There are two really great public play courses I would recommend you check out. One is Eagle Point Golf Course. This is a Robert Trent Jones design and one of his last pieces of work done in his storied career.  It is not expensive and good pace of play.  They are going through bankruptcy but that in no way is effecting the conditions or quality of play at the course.  The other course is Centennial Golf Club.  This is a John Fought design – very wide open and much like a links styled course in the middle of Medford.  They have a great restaurant attached to the pro shop and the head pro there, Vince Domenzian, will take great care of you.

As part of your planning, visit the Southern Oregon Visitor Association’s website. They can tell you a lot about the Southern Oregon area
including all the golf that is to be played.  And if you pick up the latest Golf Digest May issue, there is a six page story on Oregon Golf and it has a lot of great information.

Depending on your handicap and energy level, you can actually play 36 holes a day in Central Oregon….there is just that much golf to be had. As far as top courses, I would recommend you consider the following:

1. Crosswater Golf Club located at Sunriver Resort. If you are a resort guest, you can have access to this top quality course and you’ll love it. There are several tee boxes so depending on your level of play, you can make it as challenging as you like.  Crosswater has hosted several NCAA, PGA Tour and USGA amateur events.  The course is reopening after an extensive renovation the end of May so your timing to play the course is perfect.
2. Brasada Canyons Golf Club at the Brasada Ranch Resort is also a fun course to play. It is located just outside  of the airport area in Powell Butte.  It is a Peter Jacobson design. The best part of playing this course are the views. Really spectacular views that follow you through out the 18 holes of play. Zach Swafford is the head pro and he and his team will take great care of you.
3. Black Butte Ranch has two classic designed golf courses that in so many ways give you that authentic central Oregon golf experience.  The Ranch is  located in Sisters.  The property has two courses, Big Meadows and Glaze Meadows…… tree lined and small greens.  it may remind you of playing Donald Ross designed courses if you have traveled east to do just that.  Jeff Fought, little brother to PGA Tour winner and course designer, John Fought, is the director of golf.  They are super people there and will take great care of your every golf need.
4. Pronghorn Golf Club – Nicklaus  course – Pronghorn is a semi-private facility again not too far from the Redmond airport.  The course may be most remembered for its manicured greens and  over sized clubhouse.  This course design is pure Nicklaus…..knowing  his pattern for risk reward temptation in the hole designs.  You will love playing this course for so many reasons including the very friendly staff, the views and the 19th hole patio area.

All four places I have recommended do provide overnight stay accommodations including all the amenities and restaurants. You really can’t loose if you choose to stay at anyone of these properties so depending on how much golf you want to play, you’re in a good spot. Finally, I would invite you to check out the Central Oregon Golf Trail and Visit Central Oregon for more information on courses in the area.

As far as best timing for golf in Oregon, the summer through early fall is generally reliable. But often the state of Oregon and the Portland area gets a bad wrap about being raining because that is usually the thought associated with the area. That is just not the case. There are many sun filled days through out the year. I particularly love the golf experience in the early fall. The trees with their colors and the smell of nature and its beauty wraps around your mind as you track around the course.  Really a fantastic experience.

One of the most reliable areas to travel for golf with assurance of super weather is Central and Southern Oregon. Central Oregon has over 30 some courses with a wide variety of designs and price points for greens fees. And, it is filled with sunny days.  Southern Oregon too has a super collection of courses and more reliable weather in and around the Medford area.

Just outside of downtown Portland are several high quality courses that are fully equipped to greet  the “spontaneous golfer” with rental clubs and needed gear. Pumpkin Ridge and The Reserve are west of the city and both clubs have hosted several PGA and USGA Professional tournaments. Langdon Farms, which is just south of Portland proper too provides a great golf experience and solid test of play. All three courses are open to he public and will help you take advance of a free afternoon for golf.

There are several clusters of great golf, grape and gambling in Oregon. Eastern Oregon’s Wildhorse Resort & Casino has a fantastic course, gambling facility and just completed an expansion of full service accommodations for your stay. Just down the street are several world class wineries along the Washington/Oregon Columbia Valley region. Along the coast, there is Sandpines Golf Club, a top Golf Digest top public course adjacent to Three Rivers Casino & Hotel. You can play your ocean side golf then venture along 126 highway to multiple of South Willamette Valley wines for an afternoon of tasting.