Prineville Golf Club

General Course Description

About six miles to the east of Prineville, Prineville Golf Club is at the base of the Ochoco Mountains and plays along and across the Ochoco River.  It is a private course, but if you are from outside the area and there are times available, you should be able to get on.  Prineville Golf Club is a 9-hole course with a dual tee system, but there is a sufficient difference on the 5th hole to warrant playing 18. The short but tree-lined holes vary, with some target and some links. The fairways are uniformed and well maintained. The greens run well and can be tricky. The course is rolling but compact — it is a nice walk.

Course History

First six holes opened in 1950 as Prineville Golf & Country Club, with the holes designed by Eddie Hogan and Ted Longworth. Three additional holes were opened in 1956 and were probably designed by Larry Lamberger Sr. (although some have the designer as George Junor). The course changed its name to Prineville Golf Club in 2010.

After it opened, it became (and still is) the home of the Prineville Pro Am, where many of the best pros in Oregon came to play. It also hosted the 1956 Oregon PGA (where the Ladies Club made breakfast and lunch for the competitors).

Why It Is There

A group of local businessmen, including Bob Hogan, wanted to build a country club in the area. Despite lots of competition in courses and clubs arising in the area since its opening, it remains the most affordable club in a wide geographic area.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Don’t go long. You can be penalized on almost every shot if you get too aggressive (most greens run back to front, you can hit through the doglegs, and the river or a steep downhill can be behind a green).

Did You Know

In 1956, the Ladies Auxiliary Club held a “Strip Tease Golf Tournament,” a match play event where the loser of the hole was required to remove an article of clothing (they do not play this tournament today).

Good For Them

They open the course for participants in community events, such as the Crooked River Roundup & Rodeo.

Why Play This Course

An attractive and well maintained 9-hole course that will test you even though it is short. If you can get on, the rate is very reasonable. And the staff and members are really nice folks.

General

• • Type: 9-hole (18 with dual tee) private course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)447-7266/https://sites.google.com/site/prinevillegolfclub
  • Address: 7120 NE Ochoco Highway, Prineville, Oregon 97754
  • Owner: Prineville Golf and Country Club
  • Designer: Eddie Hogan and Ted Longworth (original 6 holes), Larry Lamberger Sr (additional 3)
  • Pros: None
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, pitching and sand area, and putting green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal, balls and tees, some shirts and caps
  • Food: Hot dogs, snacks, soda, and beer; a snack shack is open on the course in high season
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: 150 and 100 stripes on cart paths; 150 in-ground markers; yardage on some sprinklers; no pin-position information
  • Clothing: T-shirts and jeans are OK
  • Walkable: Rolling but compact, a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brush
  • Rentals: No clubs, but pull carts and power carts
  • Open all year