Tetherow Golf Club

General Course Description

Among the pine-covered hills southwest of Bend in a large clearing caused by fire is a unique course in a unique setting. Tetherow Golf Club is a David McLay Kidd designed, Scottish-style course that has immaculately maintained fescue fairways and greens. It is the Bandon Dunes of Central Oregon, with trees replacing the ocean (and with the addition of very expensive houses that are not in play). Large, undulating fairways that run out extremely well. Large, multitiered/undulating greens that are hard, fast, and true. The fairway and green undulations, mid-fairway “eyebrows” (rock or brush-curved outgrowths), and fescue-topped (sometimes massive) bunkers provide the primary challenges, but there is some water and the occasional tree.  Stunning views of the Cascades. Excellent service. It is considered Semi-Private because of priority given to members and lodge guests. Forward tees have benefits of shorter distances and improved angles. Hilly with long walks between holes — cart recommended.

Course History

Opened in 2008. The course and development was started by Arrowood Development (Dan Bauhofer and John Lietz) and was completed by one of the original partners, Spring Capital Group (through Golf Partners, LLC). The present owner purchased the development in 2009. A principal of the present owner is Christian Van der Velde, who was the original golf development director for Arrowood. When it opened, it was voted the Best New Course You Can Play by Golf Digest. Annually listed in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public Courses in America, being number 82 in 2021.

Why It Is There

Built as part of the Tetherow resort and housing development.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Note that tee times for non-members not staying at the lodge are limited. There are two types of sand and they play slightly differently.  Putts favor going away from the Cascades. Large undulating greens necessitate being on the correct tier to have a good chance at a two-putt (the pin sheet, showing the contours of the greens and the exact placement of the pin, is great). On the par-4 16th, where you drive up a hill, and the fairway crests and goes down to the green, the fairway sharply drops at about 49 yards from the center of the green (and there is a steep fall off the back of the green). And use and appreciate the required forecaddie (he/she can be very helpful).

Did You Know

When it was built, the green at the 3-par 17th hole was a lot smaller. Basically, the lowest tier of the green was fairway (bordered on three sides by sand).

Good For Them

The course holds junior clinics for members and non-members, including a 6-week junior golf clinic. The driving range is converted into a Par-3 Links course for kids. Used on-site materials for several buildings. Living Roofs on several structures. Uses composted waste products in course mainteinance. An Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Course (only one in Oregon). Works with East Cascade Audubon Society to promote wildlife and establish wildlife corridors. Has a bird list for the course. Hosts the High Desert Classic for high school teams. Veterans play free on Verterans Day Weekend. Hosts Hayden Homes Golf Tournament benefitting First Story to provide financial support for home ownership opportunities.

Why Play This Course

An immaculately maintained, stunningly designed, Scottish-style course in Central Oregon with amazing views of the Cascades. Those should be reasons enough. Yes, it is expensive, but it is a unique experience and you get a lot of perks, including the forecaddie, practice facilities, cart, an amazing yardage book and pin sheet, and the usuals for a private course. Unless you hate Bandon Dunes, it is a course that should be played.

General

• • Type: 18-hole semi-private course
  • Price: $$$$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)388-2582/https://tetherow.com/golf/
  • Address: 61240 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, Oregon 97702
  • Owner: Tetherow Golf Course, LLC
  • Designer: David McLay Kidd
  • Pros: Jake Edwards (PGA), Mike Lewis (PGA), Jordan Ropp (PGA), Colby Johnson (PGA)
  • Practice Facilities: Driving range on grass, practice pitching and sand area, two putting greens, and an indoor learning center with indoor heated practice stations with Trackman
  • Pro Shop: A good amount of clothing and some equipment
  • Food: The Row is a full-service restaurant open for breakfast and lunch with an amazing view of the course; The Turn is between the 9th green and 10th tee has sandwiches, snacks, sodas, and drinks
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: Yardage on sprinklers with front, center, back of green measurements, but take and review the yardage book and a pin sheet (both the best you will ever view)
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: Hilly with distances between holes, cart recommended
  • Spikes: Soft only
  • Shoe Cleaning: None
  • Rentals: All and golfboards
  • Tries to be open through the year, but will be closed for a few weeks in the winter because of snow and ice