Desert Canyon - bankrupt?

[Steve_Lovett]

I just learned through a friend that Desert Canyon Golf Course in Orondo, Washington (between Wenatchee and Lake Chelan in Central Washington) is bankrupt and is being offered at Auction.  I understand the golf course is currently closed - and tee times may perhaps be available later in the spring...  

This course has been discussed on here as an interesting, unique, and sometimes specatcular layout in a very, very remote location.  In recent years an effort has been made to construct a lodge, condominiums, etc. - and perhaps to sell real estate.  Based upon my last visit there (last May), it didn't appear those offerings were generating much momentum.  


 

[Craig Van Egmond]

Steve,

        Apparently Desert Canyon defaulted on a 7 million dollar loan so a judge has ordered the course to be sold at auction. Its a shame, I always liked the course, (not as much as Matt Ward) easily a top 5 public course in Washington. It could be a good opportunity for someone looking to buy, know anybody looking?

[Steve_Lovett]

It's got to be an expensive proposition to operate.  They are closed in the winter season, and it must be expensive to maintain being strung out all over the landscape...  It is DEFINATELY cart-ball at Desert Canyon.

I like the golf course too - but it varies wildly between spectacular and ordinary/underwhelming/weird.  

I wonder what $$ Desert Canyon will command at auction...

[Jordan Wall]

From what I hear Mr. Richy Rich of Washington golf courses is going to buy it out.

Scott Oki.

The course is nice, some interesting greens and holes, and the canyon hole is a brute.
For $119 a round though, its no surprise its bankrupt...
...$119 makes Newcastle look like a bargain...

[Craig Van Egmond]

Wow, $119 a round!! Yikes!! It was $75 last time I played.  

I can see this being another Oki course. What he up to like 9 courses or so?

Lets see.. Echo Falls, The Plateau, Indian Summer, former Meriwood, former Vicwood, Newcastle Coal Creek, Newcastle China Creek, Washington Natl and Trophy Lake... that makes 9 courses so far.

Am I missing any?

[Jordan Wall]

I just played Echo Falls last week and found out Oki does not own The Plateau Club anymore.
I dont know if this is true because on his website it says he owns it...?

Your list is indeed correct.

I here he may be taking over some other courses too....

[Steve_Lovett]

Last year I think I paid less than $75 to play it, but I don't recall for sure...  Scott Oki is probably the right guy for Desert Canyon - he doesn't need it to turn a profit in any normal or conventional timeframe and can afford to upfront the investment necessary to bring it closer to achieving it's potential.

I hope it doesn't become a $120+ golf experience...  That would be a shame.

[Jordan Wall]

Scott Oki will charge top dollar for Desert Canyon, and my guess he will try and make a better resort, almost make it a 'destination' of sorts.

I would not be surprised at all if it was $120...WA National and Trophy Lake are both almost $100 as it is...

The course will open, most of the old workers will be fired, and the course will turn into a place for snobs, like some of his courses have turned into.  That is one thing about Oki courses, the quality is OK but they are way overpriced (none below 50$ with no junior rates unless you buy a $75 'Oki Card') and most of the staff are rude...

[Steve_Lovett]

Jordan,

Venturing away from Desert Canyon for the moment...

I was talking on the phone with a buddy of mine who lives/plays at Harbour Pointe - not far from your "neck of the woods".  I understand that the long rumored Oki purchase of Harbour Pointe was publicized within the past week in the paper or somewhere.  My friend was hoping his fees wouldn't be jacked way up - but I told him to brace himself.  I'm guessing Oki will probably improve the place (conditioning, clubhouse, etc.) but it will no longer be a bargain of any kind.  I should probably wait and let it play out, but that does seem to be the track record.

I remember paying about $15 before I turned 18 years old to play Bear Creek the year or two after it opened in the early '80's - same with Kayak Point.  Those days of bargains (especially Junior Rates) at good public golf courses seem to be waning.

[Sean Leary]

I don't think Desert Canyon will ever get $120 just due to the location.  The locals won't play it for that much and it is too far from the populations centers.  I don't love the course, but I think it is OK.  Conditions have gone way downhill since it opened (True story. One year it ranked #2 behind Augusta for conditioning in one of the major publications).  Golf is at an alltime low around here, for both public and private courses.

[Craig Van Egmond]

Man, that Oki is one busy guy!

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/06/04/14/100loc_a1golf001.cfm

I never thought Harbour Pointe was much of a bargain, maybe for juniors. The drainage was not great and the housing really encroached on a number of holes. There was some good stuff on the back 9 though.  

Of course I never thought much of Echo Falls, The Plateau and Indian Summer after the housing either. All of Oki's courses fall in the Doak 3 - 6 range.

[John Kavanaugh]

  Golf is at an alltime low around here, for both public and private courses.

