Golf Courses-Portland Area

Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club -- North Plains, Oregon

Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club opened in the spring of 1992 to rave reviews and quickly became host facility to some of the games best championships. Pumpkin Ridge has two courses, the public course is known as Witch Hollow and the private club is named Ghost Creek. Located only 25 miles from downtown Portland, the course transports you to another world essentially, a place where its still and quiet and just you and 36 holes of championship golf, a great setting.

In terms of awards and achievements Pumpkin Ridge has those as well. Pumpkin Ridge was host of the 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur, 2000 U.S. Junior Amateur Championships, Golf Digest's #1 New Public Course (1992 Ghost Creek Course), Golf Digest's #2 New Private Course (1992 Witch Hollow Course) , Ghost Creek was home of the Nike Tour Championship (1993 and 1994), 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship, 1997 and 2003 U.S. Women's Open Championship.

Pumpkin is a special place, its one of those rounds of golf that you cherish and enjoy just a little more because you know that your playing somewhere with a history and where some of the games greats have tee'd it up. Robert Cupp designed both courses and each sports its own character and set of challenges that make it unique and set it apart. Its always fun to play Pumpkin before or just after one of their big events they host, you see a totally different side to the course with the rough grown out and unique pin positions. Pumpkin is sure to continue its tradition of playing host to some of the games best tournaments and is more than deserving of each event its awarded.

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Heron Lakes Golf Course - Portland, Oregon

Heron Lakes Golf Course was opened for public play in 1971. The courses (there are two, Great Blue and Green Back) was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and without being located right on Burnside downtown, this is about the closest golf course from the heart of the city. The course borrowed its name from the vast numbers of Blue Herons that call the area home, thanks to the river and wetlands being in close proximity.

The Great Blue Course at Heron Lakes is commonly thought of as one of Portlands most challenging courses, thought of in the same breadth as Pumpkin Ridge and The Reserve. The Great Blue Course is a favorite challenge among low handicap golfers. The 6,902 yard course's fairways ramble between Scottish-style mounds and pose a collection of excellent risk/reward riddles for all four sets of tees.

The 6,615 yard Greenback Course is a flexible layout featuring elevated, bunker-framed greens and a generally easygoing demeanor. This parkland style course attracts beginners, seniors and others who welcome a moderate challenge in a beautiful setting. Greenback incorporates trees, six ponds and 86 bunkers as it plays toward large, welcoming greens.

We think Robert Trent Jones, Jr. put it best, “We strive to create high-quality golf courses that appear as if they were designed by nature. We want our courses to fascinate players with depth and variety, subtlety and strength. We hope players will find meaning in our courses—that they will discover the stories, motifs, and poetry we incorporate into each design. Our courses are of the earth but they are for the spirit.”

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The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club - Aloha, OR

Chris Rogers, Director of Golf – The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club

Playing The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club is a unique experience. From the moment you drive up you know you're going to have a great day. The drive in consists of a beautifully manicured entrance featuring full blossoming trees overhanging the road until you reach the opening and then gaze upon the towering clubhouse that has become the easily recognizable centerpiece of The Reserve.

At The Reserve, a unique rotating course format enables public golfers to access two distinct 18-hole championship courses - designed by award-winning architects John Fought and Bob Cupp and rated among the elite handful of the Pacific Northwest's most stunning tracks.

When it comes to golf courses, most players would agree with silverscreen star Mae West's assertion that "Too much of a good thing is wonderful." If one top notch 18-hole course is good, then two of them are absolutely inspirational. Considered by many dedicated golfers to be the state's two finest playing winter courses, the North Course and the South Course deliver playing experiences so diverse it's a wonder they occupy adjacent grounds.

The Reserve has been the proud host to some of golf's most prestigious events, including The Fred Meyer Challenge (1998-2002) and The PGA Champions Tour Major, The JELD-WEN Tradition (2003-2006). Since 2002, Golf Digest has honored The Reserve with a 4 1/2-star rating in its bi-annual "Best Places to Play" issue, and over 50 major championship winners, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, and Annika Sorenstam, have walked its fairways.

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Stone Creek Golf Course - Oregon City, Oregon

Stone Creek Golf Club is a Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy designed course. The course is scenically designed and offers spectacular views of Mt. Hood. The course is laid out over 120 acres of land with old-growth Douglas Firs, lakes, four wetlands, and forty-three bunkers. Stone Creek has also received a number of awards as well, Golf Week rated it the sixth best public course in Oregon in 2004, Brainstorm Magazine ranked it the Best Value in the Pacific Northwest in 2004, and Golf Digest gave Stone Creek 4 Stars in 2006/2007.

