Blog

General Course Description

Mountain View Golf Club is an interesting, 18-hole public course to the southeast of Portland, just south of Boring. The course has beautiful old trees and some great views of Mt. Hood. Although a bit short, Mountain View Golf Club has enough turns, trees, and water to make you pay attention. The front side is pretty flat with some rolling fairways, and although there are a lot of trees, you generally can recover. The back side is pretty hilly (starting with the 180-foot drop on number 12) and a bit narrower. Mountain View is a nicely maintained course with good, consistent greens. The course is walkable, but a bit of a workout.

Course History

Jack Waltmire designed and built the course, the front 9 in 1964 and the back side in 1966.

Why It Is There

Jack Waltmire had some land and wanted to build a course. The course now has a pretty loyal following.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

There are so many turns on the course, you may want to play it twice to get a good feel for it.  On Hole 2, the hard dogleg right is not that far from the tee (before the row of short trees) and there is a ditch that runs across the fairway right after the turn. Holes 14 and 15 have greens with significant back to front slopes (so leave it a little short). And on the 15th hole, a short par 5, with an up-hill, 90 degree dogleg right after the creek that runs through the fairway, if you can fly the creek that’s great, but you don’t have to; there is generally a shot that can cut the bend if you leave it short of the creek.

Did You Know

The par-3 12th hole was named in 2017 as one of the most interesting holes in Oregon by the OGA (because there is a 180-yard drop).

Good For Them

The course conducts two three-day junior camps in the summer and is the practice course for Sandy High School. The course hosts events allowing women to play for half price. Annually, the course hosts a winter “Santa Scramble” tournament to collect toys for local families.

Why Play This Course

An interesting course that is nicely maintained with beautiful trees and views for a fair price.

General

• Type: 18-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Owner: Mt View Golf Club, LLC
• Phone/webpage: (503)663-4869/www.mtviewgolfclub.com
• Address: 27195 SE Kelso Road, Boring, Oregon 97009
• Owner: Mt. View Golf Club, LLC
• Designer: Jack Waltmire
• Pros: Robert Fernandez
• Practice Facilities: Driving range with low compression balls on mats and practice green
• Pro Shop: Good-sized with clothing and equipment
• Food: A full-service restaurant, the Leaderboard, is upstairs in the clubhouse open for lunch and dinner and is a destination dining experience in the area (with a great view of Mt. Hood)
• Bathrooms: In clubhouse there are improved restrooms and showers (bring your own towel). The course has an improved (but a bit beaten) bathroom that you pass on both nines
• Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100 stones in fairway (but sometimes difficult to find) as well as in the gravel cart path; pins are color-coded for location
• Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
• Walkable: Hilly on the backside, a bit of a workout
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
• Rentals: All
• Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Blue	6018	71	69.3	121
White	5543	71	66.3/72.1	115/120
Red	5197	71	69.4	118

General Course Description

Wildwood Golf Course is a rolling, 18-hole public course to the west of Portland. Wildwood Golf Course has a rural feel, but conditions have improved greatly over the past decade. Even though the course is somewhat short and there are some holes that are a bit “different,” the course has challenges throughout (mostly in the form of trees, water, and hills) and some great views of Mt. Hood. Overall, the fairways and greens are well maintained. The course is a bit hilly in spots, but it is generally walkable.

Course History

A 9-hole course was opened on the property in 1928 and was operated until 1971, when it closed and sat idle for several years. William O’Meara then purchased it, modified the existing 9, and reopened it in 1990. The back was added in 1995.

Why It Is There

Not sure why the original course was located there in 1928 (although based on advertisements of the time, the original owners had some land and thought they could provide an alternative to the in-city Portland courses). Mr. O’Meara wanted to preserve the course and decided to upgrade it to an 18-hole course.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the 7th hole, there is a pond on the right of the driving area and a creek that crosses the fairway just beyond the 200-yard marker. On the 11th hole, there is a pond about 10 yards past the 100-yard marker (where the fairway also ends and the green is 90 degrees to the right).

Did You Know

After the course closed in 1971, it came very close to becoming the local garbage dump (thank you, Mr. O’Meara for saving the course).

Good For Them

The creek on the front 9 feeds into Multnomah Channel and is monitored for water quality and fish. Course is home course for both Scappoose and St. Helen High Schools. Participant in Youth on Course program.

