Story by Scott Staats
There are about 30 scenic and challenging golf courses scattered throughout Central Oregon, offering the smell of sage on the high desert, the sound of a passing river, a fairway bordered by towering ponderosa pines, or a backdrop of snow-covered Cascade peaks. Here are six courses that should grab your attention.
Redmond Oregon
Eagle Crest Resort
Eagle Crest offers 72 holes of exciting golf with plenty of challenge and variety. You'll find two championship courses (the Ridge Course and the Resort Course), a tough 18-hole, par 63 Challenge Course and a unique 18-hole Putting Course. The courses wind through ancient junipers at the foot of the Cascades and feature sparkling lakes, tiered greens, and immaculate fairways.
The Ridge Course is known as a "driver's dream" for those who like to swing away. The Resort Course requires a bit more accuracy, especially the back nine. In 2006 the Challenge Course was named the Pacific Northwest's best short course by Links magazine. The 18-hole putting course is a favorite with kids and families. With its water hazards, sand traps, and sneaky breaks, it can challenge even the most seasoned of putting pros. (866-583-5212; eagle-crest.com)
Powell Butte Oregon
Brasada Canyons Golf Course
The designers of Brasada Canyons Golf Course (between Bend and Redmond in Powell Butte) definitely took advantage of topography by utilizing the surrounding canyons, plateaus, ridges, and native vegetation of the high desert. Eleven of its 18 holes are located within volcanic canyons while the other seven holes play along the canyon rims and sage-and juniper-covered hillsides, providing spectacular views of Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mount Bachelor.
Players coming off the 18th hole use an old trestle bridge to return to the clubhouse. There are five sets of tees per hole. The par 72 course is 7,328 yards from the farthest tees (6,721 back, 6,204 middle, 5,618 regular and 5,005 forward) and there are numerous white silica sand bunkers. (888-244-6015; brasada.com)
Bend Oregon
Tetherow Golf Club
For those who can't make the trip to Scotland to play the new Castle Course, the 18-hole Tetherow Course southwest of Bend is the next best thing. This par 72, 7,298-yard layout was designed by world renowned architect David McLay Kidd, who also designed Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast and the Castle Course.
Tetherow was created in the Scottish heathlands style and has all the elements of a links golf course. The course was the first in Oregon to become a Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International. Tetherow has been honored as one of the best new courses in the country by several golf publications including Golf Magazine, Golfweek, T&L Golf, and Links. (866-234-4848; tetherow.com)
Widgi Creek Golf Club
The challenging 6,900-yard Robert Muir Graves-designed Widgi Creek course has tight fairways, undulating greens and acres of giant ponderosa pines. The 653-yard third hole is one of the longest par 5s in the country. Located only minutes from downtown Bend, the Deschutes River, and the Deschutes National Forest, Widgi Creek also features an expansive practice facility that includes two practice putting greens, a bunker area, and a natural grass driving range. A staff of PGA professionals is available for lessons. (541-382-4449; widgi.com)
Near Sisters Oregon
 Black Butte Ranch
Black Butte Ranch's two championship courses are framed by ponderosa pines, aspen groves and the Cascade peaks. Big Meadow has been one of the country's favorite golf courses over the last 30 years. Sculpted fairways draw your attention to the surrounding terrain while the course grooming, spectacular scenery, and tee box options (7,000 to 5,480 yards) make for a memorable experience. Glaze Meadow is known for its challenging doglegs and elevation changes, which require accurate play. The course has won Golf Digest's honor of Best Places to Play. Several restaurants and snack shops are within walking distance. (800-399-2322; blackbutteranch.com)
Warm Springs Oregon
Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort
On the banks of the Warm Springs River, Kah-Nee-Ta's warm, dry climate makes golf possible year-round. The resort offers a par 72 championship golf course that measures 6,352 total yards from the blue tees, 5,828 total yards from the white tees and 5,195 yards from the red tees. There are two distinctly different challenges on the course. With ample fairways and relatively flat greens, the front nine gives players a chance for good scores right away while the back nine offers a high desert links-style of play with several doglegs and sloping greens. The course was included in Best Places to Play 2008-2009 by Golf Digest. (800-554- 4786; kahneeta.com)
Scott L. Staats is a freelance writer and photographer living in Prineville. His articles appear in local, regional, and national publications. |
