The United States Golf Association seeks to identify the best player at each of its many annual national golf championships. They logically conclude that the best way to do that is to host their events at some of the nation's top courses. And that explains their repeated visits to Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, where both of its courses-Witch Hollow and Ghost Creek-have more than held their own against some of the world's best competitive golfers.

None other than Tiger Woods set the tone for this impressive run of championships when he captured a record-setting third consecutive U.S. Amateur title in 1996. Since then, the Pumpkin Ridge tandem has provided a stern but fair test for three U.S. Women's Opens and the boys and girls U.S. Junior Amateur Championships-which were held simultaneously on the two courses. Most recently, the USGA returned yet again when Pumpkin Ridge hosted the 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur. Golfers with more modest skills think just as highly of this pair of Bob Cupp-designed gems. Each course won immediate acclaim when they opened in 1992. That year, Ghost Creek was named Golf Digest's Best New Public Course, while Witch Hollow was runner-up in the Best New Private Category.

To get to Pumpkin Ridge from Downtown Portland, take U.S. 26 / Sunset Highway west toward Oregon Beaches (approximately 20 miles). Take Exit #55 Dersham Road Mountaindale. Turn right, proceeding north on Dersham Road. Take the first right at Mountaindale Road followed by your first left at Old Pumpkin Ridge Road, where you'll see the entrance to some of the best golf in the Pacific Northwest.

To further understand why the USGA and the world's top players are universally enamored with Pumpkin Ridge, call 503.647.9977 or visit www.PumpkinRidge.com.

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