Why Play This Course

An interesting course that is an alternative to the Portland courses, with a laid back atmosphere and a patio where you can have a beverage while overlooking the course and gazing at Mt. Hood.

General

• Type: 18-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/webpage: (503)621-3402/www.golfingwildwood.com
• Address: 2188 NW St. Helens Road, Portland, Oregon 97231
• Owner: Wildwood Golf Course, Inc.
• Designer: William O’Meara
• Pros: Kyle Hanke
• Practice Facilities: Driving range on mats and practice green
• Pro Shop: Minimal; some clothes, balls, and tees
• Food:  The Bar is a full-service restaurant in the remodeled clubhouse with a great patio overlooking the course with a view of Mt. Hood
• Bathrooms: In clubhouse, port-a-potties on course
• Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100 poles
• Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
• Walkable: Very
• Spikes: Soft only
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brush
• Rentals: All
• Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	5832	72	69.1	127
White	5591	72	67.9/73.3	124/133
Orange	4991	72	69.6	125

General Course Description

Sunset Grove is a flat, open, 9-hole public course between Banks and Forest Grove, only 24 miles west of downtown Portland. Surrounded by farms, it is a pastoral course with a very rural feel. Sunset Grove works its way inside a square, but it has beautiful old trees and is maintained. The course is family owned and has a great staff. The course is very walkable.

Course History

Opened in 1961. In 1989, Dave and Joan Horesky bought the course with another family and it has been family-run ever since (the Horesky’s daughter was tending both the pro shop and the snack bar when I played).

Why It Is There

Ellis Vandehay and William Sohler wanted to build a course in a strawberry field.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Almost all the greens are mounded with the 7th green being two-tiered (higher on the right). Best to lay up in front of the lake on the 3rd hole, that you cannot see from the tee. Also, both the 8th and 9th holes are doglegs left, playing right of center will help.

Did You Know

When the course opened there was no irrigation system, so the owners and members hand watered the course (including the newly planted trees).

Good For Them

They use only organic fertilizers, and is the “home course” for the Special Education Department of Forest Grove.

Why Play This Course

Very relaxing (although play can be slow), pastoral course run by a very nice family. The course is very open and a good place to bring the family, especially for the price.

General

• Type: 9-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/webpage: (503)357-6044/www.sunsetgrovegolf.com
• Address: 41615 NW Osterman Road, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
• Owner: Sunset Grove Golf Club, Inc.
• Designer: Ellis Vandehey
• Pros: None
• Practice Facilities: Chipping area (by the highway) and practice green
• Pro Shop: Some balls and gloves
• Food: Snack bar with hot dogs, beer, and soda
• Bathrooms: In clubhouse, porta potty on course
• Yardage Markers: 150 and 100 in-ground markers
• Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
• Walkable: Very
• Spikes: No restriction
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose
• Rentals: All
• Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Blue	3001	36	34.1/37.1	109/126
Red	2715	37	32.7/35.4	102/120

General Course Description

Stone Creek Golf Club is a very attractive, 18-hole municipal public course just south of Oregon City. Stone Creek Golf Club has two very different sides: the front 9 is very open and flat, and the back 9 has tall trees with rolling hills. Traps and water exist on both sides. The course has a good variety of interesting holes (and nice views of Mt. Hood). Stone Creek is very well maintained, with great fairways and undulating greens. In addition, Stone Creek has very good practice facilities, and an excellent staff.  Forward tees provide better distances and angles. Although the back 9 is a bit hilly, the course is walkable.

Course History

Opened in 2002 and owned by Clackamas County. Originally financed through a bond measure, the financing was paid off in 2014 through a timber sale. The course now produces revenue for the County. The course hosted the OGA Tournament of Champions in 2009.

Why It Is There

Built on behalf of Clackamas County as a park that could produce revenue. The course is now very popular (and rightfully so).

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the par-4, 9th hole, you have the option of going right of all traps or between traps.  I might suggest a line to the right of the right furthest trap on the left (got that?),  This line will allow your ball to roll to very close to the green (which has a trap right). And the creek on 13, which you cannot see from the tee, is about 130 yards from the hole with the most room in the center of the fairway.

Did You Know

The course was designed to allow wildlife corridors so that it would not disrupt local wildlife movement.

