John Day Golf Club

General Course Description

John Day Golf Club is a 9-hole (18 with dual tee, including a second green on the 2nd hole) public course that sits above Highway 26 and John Day in a green bowl with houses on one side and juniper trees on the other. A nice course in an attractive setting, John Day Golf Course is a bit short, very open, and well maintained. Fairways are fairly uniform and well cut. Greens are firm and consistent. Although there are a few trees, two ponds, and some sand, the small greens provide the main defense.  A bit rolling, the course is compact and a very nice walk.

Course History

Opened in 1953 as the private Mountain View Golf Club. The course became public and changed its name in 1990.

Why It Is There

Locals wanted to build a course, so they did. It continues to have strong community support.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The greens are small and hard, so hitting short and having the ball bounce on may work well (on the downhill short par-4 5th hole, the green runs away from the fairway, so very short may be in order).  Don’t go long on the par-4 2nd hole, as it is difficult to stop the ball from above the slopping green. On the par-4 3rd hole with a dogleg right, you will see a pine tree straight away up the hill. Do not hit past the tree. Stay to the right and maybe even cut the corner.

Did You Know

The John Day River (below the course and across the highway, for which the town gets its name) has a large watershed area, but because the area gets little rainfall, the river does not carry a lot of water. The river does, however, carry a lot of sand, silt, and other material — more than any other stream in the state. Oregon Geographic Names, L. L. McArthur (1992).

Good For Them

Host course for Grant Union Junior/High School. Host junior camps in the summer. The course hosts several charity events including for CASA, Blue Mountain Hospital, and Rally for the Cure. The course also hosts Cross Country meets.

Why Play This Course

An interesting course in an attractive setting at a very reasonable price that is accessible for a wide variety of skill levels. If you visit the town of John Day or the famous Fossil Beds, it is a nice addition.

General

• • Type: 9-hole public course
  • Price: $
  • Phone/webpage: (541)575-0170/no website
  • Address: 27631 Golf Club Lane, John Day, Oregon 97845
  • Owner: John Day Golf Club, Inc.
  • Designer: Local golfers
  • Pros: None
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, pitching area, and putting green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal clothing and some equipment
  • Food: Hot dogs, sandwiches, snacks, soda, and full bar (with a nice deck overlooking the course) is open to members and guests only
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and port-a-potties on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150, 100, and 50 in-ground markers; yardage on many sprinklers; pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: Tank tops and jeans are OK
  • Walkable: Rolling, but a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush
  • Rentals: All (when pro shop is open)
  • Open all year