Christmas Valley Golf Course

General Course Description

This 9-hole public course is probably the most isolated course in Oregon (103 miles from Bend, 116 miles from Lakeview). The course is a step above a pasture course. The course is long with generally narrow fairways that are uniform in surface and grass, and with a good difference between fairways and rough. The course has a simple design where strategically placed mounds and encroachment of desert sage make the holes interesting. There are few trees, but the abundant sage will easily consume your ball. Greens are slow and spotty (some having wires with aluminum foil to keep the geese off), but it is a surprisingly good course in a very remote area. No clubhouse; place your green fees in a box and take a yellow wrist band as proof of payment. The course is flat and very walkable.

Course History

Built in 1962.

Why It Is There

Built as part of the development of Christmas Valley by M. Penn Phillips.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The course has a “How To Play” guide. If it is not in the box where you leave your money, knock on the door of the North Lake Park and Recreation District Office just off the practice green and ask for one. The office, however, has very limited hours.

Did You Know

From 1963 to 1966, a Pro Am was held on the course where pros from all over the Northwest played.

Good For Them

Juniors under 17 play free with an adult, and the local high school holds classes on how to play.

Why Play This Course

If you want to be the only person on a course, this is the most likely course to fill that desire. It is probably the most isolated course in the state and, given its location, it is a surprisingly elegant course.

General

• Type: 9-hole public course
• Price: $$
• Phone/webpage: (541)576-2216/www.cvparkandrec.org/facilities-properties/golf-course
• Owner: North Lake Park and Recreation District
• Address: 57334 Christmas Tree Road, Christmas Valley, Oregon 97641
• Designer: Joe Ward
• Pros: None
• Practice Facilities: Practice green
• Pro Shop: None
• Food: None
• Bathrooms: Porta potties on first hole and on the course
• Yardage Markers: 250 (on par 5s), 200, 150, and 100 stakes on side of fairways; 150 poles in middle of the fairway; no pin-placement information
• Clothing: Nothing illegal
• Walkable: Very
• Spikes: No restriction
• Shoe Cleaning: None
• Rental: Pull carts and some clubs are available for free by the first tee
• They try to be open year-round