Portland Area Golf

[Tim Bert]

I am making the trip back to Bandon in 3 weeks, and I'm looking for some good golf in the Portland area for the day I drive back to the airport.  I have to play somewhere near the Portland area because I have to drop a friend off at the airport before I play (and then I fly out later that evening.)  My first choice was Ghost Creek, but they are hosting an outing that day and have no availability.  The Reserve and Langdon Farms have both been recommended to me, but I wanted to get a reaction from everyone here before I book anything.

Does anyone have a recommendation for must-play courses within an hour drive of the Portland airport?

[peter_p]

When is your flight and your friend's flight? If you're thinking of Langdon or the Reserve that's nearly two hours of drive time. Public or private?

[Tim Bert]

We are dropping our friend off at 11AM and our flight is not until 10 PM, so we've got time.  We plan to play a late afternoon round.  I limited the drive time to an hour each way just so we aren't rushed one way or another.  

We're looking at public options right now, but if you know any members of Portland-area courses that are interested in hosting three die-hard golfers on Saturday, June 25th, then I'm sure our opinion could be swayed!

[Dan Herrmann]

Tim,
If you're a member of a golf club, I'd definitely check out Columbia-Edgewater and/or Riverside.  They're both just west of PDX.  I was a member of Riverside till 1993 when I moved to metro Philly.

The clubs in Portland has a fantastic recopricity policy that I wish we'd see more back East.

If not, I'd strongly suggest Heron Lakes up off I-5 near the Washington state line.  There are 2 courses there, and both are enjoyable.  For my money, Portland has the best municipal set of courses in the USA (assuming Torrey Pines isn't 'really' a muni anymore).  

For a really unique experience, check out Jubitz truck stop up near I-5 and Heron Lakes.  Believe me, you'll not forget it - it's just fun and they have awesome food.  (yes, I'm serious!)

[peter_p]

I'm tied up that day or I'd host on the private side of The Reserve. The Reserve's public side will be the Cupp (North) course, which is not the one used for Jacobsen or Senior Tour events . Good public courses within an hour of PDX are, in my ordering) Heron Lakes (Great Blue), Langdon Farms, Reserve (Cupp), Stoneridge, Heron Lakes (Green Back), Tri-Mountain, Or try Indian Creek in Hood River.

You can also check the GCA search engine for other threads on Portland golf.

[Caleb Anderson]

If you're able to get a recipricol, I'd recommend Royal Oaks in Vancouver, WA (just across the river from Portland).

[Tim Bert]

Thanks for all of the responses.

Of the three that will be playing, only one is a member of a course (in the New England area.)  I'm not entirely sure how reciprocal priviliges work, but my guess is that not all three of us would be entitled to play if only one of us is a member??

It sounds like the quick opinion here is that Heron Lakes is a better option than the North Course at Reserve or Langdon Farms.  I'll try to get a little more information on it.  The web site didn't appear to provide much course information (photos or layout) at first glance.

We're going in with the expectation that anything we play is going to be a bit of a letdown after Bandon, but we're trying to find a course that won't be a complete disappointment compared to the rest of the trip.

[Mike Erdmann]

Anything you play is going to be a LOT of a letdown after Bandon!    Eastmoreland is an old Chandler Egan-designed muni in SE Portland that is a wonderful course.  I'd opt for that over Heron Lakes.

If you have time left over between golf and the flight, drive up into the Columbia River Gorge east of the airport.  It's quite close to the airport and really worth the trip.

[Dan Herrmann]

If you want something non-golf related, I'd do the Portand/Mt Hood/Gorge loop.  Head east on I-84 and take the historic highway thru the gorge to Hood River.  From there, OR 35 south, skirting Mt. Hood.  Then US26 west to Timberline up to the treeline on Mt. Hood.  Take the chair lift up to the top!

Then US26 back into Portland/Gresham.

I agree with Mike - Eastmoreland is awesome too.

You know what - I'd try Riverside.  Worst thing they'll say is that they can't accomodate you.  Mention that you're from the NE and doing Bandon, and folks at this website recommended Riverside.  Pat Sutton is the pro, and he's the definition of a great club professional.  Heck - nothin' to lose!

Have fun, and WELCOME to GCA  

[Michael Dugger]

I live in the metro pdx and enjoy Heron Lakes a great deal.  It is a good option because it is really close to the airport.

If time is not a factor then it comes down to whether or not you are looking public or private.

I don't know about private, some of the others on this site do.

As far as public goes, The Reserve is very nice, Langdon, EMO (Eastmoreland) Tri-Mountain, Red Tail, Camas Meadows and Stone Creek offer some the best of the region.

That's just my two bits, but this is where I play.  

Heron Lakes is super close to the airport, like I mentioned, and I loose more balls there than any other tract around.

But any of those I mentioned will afford a good game for around $50.

Good luck and replace those divots!!

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