September 16, 2020 News

Popular pro killed in crash


It doesn’t happen everyday, but sometimes a breaking story hits really close to home. That was the case earlier this summer when news broke that Sean Fredrickson, the head professional at Oswego Lake Country Club – and president of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA – was killed in a plane crash. The accident, at Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, also claimed the lives of his three children.

“The loss of Sean Fredrickson and his children Hayden, Sofie and Quinn is devastating,” Oswego Lake general manager Bryan Fisher said in a statement. “Sean was an exceptional golf professional who was awarded the PGA Professional of the Year honor in 2019 by the Pacific Northwest Section PGA. Oswego Lake Country Club was honored to have him as a member of our family. His positive spirit and joy for the game of golf was contagious. But more importantly, Sean was a tremendous husband, father and friend. Our love and heartfelt sympathy goes to his wife, April, his family and friends during this time of loss.”

In all, eight people were killed when two planes collided over the lake. 

Prior to working at Oswego Lake Country Club, Fredrickson spent 14 years at Tualatin Country Club. In the months and years to come, Fisher plans to work with the country club to honor Fredrickson. He said he would consider a golf tournament named after him, or name recently built facilities after him, too.

“So much of what Sean was about was about mentoring,” Fisher said. “He was really big on trying to build that.”

“A rising star in the PGA, Sean led the Section through an unprecedented time, first taking the reins a year early as president and then leading us wisely through this pandemic,” the Pacific Northwest PGA Section said in a statement. “We are all better because of Sean’s leadership over the past 12 years.”

Response to Fredrickson’s death is a reminder of the role golf professionals play in the lives of the community they work in. Members of Fredrickson’s former and current clubs, as well as playing professionals around the region, have posted tributes to someone they feel did a great job for golfers and community members.

June 12, 2020 Course Features, News

Bandon continues to amaze with Sheep Ranch

For years, the property just north of Bandon Dunes was the stuff of legend, a free-form course that wasn’t easy to access.

Despite 20 years of acclaim, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort continues to find new ways to stay relevant and remain on every golfer’s bucket list. June 1, 2020 saw the official opening of the resort’s sixth golf course: Sheep Ranch.

For years, visitors to Bandon Dunes heard tales of the Sheep Ranch, an oceanfront property just north of Old Macdonald. Those who had the opportunity to play there – it was a wild collection of tee boxes and greens – knew it was likely some of the most stunning property on the resort. Now, it’s a championship course available to all resort guests.

Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw – the duo responsible for Bandon Trails and Bandon Preserve – Sheep Ranch presented something of a challenge. The site earned its breathtaking ocean views by virtue of being perched high above the beach. Because the smallish site was trapped between steep bluffs and a deep ravine, Coore and Crenshaw had to design a smart, concise route that maximized usage of the land along the ocean.

Coore spent several days walking the site with Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser and his business partner, Phil Friedmann. The latter had always considered the Sheep Ranch a hidden gem that he cherished; Coore convinced him that it could be something greater.

Recognizing the potential along the coastline was easy, but Coore knew that making compelling holes inland was equally important. With that in mind, he worked from the coastline inwards, occasionally placing the tees for two holes (2 and 18, 5 and 15, and 8 and 10) in proximity to create width.

“You can’t have holes that are strictly parallel because of the wind,” Coore says. “We tried to cluster tees for holes. That means you can get tees in a small area, but radiate from different angles and create wider playing areas. The places you’re playing golf are almost like a piece of pizza—you’re playing from the center out. And that’s the way you make it interesting and create different holes. We’ve done it a time or two at other places, but never as frequently as at the Sheep Ranch.”

The result is an incredible, old school routing that really feels in touch with the origins of the game, and the Bandon ethos of not placing too much emphasis on length. Coore says the course is different than any at Bandon Dunes, comparing it to Cabot Cliffs in places. However, even that comparison doesn’t quite fit, as the coastline at Sheep Ranch is far less linear, allowing the golfer to strategically challenge the rugged cliffs for position on several holes.

One thing that’s unique about the Sheep Ranch is the lack of formal bunkers. It was a decision that saves on maintenance – sand blows out of the bunkers at Bandon – and gives the course a unique feel. Instead of bunkers, the course features grassy areas reminiscent of long-abandoned bunkers. “I think golfers are going to find them very interesting,” Coore said.

