crest, may provide a better approach then one over the crest.

Did You Know

The OGA named both the 9th hole and the 11th hole on its list of most interesting holes in Oregon. This is the only course with two such holes on the list. And members can fish in the lake next to the clubhouse (it’s catch and release).

Good For Them

Hosts two summer camps for kids (member families and guests) and PGA Junior League. Home course for Summit High School. Host of Birdies 4 Babies to benefit MountainStar (preventing child abuse and neglect). Also hosts a tournament that is one of the events for Cork & Barrel, a multi-day benefit for the KIDS Center, dedicated to the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of child abuse.

Why Play This Course

A very-well-maintained course in an attractive setting that has a good variety of really interesting holes and solid practice facilities (and a really nice staff). The multiple tee boxes allow for a wide variety of skill levels to enjoy a challenge.

General

• • Type: 18-hole private course
  • Price: Private
  • Phone/webpage: (541)383-8200/www.brokentop.com
  • Address: 62000 Broken Top Drive, Bend, Oregon 97702
  • Owner: Broken Top Community Club, LLC
  • Designer: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish
  • Pros: Travis Moore (PGA), Jack Perkins (PGA), Josh Hanson, Nate Kitt
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range off grass; two covered and heated driving bays with Trackman technology; short-game practice area with greens and traps; sand practice area; 18-hole putting course; and two additional practice greens
  • Pro Shop: Minimal (but is expanding)
  • Food: A very nice, full-service restaurant (with great views of the lake, practice area, and mountains) is open to the public for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday (the pro shop has some snacks, sodas, and beer)
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: Yardage on sprinklers; take a pin sheet
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: Hilly with distances between some holes, cart recommended
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • Closed in winter

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	7161	72	73.7	142
Green	6559	72	71/77.1	134/153
Silver	5907	72	68.2/73.4	123/143
Gold	5281	72	70.4	130

General Course Description

A pleasant and private 18-hole parkland course that is too often forgotten as an alternative country club in the Portland area (probably because of the powerlines that dominate the practice area, but only come into play on one hole).  Just over the West Hills from downtown Portland, the Rock Creek Country Club is part of a subdivision – with houses on almost every hole (always on the left, to make them safer from the slicers). Fairways are mixed but well-tended, and the greens hold well and are fair and consistent (and almost all are slightly elevated). Bunkers, some water, and some doglegs help with the challenges. A nice mix of mature trees line the holes, but are mostly limbed-up to allow some progress in recovering the errant shot. Holes are much more interesting on the back side (so don’t get complacent if you score well on the front). A relatively flat course that is surprisingly compact within a housing development. A nice walk.

Course History

There is conflicting information about the original opening date and original course architect. Some websites have the course opening in 1958, and the course has it as 1962. Based on newspaper stories at the time, it appears that the club was formed in 1962 and that the first 9 holes opened on June 1, 1964.  There is a consensus that the second 9 (now the front 9) opened in 1968.

There is also some confusion as to who designed the course.  Longtime locals say it was Tom Bartol. Some websites have it as William Sander (who designed Bayou GC).  Other publications have it as George H. Otten and George W. Otten. I tend to favor William Sander because he was an active designer at the time and the others do not appear to have been (George H. having done most of his course design work in the 1920s).

The course opened as a public course.  In 1975, the course was sold to Moschetti Corporation, who took the course private. The Moschetti Corporation was made up of Will Moschetti, Ken Harris, and Rex T. Barber.  (Rex Barber was a WWII hero who has a bridge named after him on Highway 97.) Soon thereafter, possibly as early as 1977, the club was sold to the Gabriis family.  In 2001, the course was sold to Louis J. Zimel, first through his company, Portland Fixture and then through Rock Creek Country Club, LLC. In 2008, Lou’s son David, requested that Washington County remove the open space overlay on the course, which would be an initial step if the owner wanted to increase housing in the area. In response, the residents organized, packed hearings, and wrote letters to county commissioners. Eventually, Zimel withdrew the request and the course has continued with the Zimel’s making significant capital improvements to the course and its facilities..

The course hosted the Oregon Open in 1980 and has hosted a Metro League event since the 1980s.

Why It Is There

Built as part of a residential subdivision by Park City Corporation. After an interesting ownership history and protection by the member/residents, the course has a steady membership.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The shorter holes are tighter. No need to bomb it off the tee to score well on those holes (you will have more open landing areas on the longer holes). Note the slight fairway rises, particularly on the 5th, 11th, and 18th holes, as you might need an extra club (some rises are more noticeable, such as on the approach at 17). Pretty much everything is in front of you. But I will note that on the par-4, 14th hole, which is a downhill sharp dogleg left, you need to drive it to the 150 pole (or, if further back, further right) to have a clear shot to the green.

