Author: kris

As soon you get out of your car at Bandon Crossings, it’s easy to see that the course is well-loved by the locals and more laid back than the resort up the road. The modest pro shop is full of great golf gear and the practice facilities are everything you need to prep for your round of golf. An added bonus is that the prices are extremely affordable.

Crossings allows players to ride in carts, a welcome accommodation with some of the hills the course is built on and around.

Designed in 2007 by northwest designer Dan Hixson, Bandon Crossings gave the locals of Coos County a championship course to play without the high greens fees of the Bandon Dunes Resort. Set on the east side of Highway 101, Bandon Crossings feels like one of the great golf courses that you can find scattered throughout the region. Elevation changes, a variety of native trees, and water that crosses the fairways and protects the greens.

The holes featured varied lengths, shapes, and directions to keep you interested throughout the round. Long hitters will find some of the holes, especially a couple of the par fives, pretty easy to navigate from the tee. However, Hixson used the greens to protect the course from players who bomb the ball. 

“There are no gimmie putts out there,” said Head Professional Jim Wakeman. “If your ball finds the wrong position on the green, two putts are at a premium.”

In keeping with the spirit of catering to the local community, Bandon Crossings promotes golf to new and young players. The course offers what it calls the ‘North Nine,’ a collection of holes that are built on the flattest terrain on the property, making it an easy outing for the entire family. The North Nine includes holes 1-5 (alternate green on the fifth hole) and holes 15-18.

Bandon Crossings is a course that you shouldn’t miss on your next trip to Bandon Dunes.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year and less than 7 inches of rainfall, Horn Rapids offers year-round golfing. The Links at Horn Rapids is one of the best desert courses in the Pacific Northwest and an experience you won’t want to pass up.

Winding through the sand and sage of the natural desert, Horn Rapids provides a brilliant contrast of greens backed by desert colors and set against the backdrop of Rattlesnake  Mountain. This desert course features narrow fairways lined by sagebrush and a standard cut of rough. The small greens are undulating and fast, and the terrain is rolling. 

The signature hole is #13, 156 yard par 3 that overlooks the Yakima River and a beautiful Rattlesnake Mountain. All 5 Tees are rated for both men and ladies.

Horn Rapids is one of the few courses out there that doesn’t have holes that run parallel to one another. Unless you find yourself on one of the higher points of the property, it’s possible to go the entire day without seeing anyone but the groups in front or behind you.

The course, on the outside of the Tri-Cities, has undergone an ownership change in the last few years and the new owners are embracing the potential that the layout has to offer. With plenty of property around the golf course, new homes are being built and money put into the course to improve its conditions and playability.

Included in those improvements are a new irrigation system, a practice facility, and new clubhouse. Since the purchase, both fairways and greens have seen a marked improvement.

Not every course in Southern California was designed as a place of worship to professional golf. Many courses, like Castle Creek Country Club in Escondido, offer public golf that both fun and well-priced for players of all abilities.

At Castle Creek, it’s all about fun when it comes to golf. The greens fees are a steal at $50 or less, the food and beverage is inexpensive, and everyone working there is friendly and accommodating. It’s the kind of place you want to play and then hang around on the patio for a drink or two afterwards.

Opened in 1948 as a Jack Daray design before a later rework by Perry Dye, Castle Creek features a relatively easy front nine that sets the stage for a much more difficult finishing nine. Starters constantly hear players say that they shot their best nine ever when making the turn, only to have their hopes of a career round crushed on the back.

What gets them? It starts with three holes (a par four and two par fives) that are narrow and difficult. They’re excellent golf holes, just difficult ones that require strategy off the tee. After that, water comes into play.

A creek runs across holes 13, 14, 16, and 17, languidly waiting to snatch balls that are off-line. The toughest of those – the 418-yard par four 14th – sports the creek running in front of the tee box and then down the entire left side of the hole before cutting back in front of the green.

It’s all about holding on for dear life on the way into Castle Creeks clubhouse.

Prospector Golf Course

The first of two public golf courses at the Suncadia Resort, Prospector is a phenomenal Arnold Palmer designed golf course. Spread out over 7,100 yards from the tips, the course offers non-stop views of the valley and surrounding forests.

A true mountain golf course, Prospector features rolling fairways and fast greens. Many of the holes are well-bunkered – both along the fairways and around the greens. Many holes have water that present a series of risk-reward opportunities for players looking to score low.

The fifth hole is an excellent example of that risk-reward mentality. The short par four measures between 300 and 340 and offers players two paths: straight-away at a green guarded by water or around that water with a couple of shorter shots. This hole is a great chance at birdie if you plan ahead.

Prospector offers a practice range, private instruction, junior golf, group instruction, and golf clinics for all ages and skills. Golfers may select a program or collaborate with PGA Teaching Professionals to customize a lesson program.

The Prospector Golf Shop, located next to The Inn, features clothing, equipment, and accessories for the whole family. The Lunch Bucket at the Turn, located on the Prospector’s 9th hole, serves sandwiches, snacks and beverages. The cheeseburgers at the turn are excellent.

Rope Rider Golf Course

On the other side of the resort, the Rope Rider course couldn’t be more different from its older sibling. The Jacobsen-Hardy designed course is great for families and beginners, but offers plenty of challenges for more accomplished players.

Built along the site of the historic Roslyn Mines and was named to honor the miners who balanced themselves on the roped coal cars as they moved up and down the steep mine shafts. One mine entrance is still available for viewing near the course parking lot.

Rope Rider measures more than 7,300 yards from the tips but features youth tees on every hole and offers shorter three- and six-hole loops for quick outings with the kids.

The finishing stretch of holes are a real treat, concluding with the medium-length par four 18th. The slight dogleg left works uphill and away from the 120’ high coal tailing on the right side of the fairway. Players will find a green sloped from to back in the shadow of the clubhouse to end the day.

The Resort

With more than 6,000 acres of forested mountain landscape, Suncadia’s wealth of year round activities make for a perfect Pacific Northwest escape. A picturesque Washington State resort, with 40+ miles of hiking and biking trails, three championship golf courses, local wining & dining, and world class spa treatments.

Nestled on the sun soaked slopes of the Central Washington Cascade Mountains, Suncadia is a special place. Designed as a premium resort, Suncadia is just 80 miles east of Seattle and offers an excellent selection of lodging and activity options that will fit all families.

It all starts with the lodging, and Suncadia has several different options: The Inn, The Lodge, and condominium and home rentals. 

The Lodge is the biggest building on the property, featuring a stunning view of the Cle Elum River Valley and Tumble Creek, as well as Mount Baldy and the rest of the Cascade Mountains. It’s a true full-service luxury hotel that’s great for families and business travelers. The guest rooms in the lodge welcome guests with premium bedding, high definition televisions, and even small kitchenettes for those who just want to make a quick snack. Nothing about the rooms feels cramped, making a stay comfortable and luxurious.

The Inn is an intimate lodge with 14 rooms with golf course views. And, finally, the condos and vacation homes are spread throughout the property with an excellent selection of bedrooms and amenities.

It’s easy to look at Suncadia as a golf resort, but the fact is that it’s much more than that. Depending on the season, guests should expect to use their hiking boots, bikes, golf clubs, snowshoes, or skis. Don’t worry, if you forgot equipment or just want to try out something new, Suncadia’s rental services can get you set up.

The point is, Suncadia acts as the perfect base camp from which to start any activity.

In addition to the two public golf courses features on the left, Suncadia members also have access to Tumble Creek, an exclusive private club just down the road.