The question now becomes whether or not Sheep Ranch will be the swan song for Bandon Dunes. Keiser has been quick to say that Sheep Ranch will, indeed, be the last full course built at Bandon. “With the completion of Sheep Ranch, we’ve used all the great land.”

The property features five full-length courses, a par-three course, a putting course, and a world-class practice facility. With a variety of lodging options on-site and around the area, it’s a destination that’s accessible to everyone.

With the potential for Sheep Ranch to be on everyone’s mind in 2020, it’s probably best to book your trip now. If you wait, you may find yourself waiting for a round on the ranch.

June 12, 2020 Course Features

Mountain View Golf Course – Boring, OR

Established in 1964, Mountain View Golf Club offers an 18-hole golf experience filled with characteristic holes and breathtaking views of beautiful Mt. Hood.

Despite its rural location, Mountain View is a course that just about everyone in the Portland, Oregon area has played. Thanks to excellent rates and the club’s willingness to host outside fundraiser events, it’s a place golfers are willing to drive to regularly.

The challenge really starts from the very first hole, with a tight tee shot guarded on the right by trees and OB stakes. From there, the course continues to give you tight looks off the tee until you get to the turn and things open up a bit. Course conditions, especially the greens, are excellent.

Mountain View’s signature hole is the par-three 12th. Voted the second most interesting hole in Oregon by the public in the Oregon Golf Association’s “Most Interesting Hole Series” in 2017, it’s a 184-yard shot from the blue tees (pictured right). Regulars tell you that whatever club you hit on the 140-yard 10th hole is the same club you’ll hit on the 12th hole. It drops nearly 200-feet from tee to green

In addition to great golf, Mountain View also offers a covered driving range, a chipping area, and generous putting green. The local professionals are available for lessons and can get you the latest gear from their large pro shop. The clubhouse also features a turn-stand, a breakfast/lunch cafe, and a full restaurant.

June 12, 2020 Course Features

TPC Harding Park – San Francisco, CA

Offering an unparalleled level of play and challenge for golfers of every ability.

If you’re going to visit Pebble Beach, chances are you’ll fly into the San Francisco area and then drive out to Monterey. If you fly in early enough, it’s probably a good idea to get a warm-up round in before challenging golf on the coast.

TPC Harding Park, a municipal championship course, is the perfect spot to stop.

The Harding Park Course was substantially renovated in 2005 to better suit it for PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events. The restoration of Harding Park focused on maintaining the course’s integrity and unique characteristics while enhancing the original layout designed by world-renowned golf architects Willie Watson and Sam Whiting in 1925.

Set against the cypress tree-lined Lake Merced, the improved Harding Park Course layout features soft bunkers and graceful undulating fairways. An additional 400 yards was also added to the course to make it a championship-caliber golf facility ready for PGA TOUR action.

Since that renovation, the course has hosted two World Golf Championship events, the 2009 President’s Cup, and three PGA Champions Tour events.

June 12, 2020 Course Features

Avalon Golf Links – Burlington, WA

Located just an hour north of downtown Seattle, Avalon Golf Links has rebounded from the early part of the century and is flourishing. Avalon was the host site of the 1994 and 2001 US Open Qualifier, host site of the 2007 Pacific Northwest PGA Senior Championship and 2009 Pacific Northwest PGA Championship.

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Glendoveer
April 1, 2020 Course Features

Glendoveer Golf Course – Portland, OR

Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon is a public golf course that plays host to thousands of rounds per year. Owned by regional agency METRO, Glendoveer has grown from a suburban club built in 1926 to a center of community and neighborhood activity. With two golf courses, a tennis facility, and dedicated walking and running trail, the facility has something for just about everyone.

The East Course is the more difficult of the two courses at Glendoveer. The round starts with a short par four with water on the right side, and a bunker on the left. A tee shot that lands between those two hazards will usually leave about 135 yards into a small, fast green tucked behind a greenside bunker. Pretty typical of the challenge golfers face throughout the round. 

The course has a great layout with several challenging holes throughout the round and, if you’re feeling your oats, a drivable par 4. Accuracy off the tee is a very important part of scoring on this course as it plays long and uphill with several blind tee shots. Course conditions are well maintained, including smooth and fast greens. 

