Chinook Winds Golf Resort

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