Stone Ridge Golf Club

General Course Description

Just 11 miles northeast of Medford, the Stone Ridge Golf Club is a public 18-hole course nestled in rolling oak foothills. Without any houses on the course, the course is in a very attractive and pastoral setting (although with a gun club and racing track in the area, it can be noisy). The course has many interesting holes, with trees, turns, elevation changes, traps and some water providing the challenges. Based on reports, the course has significantly improved over prior years. The fairways are mixed, but well maintained and the greens are generally true and hold well. It is a course with great “bones” (layout and setting) that you can tell is improving.  A very nice staff runs the place. Forward tees provide shorter distances and better angles. The course has several hills, but is fairly compact. You can walk it with some effort.

Course History

Opened in 1995 on property owned by Jim Cochran’s family for 18 years. Soon after it opened, Golf Digest named the course the best course to play in Oregon for under $50. Accounts say that the course fell into disrepair over the years. In 2019, the course and surrounding property were purchased by Portlander Terry M. Emmert and The Emmert International Group (which moves big things, such as the Spruce Goose).  New management was put into place, including Mr. Emmert’s son Terry, and pro Vince Domenzain (formerly of Centennial Golf Club). Changes are quickly being made, including flipping the 9s.

Why It Is There

Mr. Cochran wanted to design, build, and operate a golf course.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

On the short, steeply downhill par-4 4th hole, the trap in front of the green left is several yards in front of the green and there is a slot to the left of that trap that can help carry your ball to the green (of course, if you miss the slot, you are likely in the trap).  On the par-4 15th hole, there is a dogleg left at about the 150 pole. To aviod the trees left after the turn, you need to hit it past the 150 pole or go right of it to give yourself some room to go over the trees on the left. And on the short, downhill, par-4 17th hole, from the tee box it looks like trees cross the fairway, with oak trees early right and then further back on the left. There is room after the trees on the right side, where mounding may bring your ball back to the center (you may want to be right of center to have a clearer shot to the green down the hill).

Did You Know

In the 1940s, the land was used as part of an artillery range affiliated with Camp White, a training camp for soldiers during World War II. Between the 13th green and the 14th tee box, you can see remnants of “spider holes” (6′ deep fox holes)  that were used during training.

Good For Them

The new management team is just getting started, but they already host women’s only clinics and 4-day camps for juniors. The course hosts classes from Central Point Parks and Recreation. Starting in 2020, the course will host the Southern Oregon Military Appreciation Tournament to benefit charities throughout the Rogue Valley.

Why Play This Course

An improving course in a very attractive setting with a great staff. It may be one of the best values for 18 holes in the area.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)830-4653/www.stoneridgegolfcourse.com
  • Address: 500 East Antelope, Eagle Point, Oregon 97524
  • Owner: Stone Ridge Golf Club & Course, LLC
  • Designer: James A. Cochran
  • Pros: Vince Domenzain (PGA), Roger Hults (PGA Associate), Sean McLean
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, pitching area, two putting greens
  • Pro Shop: Some clothes and equipment
  • Food: Top of the Ridge Cafe and Patio has sandwiches (including breakfast sandwiches), hot dogs, snacks, sodas, beer, and wine; open when the course is open
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and port-a-potty on course
  • Yardage Markers:  250, 200, 150, and 100 in-ground markers; 150 posts; pins color-coded for position
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire requested
  • Walkable: Hilly in places, causing some exertion for a walk
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: Air hoses and brushes
  • Rentals: All
  • Open all year