Illahe Hills Country Club

General Course Description

Illahe Hills Country Club sits on a bluff above the Willamette River (you only see the river once) just southwest of downtown Salem.  From the first tee, high above the main part of the course, this well-manicured course seems simple and open.  But as you drop into the course, you find that the holes turn and the fairways undulate, and that the many trees and traps (and a few ponds) increase the attractiveness of the course, but also provide ample hazards and some visual confusion. Errant shots will be penalized by (at least) the thickness of the trees. Good, true greens that are generally raised with false fronts and drop-offs at the corners.  The staff is gracious and the members very friendly. Forward tees provide better angles and much shorter distances.  Except for the walks up the 7th and 18th holes, the course is compact, flat, and a nice walk.

Course History

This is actually the second course for Ilahe Country Club.  The original private course in Salem (called Illahee Country Club or Illahee Country Links — note the additional “e” in the spelling) was a 9-hole course five miles to the south of Salem in Finzer. It appears that this course opened in 1914 but closed near the end of the Great Depression, in the late 1930s. Interesting to note that Ercel Kay, who built and operated the Salem Golf Club, was a member.  The organization for Illahe Country Club golf course started in 1959, when local businessmen and golfers wanted to have a private course in Salem and decided to build it as part of a real estate development.  The group incorporated, located and purchased the property, and opened the course in 1961.  The course was severely flooded in 1965 and 1996 and was remodeled in the mid-1990s. Since its opening, the course has hosted the Oregon Amateur (1964, 1976, and 1990), the Oregon Open (1974, 1978), the Northwest Open (1982), and several USGA qualifying events (including the 1980 and 1992 US Opens). In 2023, the course was awarded OGA’s Facility of the Year.

Why It Is There

Several local businessmen and golfers, including Glen Stevenson, Bruce Williams, Merritt Truax, Werner Brown, Al Loucks, E.E. Batterman, Dr. Vern Miller, Reynolds Allen, James Payne, Verne McMullen, Carl Gerlinger, and Dr. Owen Miller, wanted to have a private golf club in the area.  After the club opened, it became (and remains) a center of Salem social events (as well as golf).

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The trees and turns cause some visual confusion. For example, on the par-4 6th hole, a slight dogleg left around trees, there is more room in the driving area than it looks like from the tee.  And on the short uphill par-4 8th hole, trees pinch from right and then the left, but there is a good-sized landing area. Also on the par-3 9th hole, it appears to be a steep down, but the prevailing upper wind will knock your ball down (so play it flat, unless you can feel the wind in your face).

Did You Know

Ilahe is from the Chinook Indian word “ilahekh” meaning “land” or “earth.” The symbol on the tees are from the top section of a Power Pole that was the symbol for the course. The Women’s Club has an annual cross-country tournament called “Illashe.” And the members are allowed to fish in the lakes on the course (at appropriate times of course).

Good For Them

The course annually hosts the “Play for Day” charity tournament to support research to cure cancer in children. On Thursday mornings, juniors get exclusive rights to the back 9 for practice and teaching, 3-, 6-, or 9-holes depending on skill level (children of members only, but what a great idea). And if you are lucky enough, you might see Auggie, the course’s German Shorthaired Pointed, used to chase the geese away.

Why Play This Course

A well-maintained and attractive course that, with a wide spacing in tee boxes, can accommodate multiple skill levels. The design and members make this a truly enjoyable place to play. For the course and the services the club provides, it should be considered for membership, especially given the price.

General

• • Type: 18-hole private course
  • Price: Private
  • Phone/webpage: (503)364-0117/www.illahehills.com
  • Address: 3376 Country Club Drive S., Salem, Oregon 97302
  • Owner: Illahe Hills Country Club
  • Designer: William F. Bell, Jr.; John Harbottle III (remodel)
  • Pros: Steven Bowen (PGA; 2018 Senior OPGA Champion)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, putting greens, practice sand and pitching area, and a 175-yard practice hole
  • Pro Shop: Medium, with a good amount of clothing and equipment
  • Food: Full-service restaurant and grill/bar in the clubhouse open to members and guests, with a great view of the course
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 225, 200, 175, 150, 125, 100, 75 in-ground yardage markers on side of the fairways; pins position on a rotating basis
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: A little hilly, but a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hoses and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year (certain areas can flood in winter)