Country Clubs near Portland/ Vancouver

[edryer3]

Just wanted to know if anyone has recently looked at getting a membership in the Portland/ Vancouver area. We live on the eastside of Vancouver near Camas. Looking for family friendly that has a good junior programs for my kids who are 9 and 12. That also has a pool for the summer that would be nice but not a deal breaker. I’ve emailed these clubs to find out more but curious on your personal experience. The ones I have looked online is:

 

Royal Oaks (the most expensive)

Columbia Edgewater

Riverside

Orchard Hills (Cheapest w/ no pool)

 

Has anyone played Orchard Hills? Decent track? Don’t know much on the junior programs. Thanks for the input!

 

Edited August 23, 2020 by edryer3

[mallrat]

IMO, stay away from Riverside and never heard of Orchard Hills. Royal Oaks and CECC are a toss up. Which is closer? Very different courses, IMO but both very playable. 
 

Membership is something I don’t know about at either

[edryer3]

13 minutes ago, mallrat said:

IMO, stay away from Riverside and never heard of Orchard Hills. Royal Oaks and CECC are a toss up. Which is closer? Very different courses, IMO but both very playable. 
 

Membership is something I don’t know about at either

What’s up with Riverside? Just curious and Orchard Hills is a small club in Washougal/ Camas area. Be mostly for playing as much golf as possible on the cheap 

[mallrat]

I don’t like the layout personally. Hate that it backs to a prison and the prisoners heckle you, just weird to me. The range uses flight restricted balls which drives me nuts. But those are my issues. 

[edryer3]

27 minutes ago, mallrat said:

I don’t like the layout personally. Hate that it backs to a prison and the prisoners heckle you, just weird to me. The range uses flight restricted balls which drives me nuts. But those are my issues. 

Yeah that makes sense for sure!! I hate the flighted range balls!! That might be a deal breaker in itself when I just want to practice 

[EricWGolf]

2 hours ago, mallrat said:

...it backs to a prison and the prisoners heckle you...

imsorryexcusemewhat...

[ryu123]

in July 2017 played Columbia-Edgewater.

 

The course felt cramped, with an unusual ‘berm’ or earthen wall that ran north - south near some of the holes.   While my buddy & I didn’t think much of the course, we did like the pool, pleasant nine hole par 3 course, adequate driving range, & the really friendly vibe in the clubhouse. 

[PorkChopExpress]

Tis a while back but Riverside has a hole where they finally put trees/hedging etc.. because the inmates would go up to the fence and do things when golfers (in particular women) would come by. 

Plus Riverside, everything is a dogleg. Some joke that even the par 3's are doglegs. 

 

Royal and Orchard are closest, wouldn't have to cross the bridge. Last I remember, Royal has a good junior program. Royal can play tight and the greens can get speedy. And they got the pool.

Columbia is great all year long. Lots of short game areas. IMO the greens also have the most nuances

 

 

[edryer3]

3 minutes ago, desaille said:

Tis a while back but Riverside has a hole where they finally put trees/hedging etc.. because the inmates would go up to the fence and do things when golfers (in particular women) would come by. 

Plus Riverside, everything is a dogleg. Some joke that even the par 3's are doglegs. 

 

Royal and Orchard are closest, wouldn't have to cross the bridge. Last I remember, Royal has a good junior program. Royal can play tight and the greens can get speedy. And they got the pool.

Columbia is great all year long. Lots of short game areas. IMO the greens also have the most nuances

 

 

have you played Orchards? Any thoughts on the layout?? Thanks

[ernotte]

On 8/23/2020 at 3:23 PM, mallrat said:

I don’t like the layout personally. Hate that it backs to a prison and the prisoners heckle you, just weird to me. The range uses flight restricted balls which drives me nuts. But those are my issues. 

That sounds great! Lol. Toughens you up for the tight matches going down to the wire ?

[PorkChopExpress]

On 8/24/2020 at 2:04 PM, edryer3 said:

have you played Orchards? Any thoughts on the layout?? Thanks

Unfortunately nope. I always like to play any course at least once. 
 

