Echo Hills Golf Course

General Course Description

This 9-hole (dual tees provide an 18-hole option) public course is in the historic town of Echo, about 20 miles east of Pendleton. The Echo Hills Golf Course is bordered on two sides by the town and on the other sides by farmland. It is an attractive, rolling course that is well maintained with well-mowed and pretty uniform fairways, and consistent greens that hold well. Slopes and trees are the main issues here. Although short, the elevation changes make the course play longer. Trees line every hole, but they are well spaced and limbed up, so you can recover from most spots. The routing of the holes is not straightforward, so check the map on the card between holes. A very nice staff and friendly regulars. Forward tees do provide better angles and shorter distances. Although the course is not long and is compact, it is good exercise because of the hills.

Course History

Contrary to some information, this is the first course for the City and it opened in 1965. The clubhouse was built in 1926 for use at the former gunclub and was then moved to the course.

Why It Is There

In 1960, the Mayor of Echo, C.H. “Brick” Esselstyn, decided that the City needed a course. He assembled local businessmen and as a group, they designed and built the course. It now has a solid following.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The majority of the fairways run left to right or right to left. Note the slope of the fairway before teeing off.  An example is the long, downhill, par-4 6th hole, which at first is pretty flat, then starts to run a little left to right, and at about 180 yards from the green, runs hard left to right.

Did You Know

This course is a labor of love for the Sperr family. Randy Sperr is the course manager (and has been for forty-some-odd years). His late wife, Sue, used to tend to the flowers and the pro shop (the City Rose Garden is located on the course and named after her). And their son, Jason, was considered one of the best high school golfers in the state in the early 2000s.

Good For Them

The course hosts summer golf camps put on by Hermiston Parks and Recreation. They hold late afternoon clinics for beginning women golfers. They host a tournament to benefit Special Olympics and the Echo Quarterback Shootout to benefit kids in need in Echo and the neighboring town of Stanfield.

Why Play This Course

A well-maintained course that although short, is made challenging by the slopes. An attractive place with great people. If you are traveling down I-84 in the area, it’s a nice detour at a good price.

General

• • Type: 9-hole public course
  • Price: $$ (but barely)
  • Phone/webpage: (541)376-8244/www.echo-oregon.com/golf
  • Address: 400 Golf Course Road, Echo, Oregon 97826
  • Owner: City of Echo
  • Designer: Local golfers
  • Pros: Randy Sperr
  • Practice Facilities: Two putting greens
  • Pro Shop: Minimal with some clothing and equipment
  • Food: Hot dogs, snacks, beer, and soda
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and port-a-potty on course
  • Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100 posts on the sides of the fairway
  • Clothing: T-shirt and jeans OK
  • Walkable: Short and compact but rolling, a bit of an effort to walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year (but can experience snow and ice)