: Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve

Golfer’s Paradise in Central Oregon

April 6, 2017 (Updated June 22, 2018)
Advertisements

Sure, Central Oregon is home to some of the state’s best craft brews, skiing and cycling. But golf is also on the list — the region is home to 30 courses — and these four award-winning spots are a golfer’s paradise, steeped in beauty with views of the Cascade Mountains, ponderosa pines and ancient lava rock. So it should come as no surprise that three of the courses were ranked among Golf Digest’s top 100. Sneak in a few holes on these championship courses on your next visit.


Black Butte Ranch golf course

Black Butte Ranch

Black Butte Ranch offers two stunning courses that have been Oregon favorites for more than 30 years. The Big Meadow course, designed by Robert Muir Graves, was honored by Golfweek Magazine as one of the “Best Courses You Can Play” in Oregon. Try not to be distracted by the spectacular views.

The Glaze Meadow course (opens for the season in May) — renovated in 2012 by architect John Fought — is home to many signature events.


Crosswater golf course at Sunriver Resort

 Sunriver Resort

Sunriver Resort is full of boundless beauty for golfers. Crosswater was the host of the 50th PGA Professional National Championship in 2017. Meadows 18-hole course (opens May 18, 2017) has been host to USGA and NCAA golf championships. Woodlands, designed by internationally renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr., is regarded as one of Oregon’s finest.

Bring the kids along — Golf Digest named Sunriver one of its top 10 destinations for family golf trips. Caldera Links is a family-friendly 9-hole course developed by Bob Cupp, with holes ranging from 60 to 185 yards. Meadows Putting Course features an exciting 9 holes that are fun for all ages.


Jack Nicklaus course at Pronghorn Resort

Juniper Preserve

Pronghorn Golf Club at Juniper Preserve offers two unique golf experiences. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is a public course with rolling fairways that unfold through an ancient juniper forest and lava rock outcroppings. It has hosted the master golfer himself, while accommodating players of all skill levels.

Among the many reasons to join Pronghorn — named among the top 25 golf communities in the U.S. by Golf Magazine — is the members-only Tom Fazio Championship Course. It has a one of the most unique holes in the world: a par three, 8th hole that includes a 45-foot canyon and exposed lava tube.


Tetherow Resort

The Tetherow Golf Club is steeped in tradition, an 18-hole championship course designed by David McLay Kidd, the award-winning architect of Castle Course in Scotland. The Scottish links-style course is a rarity in the United States, with a firm and fast design.

Tetherow was the first golf course in Oregon to be recognized as an Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary, for its environmentally sound practices. The course also gained notoriety for offering the first full fleet of GolfBoards in the U.S. — a sight you have to see to believe.

About The
Author

Jen Anderson
Jen Anderson is a longtime journalist and travel writer/editor who is now Travel Oregon’s Content & Community Manager, helping to align content for visitors via social media, print and web. She’s called Oregon home for 25 years and loves finding the latest places to eat, drink and play around the state with her husband and two boys. Brewpubs, beaches and bike trails top the list.