Good For Them

The course has taken significant measures to be sensitive to wildlife, the environment, and water usage. In 2008, the course was named the nation’s best public course for environmental leadership by Golf Digest. The course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Course. The sprinklers can be individually programmed, aerators (not chemicals) control algae in ponds, dead trees are generally left to attract birds, bass in ponds control mosquitoes, and many bird boxes are scattered around the course.  There is a hiking/running trail that goes around the course, and the course has allowed outings with local schools to look at birds and wildlife.  The course is a Youth on Course participant and hosts PGA Junior League. The course holds two junior camps. The course is the home course for Oregon City High School.

Why Play This Course

A wide variety of interesting holes that are very well maintained. With great views, good practice facilities, and a helpful staff, this may be one of the best bargains in the Portland Metro area. The environmental and community efforts are a plus.

General

• Type: 18-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/webpage: (503)518-4653/www.stonecreekgolfclub.net
• Address: 14603 S. Stoneridge Drive, Oregon City, Oregon 97045
• Owner: Clackamas County
• Designer: Peter Jacobson/Jim Hardy
• Pros:  Doug Suse (PGA)
• Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass (Trackman available), chipping/sand trap practice area, and two practice greens
• Pro Shop: Good-sized, with a good amount of clothing and equipment
• Food: Good snack bar with sandwiches and beer and a very nice deck looking out to the 18th hole
• Bathrooms: In clubhouse, improved restrooms on the front 9, porta potties elsewhere
• Yardage Markers: 150 posts; 200, 150, and 100 on cart paths; yardage on most sprinkler heads; pins set in a zone system for location
• Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
• Walkable: Hilly on the backside, but fine overall
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
• Rentals: All
• Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Jacobsen	6840	72	73.2	133
Blue	6456	72	71.3/77.4	130/141
White	5925	72	68.9/74.4	125/134
Gold	5123	72	70	121

General Course Description

This short, hilly 18-hole public course at Chinook Winds Golf Resort rests on the north side of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast (but no ocean views). In addition to the fairway undulations (OK, hills), the course has a number of trees and ponds and creeks to make for some interesting holes. Recent years have seen improvement in drainage and fairway maintenance.  The small and mostly tilted greens roll well and consistently. Course design feels a little forced to fit into the allotted space. But the staff at Chinook Winds Golf Resort is very nice, and they have a great indoor driving range (perfect for the rainy Oregon Coast). If you walk the course, you will get a good workout.

Course History

The course was originally a 9-hole course built in 1926 by Reed Sanderson, Frank Frandsen, and BW Jones as part of a proposed resort.  The designer of the course is unknown, with one publication stating that the original design was by “the members.” By 1987, the course had 13 holes. By 1988, it was expanded to 18 (the owner at the time was Carl Mason, who was probably the designer). The course has had many names, including Devil’s Lake, Lakeside, Roosevelt GC, and now Chinook Winds.

Why It Is There

The course was part of a housing development for the north side of Devil’s Lake. It is now used by the local casino as an amenity for its guests and a benefit for the locals.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

There is a trap guarding the left side of the par 3, severely uphill,  12th green that you cannot see from the tee. There is also a trap front left of the green on the par 3 17th that you can’t see from the tee (so you can’t play the hillside and roll your ball up). I also wish I knew about the indoor driving range as well as the exercise club attached to the pro shop.

Did You Know

The building that houses the clubhouse/driving range/restaurant is a former aircraft hanger.

Good For Them

They have a buffer area around each water/marsh area where they do not apply chemicals. The adjacent gym co-hosts the Tsunami Run for the benefit of Family Promise for Lincoln County, to eliminate homelessness.

Why Play This Course

A well maintained course at a fair price with some interesting holes. Its a nice course to leave the driver in the bag and see how well you can get around (although there may be a 4 par or two where you may want to try to reach in one).

General

• Type: 18-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/website: (541)994-8442/www.chinookwindscasino.com
• Address: 324 NE 50th Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367
• Owner: Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon
• Designer: First 9 unknown; second 9 Carl Mason
• Pros: None
• Practice Facilities: Large indoor driving range and putting green
• Pro Shop: Good, with clothing and equipment
• Food: Aces Sports Bar and Grill is a full service restaurant open for lunch and dinner (and breakfast on the weekends) with a great view of the course
• Bathrooms: In clubhouse and porta potties on course
• Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100 small plastic posts in fairway (for most holes; strongly suggest a range finder), pins color-coded for location
• Clothing: Collared shirts
• Walkable:  Short but very hilly, a good workout walk
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hoses
• Rentals: All
• Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Blue	4404	65	62.1	108
White	4131	65	61.1/64.1	106/108
Red	3831	68	62.7	102

