Golf Central

Legendary golf course architect Donald Ross once ventured that the architect’s job is to artfully marry design with what Mother Nature has provided. By that standard, designers of Oregon courses are blessed with enviable raw materials. From coastal dunes to the forested slopes of the Cascades and the rangeland of Eastern Oregon, the Beaver State offers unparalleled geographical diversity—and a richly varied golf experience.

No region better captures the range of environmental possibility than Central Oregon. Alpine peaks and meadows meet high desert plateaus, with clear rivers running through it all. Small wonder that a who’s who of golf course designers — notably Bob Cupp, Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones Jr. — have proudly made their marks here.

Central Oregon boasts 25 golf courses, all within an hour of Bend, the region’s hub city. Plentiful first-rate courses combined with natural beauty, persistent sunshine and low fees have made the region an internationally recognized golf oasis. A recent Golf Digest survey ranking the world’s best golf destinations placed Central Oregon 23rd in the world, ahead of heavy hitters such as Tucson, Bermuda and Lake Tahoe.

“The courses of Central Oregon combine quality architecture with excellent greenkeeping and expansive views,” says Ron Whitten, Golf Digest architecture editor. “The layouts maximize good walking terrain and take advantage of dramatic mountain backdrops; the fairways and greens are generally in terrific shape.”

For visitors used to congested golf meccas, Central Oregon is a revelation. “Californians used to high prices, crowded courses, slow rounds and a scarcity of tee times will find a welcome change,” says Ken Matsumoto, an Oakland-based management consultant. Fewer people means fewer divots in the fairways, fewer spike marks on the greens and faster rounds. What’s more, Central Oregon courses promise Matsumoto proximity to another of his favorite pastimes: fly-fishing.

“Most are within a short drive of a pristine river,” says Matsumoto, echoing the enthusiasm of many other golfers who call Central Oregon their favorite destination as much for its off-course attractions as the greens themselves.

Big Meadow at Black Butte
Famed golf architect Robert Muir Graves designed the Big Meadow course, which opened in 1971 just west of Sisters at Black Butte Ranch. Big Meadow is a classic resort course — challenging from the back tees (at 6,880 yards), but not overly punishing for higher-handicap players.

Heavily wooded with aspens and ponderosa pines, the course offers views of Mt. Washington, Three Sisters and Black Butte. The 14th hole epitomizes alpine golf, backed by the outline of Three Fingered Jack’s jagged peak. Elk frequently roam the course, and golden eagles soar overhead.

Black Butte also offers the nearby Glaze Meadow course, designed by Bunny Mason and built in 1980. While Glaze is a slightly shorter layout, narrow fairways make it trickier to keep the ball in play; most agree that it’s the more challenging 18 of Black Butte’s 36 holes. Call 800-399-2322 for Big Meadow tee times. Green fees are $45-$65.

River’s Edge
Golf Digest recently tagged River’s Edge one of America’s “Best 25 Courses to Play.” Also designed by Robert Muir Graves, River’s Edge skirts downtown Bend, rolling up and down a hill west of the Deschutes River; it’s 6,683 yards from the blues, with a slope rating of 137.

The River’s Edge front nine slope toward the river and include several intriguing holes. The signature sixth hole features a waterfall which, depending on pin placement, may need to be carried. The eighth begins with a semi-blind tee shot that must carry a monolithic lava formation. The back nine climb above the clubhouse, rewarding players with views of Smith Rock and, far across the valley, the Ochoco Mountains. Mt. Jefferson presents its striking silhouette beyond the 12th hole.
Call 541-389-2828 for tee times. Green fees are $24-$48, including cart and practice tee.

Meadows at Sunriver Resort
John Fought recently redesigned Sunriver Resort’s Meadows course, located 15 miles south of Bend. The course rests in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor, visible from many holes, along with Broken Top and Three Sisters. Seven holes border the meandering Sun River.

Like Big Meadow and River’s Edge, the Meadows course is fairly forgiving from the white tees, though the course plays considerably tougher from the blue (6,625 yards) or black (7,012 yards) boxes. Wide fairways keep the high-handicapper in play, but fast, mounded greens can add strokes quickly.

The Meadows also offers a nine-hole putting course. Each hole stretches 25 to 40 yards, and features undulating greens and regulation cups.“It’s great for kids to have a nice introduction to golf,” said Susan Macdonald of San Jose, Calif, who introduced her daughter to the game during a visit to Sunriver this past summer. “There are many lesson options for children. And there are enough courses around so the kids can get out and play without slowing down the more serious players.”

Sunriver Resort also features two other courses: the tightly fairwayed Woodlands and nationally acclaimed Crosswater — aptly named, as the course requires a minimum of seven water crossings. Woodlands is open to the general public; only guests at Sunriver Resort can play Crosswater.
Call 541-593-4402 for Meadows tee times. Green fees here are $50 to $125, including cart and practice tee.

Off the course
In the end, what really sets Central Oregon golf apart is that there’s so much to do after 18 holes. (Three hundred days of sunshine a year don’t hurt, either.)

“No golf destination compares with Central Oregon in terms of recreational amenities,” said Brian McCallen, Golf Magazine travel editor. “The variety and excellence of nongolfing activities — whether whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking mountain trails or lava lands, biking, perhaps even skiing — is unrivaled.”