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David Davis

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Astoria Golf & Country Club - a few photos added
« on: September 28, 2012, 12:05:34 AM »
Have any of you played this course? Today I had the pleasure of playing it on a perfect day. What a blast! This course dating back to something like 1923 is a true links course and hidden gem on the Oregon Coast between Astoria and Seaside.

Hard, fast and quirky! I bet this is the kind of course you guys would just love. It is set in the dunes and runs mainly back and forth through the valleys between dunes that remind me of big rolling swells in the deep ocean. Many of the tee shots start out on top of the dunes and run to holes located inside the dunes. I've taken photos and will create a photo tour but probably once I'm back in Amsterdam as the internet connection is so slow here it might take years to upload.

The funny thing on many of these tee shots is that as long as you are within the dunes they are so steep that your ball bounces off and rolls down to the fairways. I spoke to several of the members including the 3 that I played with and the assistant pro. None of them actually realized this was a links course. I had to explain to them that less than 1 % of the worlds courses were links courses. Amazing.

Talk about your hidden gems. The course is not tough in my opinion but it's really fun. Of course my one under par back 9 helped to make it more fun. A 76 total even more fun, 4 x 3 puts, not fun but I enjoyed watching the ball roll abnormally in the direction of the ocean on many occasions.

One of the great aspects of this course is the variation between short medium and long holes. Short par 5's, short par 4's and even 3's. We started on hole 10, a very short par 3 of 117 yds, the only play is on the green, left and right roll down the dune on either side. After seeing the entire course I'd argue that they should switch the back and the front 9. The par 4 8th hole and par 5 9th make such great finishing holes. The 8th has a semi blind drive from probably the highest point of the course on top of a dune. The hole is something like 375 yds and has a semi blind downhill drive. It's the kind of hole that makes you feel like a man, wanting to stand there and just crush the ball. I'm happy to report my longest drive of the day :-) 360 yds, wind behind. Unfortunately, such a tough back to front sloped green I ended up walking off with par. The 9th is a reachable par 5 of 517 yds with a beautiful drive over one of two water hazards on the course.

Some other points that will be well demonstrated once I can add photos. A few of the fairways are extremely narrow but play much wider since most the balls roll down to them. Greens are very challenging, at least today they were, hard fast and all sloping right to left, back to front and front to back. Lot's of run offs and good for ground game.

As mentioned photos to come. Anyone played this? What did you think?
« Last Edit: October 10, 2012, 05:51:20 PM by David Davis »
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Patrick_Mucci

Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2012, 12:29:08 AM »
David,

Tommy Nacarrato always touted this course and I think he also posted photos.

Based on his recommendation and photos it was always one on my list to play

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2012, 12:57:25 AM »
Astoria is a great match play course. Definitely links although its a good 1/2 mile from the ocean. I had no idea they didn't know. Hosts a late July invitational with a field of about 500 which is the height of Oregon golf's social season. It's in its second century.

David Davis

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2012, 01:59:44 AM »
Pete,

How come you say it's a good match play venue? Normally I think of a good matchplay venue as one that is really difficult with lots of risk and reward holes. I'd consider Astoria a real fun, go low kind of course. I had a semi sloppy 76 with an eagle and two birdies. Albite perfect conditions in my opinion. Warm sun and a light 1.5 - 2 club breeze. Seems like a great strokeplay course to me. Especially for medium to high hcp'ers as you almost can't lose a ball there.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

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www.lockharttravelclub.com

Yancey_Beamer

Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2012, 10:44:35 AM »
Tommy Naccarato told me this course was great.
I played it.
The holes run through the valleys between the dunes.
As stated many tees are on the dunes.
Actually the original course played over the dunes, that is at a ninety degree
angle to the present course.Then the course was revised to the present form.
Tommy is right. One of a kind.

Stephen Davis

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2012, 11:29:07 AM »
Great write up David! I hope to have something to add to this very soon!

Joe Andriole

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2012, 11:41:32 AM »
I visited this course over a decade ago after reading a column by Brad Klein. That excellent article is available in his collection of essays "Rough Meditations". Personally, I was a little disappointed. The property is cramped. The course while quirky and windy is quite short. The Oregon coast in the Astoria area is very beautiful.

