Lake Oswego Public Golf Course

General Course Description

Lake Oswego Public Golf Course is now a  public 9-hole executive course just south of Lake Oswego (and south of Portland). This new course, designed by Dan Hixon,  replaces the former 18-hole par 3 course. The new course is much more open and has much larger greens than the old course. Distances range from 100 to 309 yards. Terrain is rolling, some holes have slight doglegs, and there are several trees and a few traps. Lake Oswego Public Golf Course has good practice facilities and is a nice place to learn or to work on your game. The course is a short easy walk.

Course History

Opened in 1967 with the help of the then owners of the Portland Buckaroos hockey team Cliff and Arnie Schmautz. The purchase of the course by the City of Lake Oswego was funded by a levy to develop and maintain recreational opportunities for children.  In March of 2020 the City approved the construction of a  rec/aquatic center on a portion of the course that would reconfigure the course to a 9-hole executive course designed by Dan Hixon. The new course opened on April 26, 2025.

Why It Is There

The City of Lake Oswego wanted a public golf course. And then it wanted a rec/aquatic center. Although the golf footprint has shrunk, it is hoped that golfers and non-golfers alike will use all of what this recreation complex has to offer.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

What building the “club house” (which is just a check-in area) is in. It is not in the building to the north next to the driving range (the old club house). It is in the main building. Also, several of the greens (the opening holes in particular) have significant humps in the greens. And there is little yardage information and the teeing areas are pretty long – take a range finder.

Did You Know

An employee was playing the old course before his shift and caught up to a threesome on 15. The group had already hit and invited the employee to tee it up. The employee promptly aced the hole. A woman in the threesome was flabbergasted and could not stop talking about how great a player the employee was (he almost aced 16 as well). On the 17th hole, the woman hit a low screamer, which flew up the front right of the green steering left and then into the hole. The whole group was shocked and ecstatic at the events of 3 holes. (No report on who bought who drinks.)

Good For Them

They hold multiple junior camps in the summer. The electric carts and equipment are powered, in part, by solar panels on the rec center roof!

Why Play This Course

Attractive course that is laid back, family friendly, fast, and fun.  With the practice facilities, it is a good place for all skill levels at a very reasonable price.

General

• • Type: 9-hole executive public course
  • Price: $
  • Phone/webpage: (503) 675-2549/ci.oswego.or.us/LORAC/golf
  • Address:  17525 Stafford Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034
  • Owner: City of Lake Oswego
  • Designer: Shirley Stone; Dan Hixon remodel
  • Pros: Grant Hawkins (PGA Associate), Paula Wendorf
  • Practice Facilities: Covered (some stalls heated) driving range off mats; pitching and sand practice area; putting green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal equipment
  • Food: Sandwiches, snacks, soda, beer and wine at a counter next to the check-in desk
  • Bathrooms: Improved in the rec center and improved porta pottie on course
  • Yardage Markers: 100 yard stakes on longer holes
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire is appreciated
  • Walkable: Short, easy walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year (unless there is snow or ice)