Oakway Golf Course

General Course Description

Oakway Golf Course is an 18-hole, public, executive course among the trees and houses just north of downtown Eugene. Oakway Golf Course has eleven par 3s, ranging from 102 to 198 yards, and seven par 4s, ranging from 242 to 328 yards. Although short, they have managed to fit in all sorts of hazards, including tall mature trees (of an astonishing variety), sand, lakes, fairway undulations, doglegs, and tiered greens. Greens are very hard and do not hold well. The pro shop looks like an old ranch-style house and feels more like a living room (with a pool table and sofa in front of a TV). A nice walk.

Course History

Opened in 1929 by Cal Young (who sold another part of his property to build Eugene Country Club). In 1947, Mr. Young sold the course to Ralph Hope, Sr. In 1956, the course was converted to a 6135-yard, 18-hole course (designed by Ralph’s son, Bob). In 1974, Bob converted the course back to an executive course. In 1993, the course was sold to its present owner.

Why It Is There

After selling part of his land to the private Eugene Country Club, Cal Young wanted to build a course that all people could play. When the course was converted to an executive course, Bob Hope stated that he wanted to have a course that the entire family could play and playing it would not take four hours. It has a steady, local following.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

They do not take tee times (except for club events). If you get there before the pro shop opens, go play, and pay as you make the turn.  As you stand on the tee of the par-4 10th hole, it looks like the green is straight away between two trees. It is not. Drive to the 100-yard pole and you will have a simple shot to the green to the right.

Did You Know

Gary Wiren served as the course pro from 1962 to 1972. He went on to become the Director of Golf Education for the PGA, developed several books and videos on how to play golf, had his own television series on golf, won on the Senior PGA Tour, received many awards (nationally and internationally) for teaching and other contributions to the game of golf, and has been inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Teachers’ Hall of Fame.

Good For Them

Use very little chemicals (spray only tees). They hold junior camps for both boys and girls, 17 and under. Home course for Willamette High School.

Why Play This Course

For the reasons Bob Hope remodeled the course: short and open, all levels can play this course generally in much less than four hours. It is quiet, conveniently located, and is reasonably priced.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public executive course
  • Price: $
  • Phone/webpage: (541)484-1927/www.oakwaygolf.com
  • Address:  2000 Cal Young Road, Eugene, Oregon 97401
  • Owner: Oakway Golf, Inc.
  • Designer: Cal Young (original 9), Bob Hope (18 hole remodel), John Zoller (1974 remodel)
  • Pros: Brad Jackson
  • Practice Facilities: Practice green; pitching and sand practice area
  • Pro Shop: Minimal
  • Food: Soda, beer, and snacks
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse, and port-a-potties on the course
  • Yardage Markers: 100 poles and in-ground 50-yard markers; pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: Be dressed
  • Walkable: Very
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brush
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year