Did You Know

Members won the USGA Amateur Public Links Championship in consecutive years: Fred Haney in 1971 and Bob Allard in 1972.

Good For Them

The course holds junior programs for members and non-members including a week-long summer camp and weekly clinics. The course has family tees with a separate scorecard.  The course is the home course for Westview and Liberty High Schools.  The course hosts women’s clinics for members and non-members.  Ponds on the course are collection ponds used for irrigation.  The Rock Creek Regional Trail wanders through a part of the course. The course annually holds a number of charity events, including the Craig D. Wiesberg and Calvin P. Ranney Children’s Foundation Golf Tournament to help pay medical bills for children in need, and events supporting Beyond Victory Ministries and Glencoe Football.

Why Play This Course

A pleasant course that is well maintained, with some interesting holes and a great staff. As a club, it is affordable, and the membership is active, friendly, and cares about golf and the course (I saw more divot and ball mark repairs than I have seen on any other course – a sign of great course appreciation).

General

• • Type: 18-hole private course
  • Price: Private
  • Phone/webpage: (503)645-1115/www.rockcreekcountryclub.com
  • Address: 5100 NW Neakahnie Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97229
  • Owner: Rock Creek Country Club LLC
  • Designer: Probably William Sander, but see discussion above
  • Pros: Craig Crandall (PGA), Shelly Liddick (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range off grass and mats (note, the driving range is now members only); 40-yard pitching area with bunkers and practice green; putting green
  • Pro Shop: Reasonably well stocked with clothing and equipment
  • Food: The Greene Bar, a full-service restaurant open to the public, is near the pro shop and open for lunch and early dinner
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: Yardage on most sprinklers; 150 in-ground markers and post; cart path has 250, 200, 150, and 100 markers; color on top of 150 posts indicate pin position (on the 3 pars, the color mark is on the tee)
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: Pretty flat and compact, a very nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • Open throughout the year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Blue	6700	72	72.4	131
White	6297	72	70.5/76.5	129/135
Red	5441	72	71.5	124

General Course Description

As you drive north on I-5, with the Woodburn Premium Outlets on your left, you catch a glimpse of a golf course to the right. The course is the private, 18-hole Woodburn Estates & Golf. You only hear the freeway on the front side (and it is not too bad) and even though you cross under Highway 214 on the back side, the noise from that highway does not affect the course. The course is short, mainly because the par 5s are very short (but some have sharp turns) and several par 4s are short. There are few traps and no water. The primary defense is the greens: small, elevated and rounded on the front, and small but multitiered on the back. The secondary defense is the wide variety of mature trees that line and/or hang over the fairways on most holes (most are limbed-up, so you can recover, but maybe not as well as you would like). Although short, the greens, trees, and turns will boost your score if you take the course for granted. Very well maintained, with fairways that are uniform in cut and grass, and greens that are consistent and reasonably fast, but still hold well (most are tilted toward the approach). As it is part of a development, houses (or the freeway) line almost every hole behind the trees. There are some distances between holes, but the course is flat and an easy walk.

Course History

The first 9 opened in 1961, and the second 9 opened in 1965. The front 9 was placed next to the freeway to provide a noise buffer for the homes. The course originally opened as “Senior Estates Golf Club,” but has gone through a variety of name changes over the years, adding or subtracting the words “The,” “Woodburn,” “Country,” and “Senior.”

Why It Is There

Built as part of the Senior Estates housing development by mostly Portland businessmen, including George F. Brice, Jr., Leo Rush, D.A. Clark, and George Marshall. The development was built as an affordable community with upscale amenities. When it opened, it was said to be the state’s only planned retirement community with individually owned homes. The development was so successful that it doubled in size in 1964-65, going from about 1,500 houses to over 2,500.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Your approach shots need to be slightly different on the two sides. On the front, the greens are mostly small and mounded, with drop-offs on the sides. Putting your ball in the center of the green is a great way to go. On the back, the greens are mostly tiered, some severely. You should try to get the approach shot to the correct tier. And the trees and turns require a bit of thought. On the 4th hole, a short par 4 with a dogleg right at about 75 yards, don’t drive the ball too far as there is a willow that guards the left side of the green. On the par-4, 7th hole, a tree hangs over the fairway at the turn about 105 yards from the green. Best to play up the left side to have a clear shot. On the short par-5, 17th hole, the dogleg comes on the drive. You can either hit straight away about 130 yards, or cut the corner by going over the pine (but if you hit it too far, you can still go through the fairway). And on the 4-par 18th fairway, there is a grass ditch that crosses the fairway at about 200 yards that should be avoided if you want to get on in two.

