Waverley Country Club

General Course DescriptionWaverley

Waverley Countyry Club houses the oldest private 18-hole course (and the second oldest course) in Oregon. The course sits on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River in Southeast Portland and is beautiful and very-well-maintained course. A classic course and club that has a deep history and continues to be steeped in tradition. Although the course has an open feel (you can see the majority of the course from several spots), the density of the trees and the deepness of the traps can make it difficult to recover from an errant shot. The greens are very well kept, but can be very difficult with significant speed coupled with multiple (sometimes severe) breaks. Extensive practice facilities, a large clubhouse (as well as a separate pro shop), and displays of history throughout. The staff at Waverley Country Club is gracious and the members friendly. Fairly flat course that provides a very nice walk.

Course History

This is actually the second course for Waverley (fka Waverly) Golf Club. The first course, 9 holes, was opened in 1896 in the Richmond District of Southeast Portland. (For a few months it was referred to as “Portland Golf Club.”) In 1898, the club moved to its current location that was the orchard of Henderson Luelling (who purportedly had the earliest grafted fruit trees west of the Mississippi). The first 9 opened in 1899 (for a while the course was referred to as “Riverside”). A delay in building the second 9 was caused by waiting for leases to “gardeners” to expire. The second 9 opened in 1910. In 1912, the club changed its name to Waverley to distinguish itself from the separate entity that owned the land (this explains the difference in spelling of the address; there are also stories about misprinted stationery and demands by women golfers to make the name more “handsome”). Also in 1912, the club built a polo ground together with stables (that would become the practice area). Chandler Egan then remodeled the course starting in 1916 until 1924. There were many partial remodels after that, but in 2012, the course was materially remodeled by Gil Hanse, bringing back the classic features provided by Mr. Egan’s original design. The remodel included removal of some 475 trees, and leveling many of the greens. Early on, the course embraced tournament play, which it has continued to do. The first Oregon Amateurs were played there from 1901 to 1916 (and then again in 1919, 1920, 1923, 1926, 1932, 1936, 1967, 1979, 1991, and 2011). The initial Oregon Open was played there in 1905 (and again in 1927, 1928, 1936, 1957, and 1966). The course has held several USGA events including the US Women’s Amateur (1952 and 1981, the latter won by Julie Inkster), the 1964 US Senior Amateur, the 1970 US Amateur (won by Lanny Watkins in a field that included Tom Kite, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, and Andy North), the 1993 US Junior Boys Amateur (won by Tiger Woods), and the 2017 US Senior Women’s Amateur (and is set to host the 2023 US Senior Women’s Open). It has also hosted many USGA qualifying events. It was rated as one of the top 10 golf courses in Oregon by Golf Digest in 2019.

Why It Is There

A.T. Higgins, S. Graham Bowley, and 23 others (mostly of Scottish and English decent) wanted a golf course in Portland. After its completion and for many decades thereafter, the course was the center of “Portland Society” and one of the centers of golf in the Northwest. It continues to be one of THE private courses to join in the Northwest.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

The greens are fast and a challenge — every putt needs multiple looks no matter how innocent the line looks. There are a surprising number of hidden hazards, starting on the first hole, a short par 4, where there is a trap about 100 yards from the center of the green that covers the right side of the fairway that you cannot see from the tee. On 2, a par 4, you drive up a hill and on the left side of the fairway that curves right, there are two traps starting about 200 yards from the center of the green. On 13, a par 5 that starts downhill, there is a trap in the center right of the fairway about 226 yards from the green that you cannot see. And on 15, an uphill par 4, there is a trap in the middle of the fairway that you can see. But the pin placement will dictate which side of the trap you should favor — left if the pin is right, and right if the pin is left.

Did You Know

It is difficult to provide a story or two about Waverley because of its rich history (like the pear trees on the left of the 10th hole are said to be genetic dependents of trees brought over on the Mayflower). Many an important figure have walked the course, including those in politics (back to President Howard Taft) as well as golf (back to Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, and Byron Nelson). If you are interested in seeing some of the history of the course, I would recommend reviewing the extensive history provided on Waverley’s website and, if you have the opportunity, viewing the historical displays that exist throughout the clubhouse. Nevertheless, here are two quick stories. In 1910, the first authorized air mail delivery in the Northwest took off from the polo grounds (now the practice range) headed to Vancouver, Washington. And in 1911, Major J.J. Marrow and Jordan Zan set the then US record for most holes in one day for a match play event of 119, starting at 4:30 am and finishing at 7:45 pm.

Good For Them

The club maintains the pioneer cemetery between the 2nd green and the 3rd tee. Several civil war veterans are buried there. The course is an Evans Scholarship participant.

Why Play This Course

You should play this course if:  (a) you are a fan of playing extremely well-manicured golf courses that are a challenge and have a variety of interesting holes;  (b) you are a fan of the history of golf; or (c) you want to play golf in one of the most picturesque places to play in the Portland area (in sum, you should play this course if given the chance).

General

    • Type: 18-hole private course
    • Price: Private
    • Phone/webpage: (503)654-6521/www.waverley.cc
    • Address: 1100 SE Waverly Drive, Portland, Oregon 97222
    • Owner: Waverley Country Club
    • Designer: Jack Moffett, Chandler Egan (remodel), Gil Hanse (remodel)
    • Pros: James E. Schaeffer (PGA)
    • Practice Facilities: Large practice facility on former polo grounds including driving range on grass, 3 putting greens, a short game practice area with traps and multiple pins, and an indoor teaching facility with a FlightScope indoor trainer
    • Pro Shop: Medium, with a good amount of clothing and equipment
    • Food: Multiple full-service restaurant and grill/bar options in the clubhouse open to members and guests
    • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
    • Yardage Markers: Multiple in-ground yardage markers (the yardage book is one of the most comprehensive I have seen); take a pin sheet for pin position
    • Clothing: Proper golf attire
    • Walkable: A little hilly, but a nice walk
    • Spikes: Soft only
    • Shoe Cleaning: Two air hoses and many brushes
    • Rentals: All
    • Open all year
Yards Par Rating Slope
Black 6668 72 72.8 134
Blue 6338 72 71.5/77 132/141
White 5913 72 69.3/74.7 130/135
Green 5301 72 71.1 127
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Waverley Country Club
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