Rogue Valley Country Club – The Rogue

General Course Description

The Rogue is the 18-hole course in the private Rogue Valley Country Club in  Medford. Although there are houses on many of the holes, it never feels like a course surrounded by houses, probably because of the superior design that includes a large and varied collection of mature trees, but also because of the attractive and nearby surrounding hills. The Rogue is a very-well-maintained course with well-manicured and uniform fairways, and great greens that hold and run true. The course has a classic feel (some holes are classic or are newer but feel classic). Trees and turns are the primary challenges, but there are many traps, some water, and a few holes with elevation changes. A very nice staff. Forward tees provide shorter distances and improved angles. A very nice walk.

Course History

Because there are 27 holes in the complex and the holes shifted over the years, the history is a little complicated.  The original 9 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). 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 so that 9 of Egan’s original 18 holes (1 to 3 and 13 to 18) plus Caperna’s 9 now form The Rogue (which is sometimes called the “Outer Course,” as it winds around the other 9-hole course referred to as “The Oaks” or the “Inner Course”).  All the holes were then remodeled in 1994-95 by Robert Muir Graves. (On occasion, the club allows the origianal Egan 18 to be played.) In the 1930s the club fell into financial difficulties and Glenn Jackson bought the majority membership and fashioned the club as a “Working man’s private club.” Mr. Jackson held majority interest in the club until his death in 1980.

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. The Southern Oregon Golf Championship (fka the Northern California/Southern Oregon Golf Open) has been held on the course every year since 1929, except in 1994, when the course was undergoing renovation. The tournament is purported to be the largest Amateur Match-Play tournament held on a single course in the United States, with divisions for men, seniors, juniors, women, and senior women. Lots of great golfers from all over the country and world have played in the tournament, including Mary Budke who won the tournament two weeks after she won the 1972 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

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

By and large, putts will break to the large building on top of the hill to the north of the course. Pay attention to the trees on setting up your approach shot. On the short par-4 7th hole, trees pinch on both sides at about 100 yards from the green and a pond guards almost the entire green. You could drive over the trees left and have a clean approach. On the par-4 10th hole, where you drive up a crest and at 200 yards from the green turn right, there is a tree that comes in on the right side on your second shot, so you want to be slightly left on your drive.

Did You Know

In 1953, the country’s first “Telegraph Team Match” was held between RVCC and Alderwood Country Club. Teams played their own course and would telegraph results back and forth. Each player got points for scores (4 for an eagle, 3 for a birdie, 2 for a par, and 1 for a bogey).  Team points would then be assigned in each match, one point for each 9 holes and one point for the 18-hole result. RVCC won, 30 to 6.

Good For Them

A youth program allows non-member 7th through 12th grade juniors access to the course for 9 months. Home course for North Medford, South Medford, and St. Mary’s High Schools. They host the Alan Holmes Tournament providing scholarships for local students interested in golf, and the Two-Partner Shootout supporting local high school golf teams.

Why Play This Course

A classic and very well maintained course in an attractive setting. Although the course is fairly open, there are challenges throughout making it a course that can be enjoyed by a wide range of skill sets. Great practice facilities, accommodating staff, and friendly members. A great place to play if you get the chance.

General

• • Type: 18-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, Ron Caperna, Robert Muir Graves (remodel)
  • Pros: Tracy Snyder (PGA), Jim Wise
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass and mats, two practice holes, pitching and sand practice area, two putting greens
  • Pro Shop: Medium sized, with a good amount of clothing and equipment
  • Food: Full-service restaurant and bar 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; take a pin sheet
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: A nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose,and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year