Salemtowne Golf Course

General Course Description

Salemtowne Golf Course is a 9-hole private executive course in an adults-only subdivision in Northwest Salem.  (Non-residents over 50 can become members.) The course essentially has three short par 4s (the longest is 286; the blue tees have an additional par 4 and the red tees have a short par 5) and the remainder are par 3s (125 to 169 yards). Every green is raised and has at least one bunker next to it. Most holes are pretty open, and although houses line almost every hole, trees and distance generally prevent them from coming into play. Although the fairways and greens are mixed, they are well tended. There are some very nice trees and you do get the occasional glimpse of Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson. There are some distances between holes, but the short course is a nice walk (and you can use the funicular).

Course History

Opened in 1967 on property that was formerly an orchard. The development (and course) became subject to financial difficulties and was placed into receivership in 1972. During this period, the local residents volunteered and maintained (thereby saving) the course. Eventually, the community association became the owner of the course.

Why It Is There

Built as part of the Salemtowne housing development by James G. Watts (who built Oregon State University’s Gill Coliseum). The development is modeled after Dell Webb’s “Sun City” complex near Los Angeles. The course is an integral part of the local community, who essentially saved the course in the 1970s.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The green on the 3rd hole is a bit deceiving. The front part of the green rolls away from the fairway and the remainder of the green is much flatter than the back-to-front, right-to-left appearance. Also, on the 6th hole, there is a small pond at the bottom of the hill on the left that you may not see from the tee.

Did You Know

The course has what may be the only ground funicular on an Oregon golf couse — taking players from the 9th green up to the level of the clubhouse. Also the course’s first pro was Charlie Perkins, who was a Major League Baseball pitcher and member of the 1930 World Champion Philadelphia Athletics.

Good For Them

Although there is a paid maintenance crew for the course, there is a strong network of volunteers that work on special projects (e.g., flower beds, benches, clubhouse improvements), maintain an inventory of the identity and health of the trees on the course, and maintain an active list of bird sightings. In addition, the woodworking facility for the community is purported to be the only volunteer shop assisting the Oregon Department of Transportation in maintaining the state’s historic information signs.

Why Play This Course

The course is golfer-friendly, short, nicely maintained, and rarely crowded.  The folks in the neighborhood seem pretty friendly as well.  Overall, the course is a good place to relax while hitting the ball.

General

• • Type: 9-hole private executive course
  • Price: Private
  • Phone/webpage: (503)363-4729/www.salemtowne.us
  • Address: 2900 Oakcrest Drive NW, Salem, Oregon 97304
  • Owner: Salemtowne Civic Association
  • Designer: William Schafer
  • Pros: None
  • Practice Facilities: Putting green; there is a 90-yard practice chipping and sand area off the 7th tee
  • Pro Shop: None; there is a clubhouse for the Men’s and Women’s Clubs
  • Food: None (unless someone makes coffee or brings cookies)
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers:  150, 100, and 50 in-ground markers and on cart paths; lower flags on pins provide pin-position information
  • Clothing: Non-ratty T-shirt and jeans OK
  • Walkable: Short and pretty flat, a nice walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and two airhoses
  • Rentals: Pull carts and clubs are available to use
  • Open all year and plays well in winter