Harbor Links Golf Course

General Course Description

Harbor Links Golf Course is an 18-hole public course to the northwest of Klamath Falls (a town with a surprising number of good 18-hole courses). Built between the Jeld-Wen plant, Upper Klamath Lake, and the Harbor Isle subdivision, Harbor Links Golf Course has several different characteristics.  Designed by the course’s original pro and manager, the course is a bit short but has very interesting holes and lots of water in the form of lakes and creeks (especially on the back 9). Fairways are mixed, but maintained. Greens are generally raised and good. The course hosts a wide variety of water fowl (not surprising, as the area is one of Oregon’s best birding spots).  Forward tees provide the benefits of shorter distances and improved angles. A flat, compact course that is an easy walk.

Course History

First nine opened in 1986 and the second in 1990. Built on the site of a former logging mill and log deck (this is the reason for the multitude of small depressions around the course, more in the rough than on the fairways).

Why It Is There

Built by Jeld-Wen as part of the Harbor Isle multi-use development.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

There are several risk-reward holes, and a few you may need to play twice to figure out. You should also check for OB stakes (and review the score card for OB info), as you may be thinking about cutting a corner right over them. An example is the 3rd hole, a short par-5, severe dogleg right. As you stand on the tee, you see trees and water long and trees up the right. You want to be close to trees in front (about 250 from green). There, the fairway turns 90 degrees right and you will have to hit your next shot over traps early covering the left half of the fairway with a tree behind. Note the OB on the right side of the driving area if you are thinking of cutting the corner. And also note that the strong afternoon wind off the lake can seriously change the character of the course.

Did You Know

The 3-par 8th hole may have the only island green in the state.

Good For Them

They hold monthly clinics for women. Three times a year, they hold monthly junior camps for ages 6 to 13, boys and girls.  The course is the home course for Klamath Union High School. The course annually holds the Ted Denham Golf Tournament (named for a PGA professional who for over 50 years won many of the Northwest Tournaments), which provides scholarships for golf camps. In the Spring, Special Olympians play for free on Wednesdays.  Waste water from the neighboring Jeld-Wen plant is treated by the course and then used for irriagtion.

Why Play This Course

A solid course whose courtship with water has yielded a very interesting set of holes. For the price, it is worth the stop if you are in the area.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541) 882-0609/harborlinksgolf.net
  • Address:  601 Harbor Isle Blvd., Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
  • Owner: Jeld-Wen, Inc.
  • Designer: Ken Black
  • Pros: Jason Dobey (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on mats, practice chipping and sand areas, practice green; they have two indoor golf simulators
  • Pro Shop: A fair amount of clothing and equipment
  • Food: Neighboring Biagio’s Bar and Grille is a full-service restaurant open for lunch and dinner; pro shop has hot dogs, snacks, and sodas
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and port-a-potties on course
  • Yardage Markers: In-ground 200, 175, 150, 125, and 100; 150 spruce trees; yardage on some sprinklers; pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: No tank tops
  • Walkable: Compact and flat, a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • May be closed for a few months in the winter (but you can use the golf simulators)