Stone Creek has several holes that will get you if your not careful, several par fours stretch well into the 400-yard range. One of those is the par-4 seventeenth at 431-yards and is the toughest driving hole on the course. Douglas firs shape the left and right of the fairway, so accuracy is most important. The second shot is intimidating. You must hit a middle to long iron to a flat green that sits out in the middle of a pond. There's water on the right of the green, and it's long, so make sure the ball is missed short or left, otherwise, you'll find yourself in the water.

Another hole you don't want to get cute on is the par four hole 5th hole that is 429-yards. This is the toughest hole on the course. The tee shot is framed on the left and right by Douglas firs. There's a slight dogleg to the right which is longer than the yardage indicates and the second shot is up hill (and plays longer than you think). There are a couple of bunkers on the right side of the green that may not be in view. The green is flat, yet has a subtle putting surface.

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Skamania Lodge Golf Course -- Stevenson, Washington

A short drive east from Portland you will come to the forested paradise that is Skamania Lodge and their championship golf course. Designed by Bunny Mason, Skamania Lodge Golf Course opened to the public on July 4, 1993. Overlooking the spectacular Columbia River and surrounding cliffs, this course has proven to be an enticing challenge to even the most experienced player. Skamania was named as a Top 100 Golf Course by Golf for Women Magazine in 2007 and was named a Top 25 Golf Resort for Families.

Their challenging 18-hole, par-70 golf course is beautifully tucked into the resort's 175 wooded acres. The golf facility features a driving range, practice bunker, chipping and putting greens. The approximate 300-foot elevation of the resort lends itself to mild year-round temperatures that make for great golf weather when the valley may be socked in with fog.

The forested course offers players not only a challenging round with breathtaking views, but plays host to abundant wildlife that frequent the course's meadows and ponds. Deer, turtles, geese, raccoons, osprey and other curious onlookers may very well be your gallery as you make your way along Skamania's beautiful and ever-changing landscape. In the midst of all this stands Skamania Lodge, a destination resort for travelers from around the world.

Skamania is part of the Destination Resorts family that owns Sunriver Resort, Suncadia Resort and others, so you can be certain that you will receive the finest service and accomodations. The resort, which overlooks the Columbia River is aptly named, as there are also over 70 waterfalls nearby, including the famous Multnomah Falls, which, at 620 feet, is the fifth highest waterfall in the United States.

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One of the great things about golf is that avid golfers appreciate variety. Its not necessarily about the rankings or playing courses in the Top 100 list. I would venture to say that for a majority of golfers their favorite course is their favorite because of a unique hole, a great setting, old memories, etc. Lake Oswego Golf Course falls into this category, its a fun course to play and add some variety to your game.

Lake Oswego offers more than just a golf course, the lighted practice range is unique in the Portland area and presents a great way to enjoy the game of golf after the sun has dropped. The 18 stall range is partially covered and also features several heated stalls as well for year round play.

Lake Oswego is a par three course (par 54) and measures in at just over 2500-yards. Its a great course for beginners to learn how to play golf and develop the necessary shots to lower their scores. But it's also a great course for the advanced player as well. It's not often you can put the driver away for the day and work on your wedge game and short game for 18 holes. They say you score from 150-yards and in and Lake Oswego Golf Course can help you with that part of your game. So give your buddy a call or head out to Lake Oswego with your spouse for a fun round of golf that will be sure to create some fun memories and great moments.

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OGA Golf Course -- Woodburn, Oregon

In 1991, the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) commissioned a study to determine the feasibility of constructing an 18-hole golf course and the financing requirements to undertake such a monumental project. The study determined that the cost of the project, depending on its location, would most likely rule out the dream of the OGA having its own facility, barring an unforeseen miracle.

That miracle came in early 1992 when the OGA was approached with an astonishing offer from Tukwila Partners Development Corporation. They were willing to donate more than 179 acres of farmland alongside their real estate development in Woodburn, Ore., for the purpose of constructing and operating a golf course on the land.

