Portland / Beaverton / Oregon

Furrankee · February 26, 2007

golf courses

I'm taking a trip in mid April and was looking into the golf courses there. How's Eastmoreland? I understand it's by Reed College and close to the Portland downtown area. I also might play at Redtail in Beaverton? Any other suggestions? How's Heron Lakes?

oregongolf · February 26, 2007

It really depends on how much you're looking to spend.

I suggest The Reserve, Langdon Farms, & Pumpkin Ridge.

The Reserve and Langon can both be played for pretty cheap if you find the right rate. I suggest checking www.golfnow.com

There's lots of courses around, it's just so dependent on your budget rather than much else.

dpark · February 26, 2007

Eastmoreland is a great track, they have held the USGA Pub Links Championship there. However, it doesn't drain really well so if it is raining a lot around that time it will be slushy. There are two courses at Heron Lakes the Great Blue and the Greenback. I prefer the Great Blue but both are nice. All of these are muni courses and will cost less than $40.

I can't stand RedTail. Too Mickey-Mouse for me. Even for the price, I never play there.

If you are willing to go a little more upscale (and drive) I would recommend Pumpkin Ridge Ghost Creek. They held the Nike Tour Championship there a couple of times. It is the sister course to Witch Hollow (where Tiger won his 3rd US Am). It is just as tough as Witch, just doesn't have the exclusivity. Will probably run you around $100.

The other place to try is the Reserve in Aloha. They held the Jeld-Wen there for several years. 2 tracks, very different layouts. Probably around $50-60 in April. Green quality has been an issue over there (stupid greenskeeper fertilized last summer before a major heatwave and burnt virtually all the greens and they are still recovering). If the greens are healthy, its a fun track, if they are still slow, bumpy and inconsistent (like they are now) you will be breaking your putter over your knee before the round is over.

oregongolf · February 26, 2007

Eastmoreland is a great track, they have held the USGA Pub Links Championship there. However, it doesn't drain really well so if it is raining a lot around that time it will be slushy. There are two courses at Heron Lakes the Great Blue and the Greenback. I prefer the Great Blue but both are nice. All of these are muni courses and will cost less than $40.

I can't stand RedTail. Too Mickey-Mouse for me. Even for the price, I never play there.

If you are willing to go a little more upscale (and drive) I would recommend Pumpkin Ridge Ghost Creek. They held the Nike Tour Championship there a couple of times. It is the sister course to Witch Hollow (where Tiger won his 3rd US Am). It is just as tough as Witch, just doesn't have the exclusivity. Will probably run you around $100.

The other place to try is the Reserve in Aloha. They held the Jeld-Wen there for several years. 2 tracks, very different layouts. Probably around $50-60 in April. Green quality has been an issue over there (stupid greenskeeper fertilized last summer before a major heatwave and burnt virtually all the greens and they are still recovering). If the greens are healthy, its a fun track, if they are still slow, bumpy and inconsistent (like they are now) you will be breaking your putter over your knee before the round is over.

You can play The Reserve for $30 via golfnow.com (shoulder rate).

hate23putt · February 27, 2007

The other posters have given good advice. Ghost Creek at Pumpkin Ridge is always first on my list for Portland area courses. It is a great course, with nice scenery. Langdon Farms is my second choice.

One course that I really like is Stone Creek, which is in Oregon City (south east Portland area). I played there during the last week of April 2006, and it was in great shape. It is very reasonably priced. If I recall, it was $35.

woohoo4me · February 27, 2007

Come across the river and play Camas Meadows. Not long, but tight and well kept. The OGA Course in Tukwila is a nice track as well.

Woo

Furrankee · February 27, 2007

From where I'm staying at (Mariott Hotel by one of the bridges (Marquam), it says it takes about 16 miles to get to either Pumpkin Ridge, or The Reserve. It looks quite a bit farther than that. Both seem like they're pretty much in farm country.

woohoo4me · February 27, 2007

Yeah, you're about 30-45 minutes depending on time of day and traffic through the tunnel. You're about 15 to Eastmoreland and Heron Lakes, maybe 20 to Langdon Farms, 30ish to Camas Meadows and the OGA

Woo

oregongolf · February 27, 2007

I totally forgot Camas Meadows. They're under new ownership and the improvements are noticeable.

Stone Creek is a good course for the wet season. It's kept in remarkably good shape for a mid-priced public track.

I don't play it much, but Wildwood has some pretty cheap rates too. It's not on par with any of the other courses mentioned above, but some find it to be pretty fun.

Stone Creek has an unlimited play deal with a cart for $30 or something after 12:45 on some days. That's about as solid as a deal you'll find.

I hate to preach, but definitely check out Golfnow for some of the best rates around.

DeNinny · February 27, 2007

These are all lower budget recommendations...

I'll recommend Eastmoreland and Heron Lakes too. Heron Lakes has some of the best greens around...for a public course. Eastmoreland is challenging with old and tight trees lining many fairways. Plus there may be nutreas running around (they are not guinea pigs on steroids mind you). I would also avoid Redtail too. It is over priced for what you get. I am partial to Wildwood since it has good elevation changes and views and is also cheap. Meriwether is near the Reserve and is cheaper, but not as nice. My work buddies play Broadmoore and recommend it, but I've never been there.

Metalhead · February 27, 2007

Pumpkin, Reserve, Langdon Farms and Blue Heron are all great affordable tracks...with Langdon and Pumpkin draining the best when its wet...and April is going to be wet.....for best results Bandon Dunes!!!(3-4 hours drive from Portland)

nikeguy · March 1, 2007

I would agree with most and say that Pumpkin Ridge (ghost creek) is very nice along with the Reserve which has 2 great tracks.

1) Quail Valley is a hidden gem that is on the way toward Pumpkin Ridge. This would be one that I would recommend. ;)

Oregon during the season has some great golf.

:) :drinks:

lologolf · March 1, 2007

another vote for stonecreek

golfalot333 · March 5, 2007

i love making my way down with my family to Oregon, especially to golf. My favourite courses that I've played are The Reserve, and Pumpkin Ridge. Really great courses that will provide a challenge. Some affordable courses are Eastmoreland (tight), and Redtail (however, I would not recommend this course) and a little further down the OGA. Finally if you're willing to go down even further, Bandon Dunes is a must play.

dpriester · March 6, 2007

Eastmoreland is a very nice course. It has the reputation for slow play. Herron is very nice if you don't mind stepping over, around or through five million goose droppings. From the Marriot, Pumpkin Ridge is 30 minutes away. The Reserve is about 45 minutes and Quail Valley is about 45 minutes. Closer in would be munies: Rose City, Broadmoor and Colwood. Langdon is going to be up to 45 minutes depending on traffic.