General Course Description

Eagle Point Golf Club is a very attractive, well maintained 18-hole target course north of Medford. The course is considered semi-private because blocks of tee times are reserved for members. Eagle Point Golf Club has a bit of everything with trees, traps, water, bends, and hills. It has very good facilities and a great staff. It is well past its troubled economic history and now is well maintained and lives up to its occasional Golf Digest ranking as one of the best courses in Oregon. Forward tees provide shorter distances and better angles. The course is easily walkable (save one long, uphill gap between the 15th green and 16th tee).

Course History

Built in 1996. Once a hay-growing operation, Gregg Adams and Dan Bunn contacted Robert Trent Jones, Jr., about designing and constructing a golf course as part of a housing development. With the recession, the development filed for Chapter 11 and the development (with the course) was transferred to an entity of the lender. Bob Hyer, through his company, Hyer Golf, LLC, purchased the development and, being a well-heeled avid golfer, provided the funds to maintain and improve the course. Hotel lodgings were added near the range and the 9th hole. In 2021, ownership was transferred to EPPL Golf, LLC, part of the Parks Legacy Project, helping public and private sectors find ways to preserve open space. The course hosted the OGA Tournament of Champions in 1997 and Oregon Open in 2001.

Why It Is There

Built as part of a large housing development.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Hole 6 is the number 1 handicap hole (because of the persistent water and numerous traps, as well as length). On the approach shot the trap on the left is well before the green, and behind the trap the fairway gently goes down to the hole (so it’s a nice way to approach). In addition, the green on Hole 11 slopes away from the fairway and has a hog’s back, taking balls to the right on the front and to the left in the back.

Did You Know

The totem pole between the second green and third tee was given to Mr. Jones as a gift from a golf course owner in British Columbia, which Mr. Jones placed on a focal point of the course. The pole was carved by George Gull, Sr., and has five elements: eagle (representing intellect and resourcefulness), wolf (denoting help people that are sick or in need), raven (a mercurial trickster), beaver (symbolizing creativity and determination), and salmon (symbolizing instinct and persistence).

Good For Them

When the local school stopped funding the golf teams, the course and its members donated the course and their time to allow the teams to practice and to receive instruction. The course is the practice course for Crater Lake and Eagle Point High Schools.

Why Play This Course

If you are in Medford, this is a “must-play” course. A well- maintained Robert Trent Jones, Jr., course with very good amenities and a really nice staff. There are also more “freebies” than most courses (tees, markers, ball mark repair, yardage book). All for a pretty good price.

General

• • Type: 18 hole public course
  • Price: $$$ (cart included)
  • Phone/webpage: (541)826-8225/www.resortasteaglepoint.com
  • Address: 100 Eagle Point Drive, Eagle Point, Oregon 97524
  • Owner: EPPL Golf, LLC
  • Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
  • Pros: Logan Genaw, Steven Borror (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range, chipping area with sand, and practice green
  • Pro Shop: Good-sized, with clothing and equipment
  • Food: Full-service restaurant, Talon Grill, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but not on all days: check for times
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 posts, 200, 150, and 100 on cart paths, yardage on most sprinkler heads, pins color coded for location
  • Clothing: Collared shirts
  • Walkable: A little hilly, but fine
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
  • Rentals: Carts, pull carts, and clubs
  • Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	7099	72	74.2	137
Gold	6576	72	71.9	130
Grey	6052	72	69.4/75.1	123/138
Green	5071	72	69.5	118

General Course Description

Quail Point Golf Club is an attractive 9-hole public course in Medford.  Although a bit short (two shortish par 4s and one par 5), Quail Point Golf Course has enough trees, traps and water to make it interesting and enjoyable. The course is well maintained and the staff accommodating. The course is a little hilly, but walkable.  If you have the time, the putt-putt course is worth a round.

Course History

Built in 1993 and designed by John Fought.

Why It Is There

Built for the benefit of the adjacent retirement community.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Hole 1 has a creek about 150 yards in front of the green. The fairway goes sharply downhill about 20 yards before the creek. In addition, Hole 5 has almost a U-turn from the 150 pole to the green. The pole is 150 yards to the green as the crow flies, not following the fairway.

