Roseburg Country Club

General Course Description

Just to the west of Roseburg is an attractive, well-maintained course in an attractive setting.  Roseburg Country Club is private (they used to have limited times for the public, but no more). Although there are a few houses next to the opening holes, the course is primarily surrounded by ranchland and oak-covered hills. The course provides many challenges, beginning with tight, tree-lined fairways on the short but narrow first holes. The challenges expand to include traps, ponds, doglegs, and undulating fairways. But the main defense is the generally small and well-maintained greens. Although there are many trees, you can generally recover. The course is rolling, but a nice walk.

Course History

The first 9 opened in 1922 (with sand greens) and were designed by Walter Nash. In 1928 a substantially remodeled course (with grass greens) designed by George Junor became available to play. In 1979, the club purchased additional acreage to build the second 9, which opened in 1980. In 1998 there was a redesign of several holes by Gene “Bunny” Mason. (Thank you to course historian Ky Fullerton for much of this information.)

Why It Is There

Many local businessmen and golfers wanted to build a course.  With its large and attractive clubhouse, it continues to be a center of golf and social activities in Roseburg.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Greens are generally small and back to front — a bit short is not a bad place to be.  On the par-5 8th hole, a dogleg right, there is a pond defining the left side of the turn that you will need to flirt with to have a clear shot. On the par-4 14th hole, it is a short dogleg left where the dogleg comes early. Hitting it to the 150 is a good spot. Hole 16 is a very short par 4, where some will try to reach the green in one and avoid the trees, traps, and pond. But the green has a ridge-back through the center and the back left of the green falls away.

Did You Know

In addition to hosting the Roseburg Amateur for many years, the course also was the home for the Roseburg Open in the 1950s. In its first year, the Roseburg Open had the biggest purse of any tournament in the Northwest.

Good For Them

They hold junior golf camps (and allow non-members to participate). It is the home course for Roseburg High School. Water on property collects in ponds and is then used for irrigation. Watering is based on daily weather and moisture measurements. They have buffer zones around selected ponds to promote the dragonfly population. They use ladybugs for weed management.

Why Play This Course

An attractive, well-maintained, course that, although a bit short, has enough challenges to keep it perpetually interesting. The course, facilities, and friendly staff also make it a club to consider joining.

General

• • Type: 18-hole private course
  • Price:  Private
  • Phone/webpage: (541)672-4041/www.roseburgcountryclub.com
  • Address: 5051 Garden Valley Road, Roseburg, Oregon 97471
  • Owner: Roseburg Country Club
  • Designer: Walter Nash then George Junor (original 9); Gary Roger Baird (additional 9)
  • Pros: Garrison Knowles
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, pitching and sand practice area, putting green
  • Pro Shop: Medium, 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
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course, port-a-potties also on course
  • Yardage Markers: 200, 150, and 100 in-ground markers (and on cart paths); 150 posts on both sides of the fairway; yardage on sprinklers; pins color-coded for pin placement
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire (although denim in winter is OK)
  • Walkable: A nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hose, brushes, and wash
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year