The West Course, added in 1928, is considered easier with wider fairways and fewer bunkers. Both courses, however, are walkable and fun to play.

The practice facility has several practice greens and a double-decker driving range with plenty of space to work on your game, loosen up your swing or practice your long shots before you head out on the course. The entire facility, both golf and practice, are perfect for junior players looking for an affordable place to work on their games. For those under 18 years of age, the course participates in the Youth on Course program, offering $5.00 greens fees for registered players.

The staff includes a few instructors, so if you find yourself struggling or need some suggestions on how to improve your game, you can purchase lessons for a very reasonable price. 

Glendoveer also offers tennis options if you want to change up your daily workout with private lessons, city league teams, or memberships. 

The facility has also played host to some of Portland’s most popular restaurants. Currently, Von Ebberts Brewing calls Glendoveer home, offering excellent food options and micro-brews to players making the turn or looking to settle their bets after a round.

For more information about Glendoveer or to book a tee time, visit www.playglendoveer.com.

Firecliff at Desert Willow
April 1, 2020 Course Features

Firecliff at Desert Willow – Palm Desert, CA

Desert Willow Golf Resort, nestled in the heart of Palm Desert, offers 36 holes of championship desert golf on layouts designed by Mike Hurdzan, Dana Fry and PGA Tour professional John Cook. The Firecliff and Mountain View courses have been rated 4 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest Places to Play, with each providing five sets of tees that make a challenging test for experienced players, while also providing a fun and rewarding round for amateurs.

The Desert Willow layouts provide all the excitement and vistas of desert golf, without the long forced carries that are sometimes prevalent on these types of layouts. There are some natural desert areas to carry, but the tee shots are reasonable in length.

On property is a beautiful clubhouse that features a wonderful pro shop, locker room facilities, restaurant & lounge that provides an extensive lunch menu, and an outdoor patio that affords spectacular golf course views. There is a full service practice facility with targeted grass range, putting greens and short game area. Pro Link GPS is standard on all carts, as are ball & club washers and ice chests.

At Firecliff, golfers will notice immediately the intricately designed sand bunkers that are strategically located along the well manicured fairways, and near the mildly undulating green complexes. In total there are 100 bunkers – though their intricate designs makes it feel like more. The desert waste areas that help define the fairways are cleaned out so that recoveries are sometimes possible.

The finely sculpted tee boxes are adorned with wildflowers and landscaped shrubbery, and are layered with desert in between – reminding one that this is truly a desert layout. The setting is pristine and spectacular, with mountain views and natural areas highlighting an experience that all levels of players will appreciate. Water hazards on seven of the holes also add to the aesthetic experience and challenge.

Trophy Lake
April 1, 2020 Course Features

Trophy Lake Golf & Casting – Port Orchard, WA

Though just a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, Trophy Lake Golf and Casting Club feels like you’re a million miles away from civilization. Set on the Kitsap Peninsula, the area is surrounded by water on three sides and offers some of the best views of forests and mountains available to golfers.

Trophy LakeTrophy Lake is unique in offering not only golf, but also fishing. The ponds and lakes are full of rainbow trout, bass, and more. Throughout a round, you’ll encounter serious anglers trying to land a trophy fish.

It is the golf, however, that will leave a more lasting impression, or mark, if you prefer. Trophy Lake boasts a front nine difficult enough to challenge the best players. The yardage from the championship tees is listed as a paltry 3,376 on the scorecard, but plays much longer. The back nine, while playing to a longer yardage of 3380, seems a breeze compared with the brutal front nine.

With so many excellent holes and views to choose from, it’s hard to pick a true signature hole for Trophy Lake. Employees in the pro shop said the course really has 18 signature holes. However, the par-4 fourth and par-5 eighteenth stuck out when all was said and done.

The fourth hole stretches to 441-yards, all of it playing uphill and into the wind. It’s easy to miss this green because of the long approach shot, making this a scramble hole for sure.

Trophy LakeThe 18th hole is just a great finishing hole, Measuring 532 yards, the par-5 offers a chance for big hitters to go for it in two, but with a shallow green and a creek in front, the best chance for birdie is a lay-up.

In all, Trophy Lake is a reasonable priced round of golf that will challenge everyone in your foursome. It has the amenities you’d expect and is a nice course to walk.

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