Pumpkin Ridge - Ghost Creek

[Hutch306]

I played Pumpkin Ridge today. What an awesome experience. The course was great, the weather was perfect. It was around 75 degrees, sunshine all day, a slight breeze coming out of the north. Beautiful.

 

As far as the course goes, it was a great setup. The front 9 tended to be a bit more "closed" in with trees, but it's still a pretty open course. The back 9 felt like it opened up a bit more and had a lot more panoramic views of the mountains and fields. Playing from the whites, there were a few holes that were very, very easy (10 comes to mind). However, there were a couple that really made you plan your shot and then commit to it. The course was fairly dry and required a lot of bump and runs. It was fun, as it required some creativity. The greens had just been top dressed, but it really didn't detract from my experience in the least. There were a couple of really deceptive breaks, but that might have been because of the top dressing). They were still in really good shape. The kid in the clubhouse was extremely friendly and welcoming. I didn't get to stay for a meal and beer after the round, so someone will have to fill in that part of the review for me. I ended up shooting 42-35-77. All in all, I would highly recommend it to anybody.

 

 

I jumped in with a pairing of guys from the Portland area. They were super laid back, easy to talk to and fun to play with. If you two read this, I really appreciated getting to play with you guys!

[mallrat]

I've played here a few times and it can be a fun course but 2 of my 6 rounds there have been over 6 hours and that just ruins a day for me.

How was the rough? When it's damp and the rough is grown in it leads to long rounds

[Hutch306]

The rough was dry. It was very thick and took me a few holes to figure out how to get out of it. I played on a Monday afternoon, and the total time took 3:45.

[mac94]

Played there a few years ago on a trip to Bandon. It was a really fun course. Met Wedgie Winchester on the driving range taping an infomercial for some goofy discs you place under you feet. There was hardly anyone else on the course when we played in a late July afternoon.

As I recall, the creek is manmade for the course and disappears underground and reappears elsewhere on the course. Hence the name "Ghost Creek."

[sabram]

I had my only hole in one there. Here's a link to a photo tour of Ghost Creek: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631879612069/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631879612069/[/url]

[oregongolf]

Nice course, but hugely overrated unless you're playing it in July or August.

I will say, Witch is probably one of the nicest courses within 3 hours of Portland. It's just too bad that the better of the two courses is private.

[bpgolf85]

[quote name='jon2' timestamp='1371175966' post='7236628']
Nice course, but hugely overrated unless you're playing it in July or August.

I will say, Witch is probably one of the nicest courses within 3 hours of Portland. It's just too bad that the better of the two courses is private.
[/quote]

Why do you think it is overrated? I played it last weekend and am from Chicago. I thought it was an awesome course. Fair and challenging. Great views and greens. The only thing I did not care for was the clubhouse and staff but that didn't alter my view of the overall course.

[mallrat]

IMO, it's not worth the price. That might contribute to it being overrated.

Oregon has so many fun courses that are almost half the price. Still a nice course though

[TheGeekGolfer]

[quote name='mallrat' timestamp='1370971522' post='7214780']
I've played here a few times and it can be a fun course but 2 of my 6 rounds there have been over 6 hours and that just ruins a day for me.

How was the rough? When it's damp and the rough is grown in it leads to long rounds
[/quote]Just played it 2 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, teed off at 2:45pm. It was WIDE OPEN, just me and my bro, just over 4 hours. No hurry at all. Best thing, it was a GolfNow 'Hot Deal' then we had a coupon code for BOGO, so it was $33 each to play. Not too shabby! Had a horrible front nine, but got it switched around on the back to at least post in the 80s.

[danimal]

Ghost is a great course. I've had their annual pass for several years now and enjoy the layout. I'm an early riser so I usually am out in the first few groups and play in under 4:30. I recommend playing the course when it's set up for the LPGA event. It's fun to pay the course with all the bleachers set up and tournament conditions. I hear they are getting a web.com event next year. Does anyone have more details on that?

[mallrat]

From my understanding they gave up the LPGA event for the Web.com event.


LPGA is at Columbia Edgewater this year. Place is a pain in the butt to get too and I think Pumpkin is such a better course

[Mr22putt]

[quote name='mallrat' timestamp='1371877754' post='7301686']
From my understanding they gave up the LPGA event for the Web.com event.

[size=4]LPGA is at Columbia Edgewater this year. Place is a pain in the butt to get too and I think Pumpkin is such a better course[/size]
[/quote]

I travel from Vanc., BC to attend the Safeway Classic....I'm happy it's back to Columbia.....more hotel offerings, shopping and restaurants nearby.
I'm sure the LPGA pros are happier too considering the airport is less than 10 mins away.
Pumpkin was too far out in the boonies.

IMO.....the Ghost is not a good value for the rack rate green fee....but as a member above played it for $33....that's a steal.

I anticipate attended the Safeway later in August.

Oh ya....I luv Oregon....NO SALES TAX.

[Not Far From Par]

[size=4]I usually play Ghost 1x per year when in town for another tourn. I play every year..[/size]
[size=4]Play it with a member of Witch, but can't get out early enough to play, & drive home.. (Witch doesn't allow non-members out until after 10? or 11? or something)[/size]
[size=4]Ghost Creek is a fun track.. Not too difficult to find your way around the course.. [/size]
[size=4]& OP is right about hole 10.. I went 19* hybrid/4-wood into the green..[/size]
[size=4]I still use my Ghost ball marker every round that has removable center, & yardage/handicap per hole.. Really cool marker.. I've seen several courses that have them... There like $25!![/size]

[jbbates]

I play out at Ghost Creek often and think it's a great course and can be challenging if your game is a little off. It has a few holes that are short with danger everywhere. The ruff is also brutally thick. Not the longest stuff but if you don't hit the gym you're in for trouble. The front nine is tighter and more challenging (heard member say it was hardest off both courses and the back the easiest) with #9 being a pretty brutal 4 with #10 being a simple short p5. #18 is a slightly easier mirror image of #9. Played 2 weeks ago in about 4.25hrs, had a beer on the deck and noticed the 1st tee was open with very few people looking to go out. Hit the club house and out we went again. Since we had the tees to ourselves I played the max yardage of the course and that was very fun. #8 difference between blacks and blues was 90 yards! The interesting part is I played much better from the tips.

The course does not drain well in the winter so it's very soggy but if you have a the yearly pass it's $35 and $20 for twilight if I remember correctly. Course always has deer around and is very green with big trees. Rounds typically are a little over 5 hrs when busy. I haven't had a 6 hr round but plenty at 5.5 hrs. Witch Hollow the private side is very nice. I've only played it twice and don't really remember it being much better. I do remember a couple of holes (#18) that were very nice. Hoping to get back out on it later this year.