Did You Know

Hole 7 was a 4 par, but so many balls were being hooked onto I-5 that the owners shortened it to a 3 par, and made the tee shot go away from the freeway.

Good For Them

They course has two sets of “family course” tees. The course hosts a summer Junior Golf Camp and a low-cost junior development card.

Why Play This Course

Nice add-on to a golf day after playing its sister course, Centennial, or if you are in the area with the family or with a few hours and your clubs in the back of the car. With the “family course” tees, all ages can play. And the putt-putt course may be a “must play” for kids.

General

• Type 9-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/webpage: (541)857-7000/www.quailpointgolf.com
• Address: 1200 Mira Mar Avenue, Medford, Oregon 97504
• Owner: Rogue Valley Manor
• Designer: John Fought
• Pros: Brian Sackett (PGA), Robert Burkett
• Practice Facilities: Net practice hitting area, chipping area, practice green, and a very nice putting course
• Pro Shop: Some clothing and equipment
• Food: Snack bar with hot dogs, chips, sodas, and beer inside clubhouse
• Bathrooms: In clubhouse and one porta potty on course
• Yardage Markers: 150 posts, 100 rocks, 150 on cart paths, pins color-coded for location (I was told yardage is also on the sprinkler heads, but I did not see any yardage)
• Clothing: Collared shirts
• Walkable: A little hilly, but compact and walkable
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Brushes
• Rentals: All
• Open year-round

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Blue	3034	34	34.1	130
White	2901	34	33.4/36.2	128/129
Gold	2612	34	31.7/34.2	116/119
Red	2437	34	33.5	118

General Course Description

Chehalem Glenn Golf Club is an attractive and well-maintained public 18-hole course just east of Newberg. Chehalem Glenn Golf Club has an interesting variety of holes with trees, hills (and valleys), and water. Revisions to holes 9, 12, and 17 have taken the edge off the course and made it a faster play. Forward tees help with distances and angles. Walkable, but a good workout.

Course History

Opened in 2005, with a redesign of holes 9, 12, and 17 occurring in 2014.

Why It Is There

In 1995, a local developer donated to the Chehalem Park and Recreation District the land that would become the front 9. The District then purchased the land that would become the back 9.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Hole 6 has a very small landing area, where hidden traps are on the left of the fairway and there is a drop off to the right on the right side of the fairway. Laying up to the 150 pole is not a bad option. Same thought for the 11th hole, a seemingly short par 4, that is very narrow with trouble all around. Even though it is a steep uphill from the environmentally sensitive area you have the clear on your drive, driving to just beyond the 150 pole may be the way to go.

Did You Know

When it opened, the course had the highest course rating (154) in the state.

Good For Them

The course uses reclaimed water for irrigation. In the environmentally sensitive zones there is a lot of hand weeding and when pesticides are used, there is monitoring of its effect on non-targeted plants.  The course hosts junior camps, participates in PGA Junior League, and has reduced rates for students (with free club rental), The course is the home course for Newberg, Sherwood, and CS Lewis High Schools, as well as George Fox College (and its very good women’s team). In addition, the course works with local high school horticultural classes on maintenance and improvements.

Why Play This Course

Good course, especially for the price, with a great practice area. The friendly attitude of the staff, the great practice facilities, and environmental efforts are pluses.

General

• Type: 18-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/webpage: (503)538-5800/www.chehalemglenn.com
• Address: 4501 E. Fernwood Road, Newberg, Oregon 97132
• Owner: Chehalem Park and Recreation District
• Designer: William G. Robinson
• Pros: Kellan Sasken (PGA)
• Practice Facilities: Driving range, chipping area, sand practice area, and two practice greens; there is also a nine-hole putting course (for an extra charge)
• Pro Shop: Moderate, with some clothing and equipment
• Food: Snack bar with hot dogs, some sandwiches, and beer
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse, porta potties on the course
• Yardage Markers: 150 posts; 250, 200, 150, and 100 in ground; yardage on most sprinkler heads; pins set in a zone system for location
• Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
• Walkable: Hilly, particularly through 15; so walkable, but a bit of a workout
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: Hose and brushes
• Rentals: All
• Open all year

	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Black	6744	72	73.4	140
Blue	6350	72	71.1	137
White	5883	72	69.2/75.7	133/140
Green	5312	72	66.6/72.2	126/133
Red	5028	72	70.6	127
Silver	4276	72	65.7	119