Buddy played there a lot. Def cost effective. Vs royal and cecc

[PorkChopExpress]

Pretty sure you can get onto Orchard and play a round. See if you like the course. 
royal would be harder to get on, think there membership is pretty full. 
cecc is always welcoming to come out and experience the course 

 

 

Edited August 26, 2020 by desaille

[schneidm10]

I’ve played Orchard Hills a couple of times but it’s been a while so things could’ve changed. Front 9 is tight and a little short with a couple of quirky holes. Back 9 is nice on a cool piece of land. Members are great. Range is small though. I think they only allow below 200 yds or something along those lines. I can’t remember for sure but I know it’s not full size. Again this could’ve changed since I’ve been there. 

Edited August 26, 2020 by schneidm10

[HIGGINS30]

I just joined Riverside. Good vibe and not a horrible commute from work in NW. I live in Burlingame and my weekend commute  is under 20 minutes. I was surprised as my first few times out people just introduce themselves to you on the range etc.. very welcoming to new members. I was very skeptical on the range balls also, but you don't even notice.  Pool is closed due to covid, but i would imagine that's the same at most clubs right now? I can't contribute any info on Orchard Hills. My brother was a member at CECC for years and I played out there a quite a bit. Great course and one of the better practice areas. 

[Snowbird15]

On 9/8/2020 at 8:47 PM, HIGGINS30 said:

I just joined Riverside. Good vibe and not a horrible commute from work in NW. I live in Burlingame and my weekend commute  is under 20 minutes. I was surprised as my first few times out people just introduce themselves to you on the range etc.. very welcoming to new members. I was very skeptical on the range balls also, but you don't even notice.  Pool is closed due to covid, but i would imagine that's the same at most clubs right now? I can't contribute any info on Orchard Hills. My brother was a member at CECC for years and I played out there a quite a bit. Great course and one of the better practice areas. 

 

[Snowbird15]

Now that you have been a member of Riverside for over a month, what is your general impression of the course, members and overall feel of the club?  I am seriously looking at joining as I am tired of public courses.

[DarthFader17]

I know this is likely not the best place, but being that this is the only place for SW Washington and Oregon CC's, figured I'd ask. Anyone have any experience at Longview CC? Thinking about moving a little closer to family up that way, and wanted to get a feel for the course.

 

Thanks!

[sac_rob]

Anyone a member (or former member) at Oswego Lake CC? Visited the club last week and was quite impressed with the vibe and facilities. Curious how fun/challenging the course is and how family friendly it is and how good the games are out there. Didn’t have a chance to play it yet nor do I know anyone that has played it so looking to gather some intel.  I’m a low single digit likely moving into the area in 6-9 months. 

[mallrat]

Not sure what membership is like at OLCC. Their Superintendent is outstanding and he turned the club around, golf wise. They were averaging 40 - 60 rounds a day on weekends before he got there and now they have full tee sheets (though you can get a time). I’ve heard it’s a bland course but should be in immaculate condition. I imagine it would be very family oriented. 

[philsRHman]

On 8/23/2020 at 6:23 PM, mallrat said:

Hate that it backs to a prison and the prisoners heckle you, just weird to me. 

This is one of the craziest things I’ve read on this crazy website! 

[oregongolf]

On 12/5/2020 at 9:34 PM, DarthFader17 said:

I know this is likely not the best place, but being that this is the only place for SW Washington and Oregon CC's, figured I'd ask. Anyone have any experience at Longview CC? Thinking about moving a little closer to family up that way, and wanted to get a feel for the course.

 

Thanks!

It's okay, a lot like orchard hills in Washougal. Pretty blue collar, finances aren't great... so condition suffers a little. If greens were 12+ it might be impossible for some people. Tons of slopes >5%.

 

Good people there though. A few pretty good golf holes. 

 

Barren wasteland up there for private golf, so you kinda get what you get. 

Edited January 21, 2021 by oregongolf

[Slyter00]

Royal Oaks consistently has the best greens I’ve played anywhere. It’s a true player course and membership. Best in Vancouver, can’t speak to CECC or Riverside.