Shield Crest Golf Course

General Course Description

Shield Crest Golf Course is an 18-hole public course in an attractive setting at the base of a mesa (and with views of Mt. Shasta) in ranchland to the east of Klamath Falls.  Shield Crest Golf Course is long, but very open, sparsely treed and mostly with pines. It has the feeling of a Bend area course without the houses (and at a much lower cost). Well maintained and drier (and warmer) than other local courses. Primary issues are the turns, elevation changes, and long fescue rough. There are multiple traps and water on some holes. Although it is in a subdivision, few holes have houses.  Forward tees have the benefits of shorter distances and better angles. Hilly, but walkable.

Course History

First nine opened in 1989 and the second nine in 1990. The course was developed by Robert and Helen Cheyne who sold the course in 1992. The course closed for a few months in 2009 for financial reasons, but soon reopened with a new operating company.

Why It Is There

Built as part of the Shield Crest housing development.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Almost everything breaks away from the mesa. On the 4th hole, a par-4, dogleg left with a trap in the middle of the turn at 150 yards from the green,  the right of the trap provides more room and a better angle to the green (but you can hit it through the fairway going right). On the 9th hole, a par-4, on your approach shot, note that the fairway goes down to a narrow green that goes away from the fairway and has a steep drop-off in the back. Club down and/or let your ball roll on.  And on the 18th hole, a par-4, dogleg left, from the elevated tee, the pond at the turn is drivable (and most mortals cannot hit over it).  But leaving it to the right of the pond makes for a very difficult approach shot (about 225 to get to a very elevated green). Bogey is a good thing.

Did You Know

Mr. Cheyne was a native of Klamath Falls and a potato farmer (and subsequently, a warehouseman), who is purported to be the first to use an overhead irrigation system for potato farming, thereby increasing yields and reducing frost damage.

Good For Them

The course holds an eight-week, two-hour per week, junior golf camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 13.  The course is the home course for Triad (private) and Henley High Schools as well as the Oregon Institute of Technology. The course annually hosts the United Way Community Golf Challenge.

Why Play This Course

A relaxed, open, and forgiving course that is well maintained in an attractive area. A good addition to the courses you should play if you are in the area.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage:  (541) 884-5305/www.shieldcrestgc.com
  • Address:  3151 Shield Crest Drive, Kalamath Falls, Oregon 97603
  • Owner: Steelhead, LLC
  • Designer: Dave Lyman (first nine) and Charles Magnum (second nine)
  • Pros: Trever Martin (PGA Assoc.)
  • Practice Facilities: Two-way driving range on grass, practice chipping area, practice green
  • Pro Shop: Minimal clothing and equipment
  • Food: Hot dogs, snacks, sodas, and a full bar with a good view of the course
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and port-a-potties on course
  • Yardage Markers: 200, 150, 100 in-ground markers; 150 rocks on both sides of the fairway; yardage on some sprinkler heads; pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: No tank tops, but T-shirts are OK
  • Walkable: Hilly in places, with long walks between some holes, but still walkable with a bit of effort
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes and air hose
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year (but may be closed some weeks during winter)