Of course it is...If you listen to Shivaslogic all you need is a 7700yd course in the area to drive prices back up....

[Steve_Lovett]

Harbour Pointe, perhaps more than any course anywhere I can think of, has suffered from the encroachment of residential development.  The front nine (which opened after the back nine) seems to play "between the houses" all the way around - finishing with apartments guarded by nets on the 9th hole.  Golf corridors seem narrow and tree buffers in many places don't exist.  The front is so flat - drainage is sorely lacking.  The back is better - quite a bit better.

Years ago Harbour Pointe was a decent deal.  I played there last in May and again it seemed ok - despite the course limitations.  Don't know whether Oki's purchase will be good or bad, but track record seems to lead to increased $$$ to play.

Back to Desert Canyon...

The site is spectacular.  The course COULD be outstanding - possibly among the very best in the entire pacific northwest.  As it is currently routed I don't know that it would ever achieve that lofty status.  And - I agree that "Orondo" will probably never thrive as a high-dollar golf destination.  

[Matt_Ward]

I am likely to be one of the few easteners who ha splayed Desert Canyon -- no less than three (3) separate times.

I have always found the work of Jack Frei to be rather unique and fun to play. His work at McCormick Woods -- closer to Seattle is also a treat to play.

I'm sorry to hear about the financial plights but if the facility opts for the $120+ green fees I think they will only suffer more issues down the pike.

The golf course certainly can be improved in a number of areas but I would hasten to add that Desert canyon is a good ways beyond what one would consider quality public golf in the State of Washington. I liked my Frei created and can only hope that the prospective owners can take the good and push out any negative issues that have materialized.

We shall see ...

[Jordan Wall]

Jordan,

Venturing away from Desert Canyon for the moment...

I was talking on the phone with a buddy of mine who lives/plays at Harbour Pointe - not far from your "neck of the woods".  I understand that the long rumored Oki purchase of Harbour Pointe was publicized within the past week in the paper or somewhere.  My friend was hoping his fees wouldn't be jacked way up - but I told him to brace himself.  I'm guessing Oki will probably improve the place (conditioning, clubhouse, etc.) but it will no longer be a bargain of any kind.  I should probably wait and let it play out, but that does seem to be the track record.

I remember paying about $15 before I turned 18 years old to play Bear Creek the year or two after it opened in the early '80's - same with Kayak Point.  Those days of bargains (especially Junior Rates) at good public golf courses seem to be waning.

I am starting to play Harbour a couple times a week now.

I found out about two weeks ago that it had been bought and was very unhappy (out goes the $20 for juniors)

As long as the same people work there, the pro and the crew, I am fine I guess.

Scott Oki
 

[Steve_Lovett]

Jordan,

I hope you don't lose your junior rates at Harbour Pointe - you have a good value there.

If you hit a big drive up the 18th hole and you pull or draw it too much, you may end up in or near my friend's back yard...

I played what is now the back nine at Harbour Pointe the first week it opened, when only nine holes were complete and there were hardly any roads or homes.  It was magnificently beautiful - heavily forested along the edges and very natural in appearance.  It doesn't feel like the same place today - through a riot of rooftops in a very heavy-handed development setting.  Even Scott Oki's deep pockets can't do much about that.  But - for a junior rate of 20-bucks it is a fine place play and learn the game, and an excellent value.  

[Sean Leary]

I agree with Steve.  HP was an entirely different golf course when it first opened in terms of feel.....

[W.H. Cosgrove]

Frei actually only finished the front at McCormick and the back was completed "in house."  I once tried to get a past pro there to tell me what happened and he wouldn't say a word.  Sopunds like good gossip!

Oki can continue to buy up local courses.  He has managed to adjust the local price structure and we have a number of people join at my humble track.  

Looking forward to playing in the Wa State Best ball at Trophy in the end of May.  I hope the condition has improved, I have been disappointed the last few times out there.  The Pro/Manager there Mark Knowles(sp?) is a hell of a good guy.

[Sean Leary]

Bill,

I am playing as well in the best ball.  Maybe we can hook up for a practice rond....

[Jordan Wall]

Harbour Point has always been one of my personal favorite courses.  This is probably because I learned the meaning of 'tough' on this course, and it was one of the first places I ever played.  I love the course, the view on #11 will never detract, and I will still golf there even if for $40 (after a $75 'juniors' card)!!  As for other Oki courses, well...
 

I have never played Trophy Lake, though I want to.
WA National is OK, worth it though because dad loves it.

If any of you guys ever want to play a round just email me or PM me!!

[Jordan Wall]

My coach has a relation to someone who owns part of Desert Canyon.  He is reliable as he plays that course over 60 times a year...(except for this year)

Anyways, he said yesterday that Desert Canyon opened back up today, if anybody wanted to know.

He also said Oki will probably buy it later this year.

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