David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2012, 03:59:04 PM »
JG, I've seen picture of the course from a few years ago. You might not know but during a big storm they lost some 350 trees so I really didn't have the feeling of being cramped. Granted that some of the dunes and fairways are really tight however compared to playing on some of the small compact properties in Europe this was not bad. The level of golf I experienced there is not high however and it's really easy to hit a ball into the adjacent fairway, I did it once myself.

In the end it's a true links course and not to be confused with typical US golf and that alone makes it incredibly unique. It's 6500 + yds from the back tees. Not exactly short for a links course either. Perhaps you are a very long hitter. For me a course doesn't really need to be a long slog in order to be unique and great fun. In the end I definitely think everyone should experience for themselves, it's worth the trip. What to expect is a unique, quirky and interesting links experience, not like any I've had and I've played pretty much every top links course in the world.

Photos will come guys so you can get at least an idea. I would guess that GCA guys will love the place.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

Garland Bayley

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2012, 04:25:23 PM »
Tommy Naccarato told me this course was great.
I played it.
The holes run through the valleys between the dunes.
As stated many tees are on the dunes.
Actually the original course played over the dunes, that is at a ninety degree
angle to the present course.Then the course was revised to the present form.
Tommy is right. One of a kind.

Where did you get the information that the original course played over the dunes? The information that has always been shared here was that the original design was to cut through the dunes, but when the eventual architect proposed playing parallel to the dunes, he got the job and created the course we have today. No cuts were made through the dunes.
"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Garland Bayley

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2012, 04:27:55 PM »
"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

David Davis

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2012, 05:35:19 PM »
GJ,

Thanks for that, you are a far better photographer than me but you may be surprised at how different the course looks now. Far less trees than I'm seeing in your photos.

What you are saying is true. The original design was running over the dunes, the club president and board rejected it and decided to put the routing together themselves. This information is clearly stated on their website under history.

It's certainly not the product of brilliant architecture in my opinion however, the property is so unique and self explanatory to work with I'd say it's hard to really screw up. I agree with the cart path comments, I did find them a bit ridiculous but you don't notice them too much. The members I was playing with were actually trying to hit them to get extra roll which I thought was a bit comical.

Here's the text about the architect from their website:


The Board of Directors employed the services of R.C. Asbury, a purported golf course architect, to lay out the golf course. Mr. Asbury’s proposal had the course running east and west, thus making most play across and over the top of the rolling sand dunes of the property. This plan was not acceptable to the Club President, George Halderman and the Board, so subsequently Halderman and George Junor, the first greens keeper, laid out the course in its present north and south directions between the dunes, following the natural terrain which had been shaped by sand, wind and sea.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

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www.lockharttravelclub.com

Garland Bayley

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2012, 07:39:19 PM »
David,

I've played it after the storm, and in my opinion it is vastly improved. There were no trees when it opened, and they could improve it by reducing the trees even further IMO.
"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2012, 08:12:57 PM »
What's the course just south of Astoria and how good is it ?

Both courses tend to be routed north/south, is that due to the dunes or the wind ?

Tiger_Bernhardt

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2012, 08:15:55 PM »
Yes it is a not so hidden gem. A day not to be missed by all who love firm and fast as well as somewhat kinky golf. I love playing down the tunnels/dunes. The people there could not have been nicer. Of course Pete Pittock is a great man to play any course with.

Pete_Pittock

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2012, 08:33:19 PM »
What's the course just south of Astoria and how good is it ?

Both courses tend to be routed north/south, is that due to the dunes or the wind ?

Gearhart Golf Links, one of the oldest west of the Mississippi. Under the old owner , who was quite stingy with water it used to be just as fun as Astoria. Best holes are 2,3,4,18. It was changed by Bill Robinson a few years ago who made some major alterations to 6, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and installed irrigation throughout. The old owner has the 1st hole watered and the first time golfer had a rude awakening at the 2nd tee.
    The general north south routing of holes is primarily because of the dunes  and the winds run parallel to them. The dunes are much higher at Astoria, which is why only three holes are routed E-W (2, 5, 8). Gearhart has 4 E-W holes- 4 thru 8.
  IMO Gearhart is at least two rungs lower than Astoria.

