Interstate freeways are an excellent way to get from one place to another on the West Coast. Sometimes, though, the convenience those freeways offer can take you around some pretty great places. That couldn’t be more true than for golfers flying along Interstate 84 in Eastern Oregon. In the blink of an eye, I-84 takes you past La Grande and Baker City, away from the charming town of Union and its hidden gem of a golf course: Buffalo Peak.
Leaving the interstate and heading east takes you off the beaten path and through a little slice of Americana. The City of Union is an agricultural community of just over 2,000 people situated on the banks of Catherine Creek. The main route through town presents visitors with a mix of idyllic country homes and brick faced shops, hotels, and cafes.
Surrounding the entire area are rolling hills and wheat fields, with the beauty of the Wallowa Mountains looming in the distance.
Buffalo Peak Golf Course, celebrating its 20-year Anniversary, sits just outside of town, with holes running up and down the hills around a series of ponds and streams. From the deck on the back of the proshop, the course doesn’t look particularly intimidating, but once on the first tee, it’s easy to see that both fairways and greens are surrounded by deep fescue that’s difficult to find balls in. In other words, keep that ball in the middle.
“The fairways are narrow,” said Buffalo Peak’s head professional Dana Londin. “In fact, the course has had to be softened up since its opening because it was just so difficult to play. Now, it’s a very enjoyable, yet challenging course.”
With an impressive variety to each hole at Buffalo Peak, it’s difficult to to pick a signature hole. One of the most interesting holes, though, is the par 4 14th.
Coming off a great birdie opportunity on 13, the 14th hole is anything but easy. A lake cuts across the hole just in front of the forward tees and then again roughly 215 yards from the tee. A tee shot of 225-yards is needed to clear the hazard, otherwise a layup is recommended. Those clearing the water, however, will be met with bunkers on either side of the fairway and O.B. stakes along the entire right side of the hole. A long, narrow green completes what is one of the most difficult holes on the course.
“There are so many shots out there that you don’t have to hit that often,” added Londin. “There are a lot of different looks that you won’t find at any other course. It’s a true inland links golf course.”
While the golf at Buffalo Peak is amazing, it’s about what the facility wants to offer the community in the future that’s really exciting.
“We’re the only public golf course between Pendleton and Ontario and we plan to build on that,” said Londin. “In the near future, we’ll have more food and beverage options and a pro-shop that people will feel comfortable knowing they’ll find what they need. Local players will also be excited as we continue to grow our Men’s, Women’s, and Juniors programs.”
Buffalo Peak is only a 15-minute drive off the freeway, making it easy to get off, play a round, and then continue traveling. The City of Union, however, is inviting enough to stay for the night and take another crack at the course before moving on.
The historic Union Hotel is a welcome change from the cookie cutter corporate hotels that most golf trips involve. A massive brick building in the center of town, the Union Hotel has 15 themed rooms that speak to the history of the area. The hotel also offers a relaxing parlour that all guests have access to. Even guests traveling with an RV are welcome in one of the Union Hotel’s eight full-hookup RV sites along the river.
A little further down the road, the Hot Lake Resort offers rooms and RV parking.
If you’re considering a trip to Buffalo Peak, definitely plan ahead and look at the weather, it can get cold in the winter! The prevailing winds in the Spring, Summer, and Fall all offer different looks at the course.