Did You Know

The course has had an interesting group of pros: Ralph Coleman was the head coach of the Oregon State baseball team before becoming the pro in the 1960s; Jim White was the pro for many years and his daughter, Jerilyn White, was one of the best junior golfers in the state and a star at University of Oregon; Chuck Siver was the original pro at the OGA course (around the corner); and the current pro, Jason Hoth, came from Torrey Pines in Southern California.

Good For Them

The course hosts an Erling Jacobsen Jr. event for juniors. It also anually hosts the Tulip Tee Off, providing college scholarships to Woodburn High School golfers, and the End of Watch Golf Memorial Tournament to benefit the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation.

Why Play This Course

It is a well-maintained course that is fun for multiple skill levels (if you are a big hitter you can try to reach the 5 pars in two and several 4 pars in one — just don’t break any windows). In addition, the staff is very accommodating and the members seem like a good group of folks.

General

• Type: 18-hole private course
• Price: Private
• Phone/webpage: (503)981-0189/http://woodburnestatesgolf.com/
• Address: 1776 Country Club Road, Woodburn, Oregon 97071
• Owner: Senior Estates Golf and Country Club
• Designer: William Graham
• Pros: Jason Hoth (PGA)
• Practice Facilities: Limited flight driving range off mats and two net stations; practice pitching and sand area; two putting greens
• Pro Shop: Some equipment and clothing
• Food: Neighboring Country Cottage is a full-service restuarant (but only wine and beer) open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
• Yardage Markers:  150 poles; 100 sticks (generally in the fairway, but can be on the sides); in-ground 150 and 100 stones; pins color-coded for position
• Clothing: Proper golf attire requested
• Walkable: Short and pretty flat, but some distances between holes; overall, a nice walk
• Spikes: Soft only
• Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and airhoses
• Rentals: All
• Open all year and plays well in winter

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
White	5398	72	66.4/70.9	105/120
Gold	5036	72	64.1/69	102/116
Red	4064	74	60.8/63.3	96/98

General Course Description

Along Highway 99 just north of Eugene is the massive Fiddler’s Green retail store. Behind the store is this public 18-hole par-3 Fiddler’s Green Golf Course. The combination is the Fiddler’s Green Golf Center, which contains the “largest on-course golf pro shop in America.” The flat and generally open course is both pastoral (there are lots of birds and several holes go next to a sheep ranch) and urban (you hear the highway and on occasion a plane will fly over on its approach to the Eugene Airport).  Hole lengths are between 70 and 202 yards, and several have water or trees in play. The primary defense is the greens, which are very small (and a little bumpy), but hold well. The fairways are a bit shaggy, but generally uniform, and there is differentiation between fairway and rough. Staff is very friendly, and most folks are out on the course to have fun. Reservations not taken (but if you are traveling there call ahead to make sure there is no event temporarily closing the course).  Short, flat, and compact, it is a very easy walk.

Course History

Opened in 1964 as the “Country Place.” The Whalen family bought the course in 1976, changed the name, and greatly expanded the retail space.

Why It Is There

Ben and Virginia Simpson wanted to build an easy-to-play course for the whole family. The Whalens have kept the course as part of a greater golf enterprise.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Because of the variety of lengths of the holes, you need to take all clubs needed for yardage between 0 to 202 yards. It is not a typical wedge-and-putter 3-par course.

Did You Know

When the Whalen family purchased the course, they helped to form an Industral Golf League from the multiple manufacturing plants and resource yards in the area. Matches would then be held on the course.  And before the rise of mail-order and web-order, golfing celebrities (like Ernest Borgnine and Andy Williams) would come in to buy the latest golf gadget.

Good For Them

The ponds on the course collect rain water that is then used for irrigation. It is a host course for The First Tee. The course hosts tournaments for high school JV squads.

Why Play This Course

If you are learning the game, you can hit a few on the driving range and then apply what you learned on the course. If you are an experienced golfer, the variety of lengths of the holes make it a great place to hone your accuracy at a very reasonable price.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public 3-par course
  • Price: $
  • Phone/webpage: (541)689-8464/www.fiddlersgreen.com
  • Address: 91292 Highway 99N, Eugene Oregon 97402
  • Owner: French Creek Properties, LLC
  • Designer: John Zoller
  • Pros: Doug DeChateau (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on mats, putting green (where short pitching is allowed)
  • Pro Shop: A massive amount of clothing, equipment, and all things golf related
  • Food: A cafe serves sandwiches, burgers, and the like, and has beer and wine
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and a port-a-potty is on the course
  • Yardage Markers: None (except on the tee box); the different colored flags indicate what side you are on
  • Clothing: Be legal
  • Walkable: Compact, flat, and short –  an easy walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning:  Brush and air hose
  • Rentals: Clubs and pull carts
  • Open all year

	Yards	Par
	2313	54