Whether putting alongside a 60-foot sand dune or teeing off in the shadow of the Cascades, golfing in Oregon is the perfect way to soak in all the diverse scenery and climate the state has to offer. Many of the courses also feature a commitment to environmental preservation, installing solar panels, building wastewater management ponds and growing northern grasses like Washington-grown Kentucky Bluegrass.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort features six golf courses on the Oregon coast.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: This six-course resort in coastal Bandon tops all the best-of lists, especially Pacific Dunes, whose challenging 18 holes begin in rolling hills surrounded by trees, eventually leading the players along 60-foot sand dunes. The resort claims it strives to “capture the spirit of Scotland’s ancient links,” complete with the seaside winds that can change with every shot you take.
Ghost Creek at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club: This challenging, 18-hole public course in North Plains, just northwest of Portland, was built by Bob Cupp to work with the natural landscape of wetlands, lush vegetation and the Ghost Creek itself. While the course can be a bit soggy during the wet months, the beautiful course and challenging holes make this a worthwhile visit.
Tetherow Golf Club: This par-72 course in Bend was designed by David McLay Kidd, who created the Bandon Dunes courses, and provides gorgeous views of the Cascade Peaks and hilly, wild terrain. Fans on GolfPass recommend renting a GolfBoard or scooter for a fun addition to this challenging course.
Meadow Lakes Golf Course: These links in Prineville are walkable, affordable, beautifully maintained and suitable for all levels. The championship course, which was created to help manage the town’s wastewater program, meanders along evaporation ponds and buttes and through lush meadows. One Google reviewer, Joe, describes the course as “a hidden gem in Central Oregon … with lush tee boxes, fairways and greens.”
Silvies Valley Ranch: This resort in Seneca is a huge working ranch that also features five golf courses, beautiful cabins, outdoor excursions and various dining options. While the golf courses’ most notable feature is that severa
l are reversible—with the order changing daily to create thousands of different rounds—each course provides different challenge levels and attractions, including the nine-hole Chief Egan, whose clubhouse and course are both completely off the grid and solar powered.
Comments