Country View Golf Course

General Course Description

Country View Golf Course is a 9-hole public course just off of Highway 26 between Ontario and Vale. Country View Golf Course may initially seem as a typical pasture course, but it’s not. The course is well maintained, and the holes have an interesting design being worked into the natural contours of the land with some carries over the sage desert or small canyons. The couse is supported by many volunteers. It is laid back (there can be a fivesome) and has a nice staff. With four sets of tees, it can accommodate a variety of skill levels. Country View Golf Course is hilly (and there is a good, long uphill between the 3rd and 4th holes) but it is walkable.

Course History

Opened in 1999. A new irrigation system was installed in 2022-23.

Why It Is There

Scott McKinney wanted to build a course, so he designed it and his family built it on an alfalfa field. With the closing of the municipal course in Ontario, it is the only Oregon course for a long way in any direction.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

How to get there. There is no sign on Highway 26. Once you turn onto Onion Avenue, you will start seeing signs. The 5th hole is a very interesting par 5. With a good drive, your second shot is blind. Beyond the 150-yard marker, the fairway significantly narrows, shifts to the right then left, and severely slants from right to left and a deep canyon. It may be best to lay up just past the 150 marker to have a shot at the green that sits on a ridge with steep downhills and waste areas in front, left, and back.

Did You Know

There is an annual tournament for Howard Towell where all the holes are turned into par 3s. Mr. Towell was a long-time resident and golfer who had his last hole-in-one when he was 93.

Good For Them

Kids under 12 play free.  The course hosts a number of charity events including the John Webb Memorial Golf Tournament supporting Ontario High School It is the home course for Ontario, Nyssa, and Vale High Schools.

Why Play This Course

If you are in the area, it is worth a visit as an interesting, inexpensive course to play (and very family friendly). Otherwise, play it as the most southeast course in the state.

General

• Type: 9-hole public course
• Price: $$ (barely)
• Phone/webpage: (541)881-1171/ no website
• Address:  3780 Arabian Drive, Ontario, Oregon 97914
• Owner: Lavern McKinney and Shirley McKinney
• Designer: Scott McKinney
• Pros: None
• Practice Facilities: Driving range off grass and practice green
• Pro Shop: Minimal with some shirts, balls, and tees
• Food: Pizza, hot dogs, snacks, soda, winr, and beer
• Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and porta potty on course
• Yardage Markers: 150 poles; pins color-coded for position
• Clothing: Be dressed
• Walkable: Hilly, but walkable
• Spikes: Soft
• Shoe Cleaning: None
• Rentals:  All
• Generally open year-round