Emerald Valley Golf Club

General Course Description

Emerald Valley Golf Club is an 18-hole public course south of Eugene that has an old-style feeling with very beautiful and mature trees. It is the home course of the University of Oregon. Emerald Valley Golf Club has well maintained fairways and very good greens — fast but true. Trees, traps, bends, and fairway undulations provide the main obstacles, but there are a few water spots as well. Very good practice facilities and a nice staff. Forward tees provide shorter distances and improved angles. A nice place to play and a nice walk.

Course History

The first nine was completed in 1967; and the second nine in 1968.  The present owner (a former member of the University of Oregon golf team  and winner of several OGA events), purchased the course in 2002. The Pacific Northwest Amateur and US Open qualifiers have since been played here.

Why It Is There

Originally a dairy farm, the property was converted to a course by Eugene Russell, James Russell, and Marv Ruby. Mazana Lumber Co. bought the course and built a resort around it, but after bankruptcy and change of ownership, the course is now separate from the surrounding development. The present owner has made many improvements (and Scott Larsen won OGA’s Co-Superintendent of the Year in 2014). The course now has a strong following and is the home course for the University of Oregon. In the Winter of 2022, the University of Oregon is expecting to commence construction on a 6,000 sq. ft. practice facility called “The Jake” after Peter and Jan Jacobsen. It is hoped that the facility will be completed by the Fall of 2023.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Greens are quick but true, generally sloping back to front. Best to be in front of the pin. The 4th hole is a par 4 dogleg left. Trees come in on the right on the approach shot, so best to be middle or left of the turn.

Did You Know

Often hosts the area Drive, Chip, and Putt competition.

Good For Them

Uses reclaimed water. Hosts PGA Jr. League. Is the home course for South Eugene, Sheldon, Churchill, and Criswell High Schools. Annually hosts a tournament to benefit the Oregon Athletic Foundation.

Why Play This Course

Very attractive, well-conditioned course with good practice facilities. For the price, it is worth it.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$$ (but not by much)
  • Phone/webpage: (541)895-2174/www.emeraldvalleygolf.com
  • Address:  83301 Dale Kuni Road, Creswell, Oregon 97426
  • Owner: Pliska Golf, Inc. (owned by Jim Pliska)
  • Designer: Bob E. Bullock; Dan Hixon (2002 remodel)
  • Pros: Laine Wortman (PGA), Scott Krieger (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass and mats; pitching and sand areas; practice green (U of O has a separate practice area)
  • Pro Shop: Good-sized, with clothing and equipment
  • Food: Full-service restaurant (check for hours)
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 poles; 200 and 100 in-ground markers; sporadic additional in-ground yardage markers; pin position reflected by color on 150 posts (or, on 3-pars, the color on the yardage signs)
  • Clothing: Be dressed
  • Walkable: Very
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year