Gearhart Golf Links

General Course Description

Gearhart Golf Links, the oldest continuously operating golf course west of the Mississippi, has recently undergone (and is still undergoing) a remarkable facelift and is well worth a visit. Located just south of Astoria, Gearhart Golf Links is an 18-hole public course that is attractive and well maintained.  A bit on the short side (6551 from the tips, or “Stones”), the manicured rolling fairways and bunkers are the main concerns (unless the weather is up, in which case, that is the main concern).  A recent remodel (which included removal of many trees) has returned the course to a classic links course. Although a block from the ocean, you never see the water (but you feel the wind and moisture). Great history (shown both in the pro shop and in the Gearhart Hotel operated by McMenamins). Great staff. Forward tees provide improved angles and distances. A very nice walk.

Course History

There is a little dispute about the first origins of the course, either that a group of locals, transported from Scotland, stuck three tin cans in the dunes as cups and started to play, or that Robert Livingstone took a lawnmower to his pasture to level the grass and put tin cans in the ground to make six holes. There seems to be no dispute that the first 9 holes opened in 1892, designed by the “founders” on land that was owned by Founders Corporation. The second 9 was completed by 1910, designed by George Eddy and Jack Astbury, and built by the Gearhart Park Company, who owned and operated the adjacent hotel (which burned down in 1914 and reopened in 1923). In 1926, the course was sold to Gearhart Golf Links Company, who remodled the course using the Junors (John, Donald, and George) as architects (one source has Chandler Egan also advising). Since then, the course has been sold numerous times and remodeled several times most notably in the 1950s by William Wilcox, who lengthened holes and added traps and the dreaded Scotch broom, and in the 1990s, when William Robinson did a remodel of the course (including adding a bunker on 17 that mimicked the Road Hole Bunker in St. Andrews and transplanting some 1,700 beach grass plants from Ocean Dunes Golf Course). In 2010, the present owner, a company formed and led by Tim Boyle (CEO of Columbia Sportswear), bought the course. The new owner made substantial improvements and a significant remodel was performed led by John Strawn (with input from Jim Urbina and David Jacobsen). The improvements included lengthening the course, removing 400 trees, removing significant portions of the cart path, and planting fescue (and getting rid of the Road Hole Bunker on 17 and most of the Scotch broom). The course hosted the Oregon Amateur in 1917, the Oregon Open in 1941, and the Oregon Coast Tournament from 1910 to 1950 (except for a few years when it was played at Astoria CC).

Why It Is There

Dedicated golfers and former Scots on the Oregon Coast wanted a place to play. It matured as an amenity to the adjacent hotel, then as a mecca for (mostly Oregon) golfers, and now as a destination course for its history and quality.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

It may be the “longest shortest course in Oregon” (a quote from pro Zdravko Barbic). Because of the constant moisture in the air and ever-present wind (even when it feels calm), you would be well served by adding 10 yards to all shots even on seemingly calm days. On the 5th hole, a short par 4, you tee off from an elevated tee box. The downward sloping fairway rolls out to a pond that you cannot see from the back tees, which starts about 70 yards from the center of the green on the left side and then expands to cover about two-thirds of the fairway (so you may not want to bomb it). On the 6th hole, a par 4, at about 125 yards from the green the fairway slopes up and there are traps on either side of the slope. There is a large trap in the front right of the green. If you cannot clear the rise (and traps), favor the right side on your drive to have a better shot into the green.

Did You Know

The extensive history of the course provides for many an interesting story (sheep were used to mow the grass, Chandler Egan set a course record the first time he played it). The course did hold a “midnight golf tournament” in 1914 and 1915 where cars lined the course and turned their lights on. Between 1959 and 1968, the course hosted a “Sittin’ Seagulls” tournament for fun, where most players dressed in costume. This tournament has been revived by the new owner.

Good For Them

Reduced rates for juniors (under 13 play for free with an adult). Participant of Youth on Course and an Evans Scholarship course. Ponds on the course are water collection areas and sole source for irrigation. Self-contained wash station for all equipment (to assure no run-off of chemicals). Spot weed spray only. Annually the course holds a tournament to benefit local firemen and a 50/50 tournament, where 50 percent of proceeds go to a local charity (as selected by McMenamins).

Why Play This Course

An attractive and well maintained course with a good array of interesting holes. The history of the course, and the displays of history in the pro shop as well as the Gearhart Hotel, make this a destination spot. When you do come to play, leave enough time to look at the awards in the pro shop and the displays in the hotel (spread across several floors).

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$$ (reduced rates in winter)
  • Phone/webpage: (503)738-3538/www.gearhartgolflinks.com
  • Address: 1157 N. Marion Ave., Gearhart, Oregon 97138
  • Owner: Gearhart Golf Links, LLC
  • Designer: Founders (original 9); George Eddy and Jack Astbury (additional 9); John, Donald, and George Junor (remodel); William Wilcox (remodel); William Robinson (remodel); John Strawn (remodel)
  • Pros: Jason Bangild (GM; PGA), Zdravko Barbic (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Chipping area and practice green; ia 22,000 sq.ft. putting area called “The Clam Bed” is off the first green (with putters and balls, abnd a small bar); an indoor virtual golf simulator
  • Pro Shop: Good sized with mostly clothing and some equipment
  • Food: Gearhart Hotel has a good full-service restaurant and bar in the same building as the pro shop
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 poles; 150 in-ground markers; periodic in-ground yardage markers; color around 150 posts provide pin-position information
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire preferred (no tank tops), but denim in winter is OK
  • Walkable: Very
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brush
  • Rentals: All (including two grades of clubs)
  • Open all year and drains very well in winter