Rogue Valley Country Club – The Oaks

General Course Description

The Oaks is the 9-hole course in the 27-hole private Rogue Valley Country Club in Medford.  It is often referred to as “The Inner” course as it is surrounded by the companion 18-hole course called “The Rogue” or “The Outer Course.”  The Oaks at Rogue Valley Country Club is much more open and straightforward than its sister course; length, elevation changes, and smaller greens are the primary issues (but there are many mature, mainly oak, trees as well as many traps and a big lake that comes into play twice). Like its sister course, The Oaks is very well maintained (although it seemed that the greens ran a little faster). Unlike its sister course, there are no houses to be seen on The Oaks. A little hilly, but compact and very walkable.

Course History

The first 9 holes for the complex was opened in 1924 and designed by Chandler Egan (one of his first designs) on land that was formerly owned by the disbanded Medford Golf and Country Club. The second 9, also an Egan design, was opened in 1933 (although some reports have it opening in 1928). (Mr. Egan was so attached to the course that his memorial was held there.) For a while after the course opened, it was referred to as “Rogue Valley Golf Club.” In 1961, a third 9 was added, designed by Ron Caperna. The routing was then changed. The Oaks course contains 9 of Egan’s original 18 holes.  (On occasion, the club allows the original Egan 18 to be played.) All the holes were then remodeled in 1994-95 by Robert Muir Graves. Multiple OGA and NWPGA events have been held here including the Oregon Amateur in 1948, 1954, 1966, and 1987, and the Oregon Open in 1955.

Why It Is There

In 1911, the Medford Golf and Country Club was formed by local businessmen and opened a course, but quickly experienced financial distress and closed a short time after opening. It reopened in 1912 but closed again in 1917. In 1924, the Rogue Valley Golf Association was formed with its founding members including Chandler Egan, Robert Ruhl, and Emil Mohr. They bought the land where the Medford Golf and Country Club was located and built the new course. It quickly became one of the most competitive clubs in the state, and has stayed that way over the decades. It also became and continues to be a center of golf and social events in the area.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the par-4 5th hole, a dogleg left, from the elevated tee down to a tree-lined fairway, you either need to work your ball right to left or go over the oak tree on the left (but not too far left as there are more trees further up the left side). On the par-3 6th hole, it looks flat, but it is slightly uphill to a green that runs back to front.

Did You Know

In the 1960s, the general manager of the club, Jimmy Dunlevy, served as the Mayor of Medford.

Good For Them

A youth program allows non-member 7th through 12th grade juniors access to the course for 9 months. The courses are the home courses for North Medford, South Medford, and St. Mary’s High Schools as well as Southern Oregon University. They host the Alan Holmes Tournament providing scholarships for local students interested in golf; the ACCESS Golf Tournament supporting programs that provide food, warmth, and shelter for local vulnerable populations; and the Two-Partner Shootout supporting local high school golf teams. They also use the course for the Run With Grace 5K to support programs to improve the mental well-being of children and teens, and the Gathering at the Oaks a car show supporting the Sparrow Club that empowers kids to support kids with medical needs.

Why Play This Course

A very-well-maintained course that has a great classic feel, with wide fairways but small and fast greens. If you want to experience an Egan course in Southern Oregon, this is the course you should play (if you have a friend that can get you on).

General

• • Type: 9-hole private course
  • Price: Private
  • Phone/webpage: (541)772-4050/www.rvcc.com
  • Address: 2660 Hillcrest Road, Medford, Oregon 97504
  • Owner: Rogue Valley Country Club
  • Designer: H. Chandler Egan,  Robert Muir Graves (remodel)
  • Pros: Tracy Snyder (PGA), Laura Kraft (PGA), Ryan Wigley
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass and mats, two practice holes, pitching and sand practice area, three putting greens and a 10-hole mini golf course
  • Pro Shop: Medium sized, with a good amount of clothing and equipment
  • Food: Full-service restaurant and two bars (one named Egan’s Pub) in the clubhouse, with a great view of the course open to members and guests; snack shack on course
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: From 225 in, there are in-ground markers every 25 yards on both sides of the fairway; pins color-coded for position (note, yardage on the cart path marks a 3-par course within the course)
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: A nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year