Throughout the year the OGA Golf Course plays host to some of the states best amateur players by hosting a multitude of Oregon Golf Association events. In 1996 Golf Digest named the OGA Golf Course to the Top 10 Most Affordable Golf Course List. And from 2004 to 2007 Golf Digest named them as one of the Top 8 Golf Courses in the Region. The OGA Golf Course is a great value for the golfer, providing a championship golf experience at more than affordable greens fees. On your way through the area take a turn off Interstate 5 and enjoy a round of golf at the home of golf in Oregon, The OGA Golf Course.

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Lewis River Golf Course - Woodland, WA

Located 30 minutes north of Portland and just a few minutes (5 miles) east of I-5 at exit 21 (Woodland, Wa.), the Lewis River Golf Course is tucked between the North Fork of the beautiful Lewis River and the evergreen foothills of the Cascade mountains. The golf course environment contains numerous species of shrubs and trees, framing the beautiful Pacific Northwest valley and the scenic Cascade foothills. The tree-lined fairways require accuracy to score well, and the greens, with challenging contours, are some of the finest you'll putt on in the northwest.

Lewis River Golf Course opened for business in 1967. The course started out as a 9-hole facility opening all 18-holes in 1969. Since then, the course has experienced many changes. A flood in 1996 destroyed six of the nine holes on the back nine. The holes were completely rebuilt adding new and challenging changes. Between 1996 and 2000 three of the holes on the front nine were also rebuilt adding distance and beauty to the already scenic setting. The previous clubhouse burnt down and facilitated one of the biggest changes at Lewis River, a new clubhouse. The clubhouse has a commanding presence and is a northwest lodge style design, a great spot for events, weddings or just relaxing with a beer after a round.

The number one handicap hole at Lewis River is a big one, the par five 12^th hole is a monstrous 647-yards from the tips. Plan on playing this hole in three shots and being happy with a par and sometimes even a bogey if you happen to hit one sideways during your trek down this monster.

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Colwood National Golf Club - Portland, Oregon
Meriwether National Golf Club - Hillsboro, Oregon

Colwood National Golf Club is a perfect place to escape from urban pursuits. Located in north Portland, it is easily acessible from both I-5 and I-205. With 18 challenging holes, Colwood's beautiful park-like setting--straddling the wildlife-rich Columbia and Whitaker Sloughs--makes it a welcoming oasis despite its proximity to the cities of Portland and Vancouver.

Colwood is open year-round, with carefully manicured greens and superb drainage providing maximum playability from January through December. Broad, forgiving fairways and gentle terrain welcome golfers of all abilities, while bunkers and water hazards keep it challenging. The course stretches nearly 6200-yards and features numerous holes that are unique and challenging at the same time.

Situated in the Tualatin Valley countryside, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Portland, the quiet, pastoral setting of Meriwether National Golf Club is the perfect counterpoint to the pressures of the city.

Surrounded by rich farmland and flanked by the meandering Tualatin River, Meriwether's rolling terrain is rich in natural beauty. The course features 27 regulation holes with a mix of open spaces, trees, ponds and indigenous birds and wildlife. No matter the nines you play Meriwether is going to pace out at about 6700-yards, a very respectable distance that can easily create plenty of opportunities for trouble during your round. Depending upon the time of year and wind conditions, the course can really stretch out so don't be fooled by the scorecard, as they say in Oregon, if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes.

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Indian Creek Golf Course

What some people aren’t aware of is how close Indian Creek Golf Course is to Portland. By driving a reasonable 50 miles on a beautiful and scenic route (the first National Scenic Area in the United States) you can reach Indian Creek. The course is situated in the beautiful Hood River Valley surrounded by orchards and wineries. There are spectacular views of Mt. Hood to the south and Mt. Adams to the north. Views of these snow capped peaks follow you the entire afternoon as you make your way around the course.

Indian Creek Golf Course got its name from one of the three creeks that makes its way through the course. At 6150-yards the course places a premium on accurate shot making and requires some creativity to get up and down as well. Eleven of the holes have water in play and provide sanctuary for the wildlife.

The 4th hole is the number one handicap hole, a par four that is an intimidating 497 yards. This is the most difficult hole at Indian Creek course. The entire fairway slopes toward the hazard down the right side. Consider playing a safe second shot before approaching the long, narrow green on your third. The 4th hole requires accurate shots all the way to the cup.

Golf Digest says Indian Creek is a must play. "Some of the best greens anywhere and a friendly staff that is one of the best experiences and most scenic course in Oregon."

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