David Davis quote:
The funny thing on many of these tee shots is that as long as you are within the dunes they are so steep that your ball bounces off and rolls down to the fairways. I spoke to several of the members including the 3 that I played with and the assistant pro. None of them actually realized this was a links course. I had to explain to them that less than 1 % of the worlds courses were links courses. Amazing.

David,
When you realize they bill themselves as the St Andrews of the Pacific this is really ironic.

 
« Last Edit: September 28, 2012, 08:35:25 PM by Pete_Pittock »

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #15 on: September 28, 2012, 09:39:06 PM »
Peter,

The Oregon coastline is quite spectacular.

What other coastal courses have merit, north and south of Astoria.

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2012, 10:44:46 PM »
Peter,

The Oregon coastline is quite spectacular.

What other coastal courses have merit, north and south of Astoria.

Close to none between Tacoma and Bandon. The only potentially good course is Salishan in Gleneden Beach. But I have not been on property since Jacobsen/Hardy reworked the course. Not a links, the opening nine is on hilly property east of US 101. The closing nine loops around a large hill. The resort is rustic/nice. The only other courses I would mention are what could have been a good Sandpines,
a mixed review Ocean Dunes in Florence and Salmon Run in Brookings. I'd pass on all unless you are determined to play.
In the last 10 years there have been grandiose plans for two courses near Astoria, one at Tillamook, at Tierra del Mar/Pacific City, and one which I think broke ground south of Gold Beach.   

Michael Underwood

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2012, 11:23:31 PM »
I played both Astoria Golf & Country Club and Gearhart Links during the last week of July 2012.  Astoria is very unique and a lot of fun!  I played Astoria the day after the Oregon Coast Amateur was completed and the greens rolled every bit of 12.  The greens were very fast and very true.  I made about a mile of putts!  If you are ever in the area it is worth the trip to Astoria Golf & Country Club.  On a side note the Astoria practice facility is excellent with east (downhill) and west (uphill) facing range, short game area including bunkers, and putting green.

If you are ever in the area the Gearhart Links is also worth playing.  As I understand it the current owner has put a lot of money into improving the course.  Sometime in the past decade they have added an irrigation system and made some nice additions to the course maintenance protocol.  It was a delight with fast and true greens, tight fairways,  and interesting bunkers.  I remember that two of the Par 3 holes were in excess of 215 yards and the uphill Par 5 finishing hole was in excess of 600 yards.

If in the area these are both worth playing.  Pumpkin Ridge is also less than an hour down the road.

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #18 on: September 28, 2012, 11:57:26 PM »
Peter & Michael,

Thanks.

I played Sandpines and thought it had some very good holes.

Could it have been better ............... ?
I'd be interested in seeing an alternate routing.

Pumpkin Ridge didn't float my boat.

The Oregon Coastline is quite stunning.

Do you know who the architects are on the two new projects ?

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #19 on: September 29, 2012, 01:35:48 AM »
Pat,
The only project that went forward is the one south of Golf Beach, actually around Pistol River on land owned by the Crook family. The hired Perry Dye, but I think that got derailed. Golf Digest article: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/blogs/wheres-matty-g/2011/03/is-herb-kohler-getting-into-go.html
  Everything else has been bottled up by environmental studies. Pretty sure Fought and Jacobsen had he inside track, especially up near Warrention, next to Astoria.  The Oregon coast cities could certainly benefit from a coast trail of golf courses and breathe something into the economies, but we've never gotten our act together.

Somewhere on the computer I have aerial photos of the land before Sandpines was built. I should probably forward them to Tommy to make/ruin his day.

By the way Jake's bother David qualified for the Senior Am and should be in your area next week.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2012, 01:52:25 AM by Pete_Pittock »

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #20 on: September 30, 2012, 12:07:32 AM »


Do you know who the architects are on the two new projects ?

Harbottle was to have done the one at Tillamook.
"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Stephen Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #21 on: October 07, 2012, 12:30:57 AM »
I got to play here yesterday and it was everything that has been said and more. I just had an absolute blast playing from the top of the dunes down into the valleys. The greens were absolutely fantastic. They were firm (yet receptive) and very fast. I had a couple of down hill sliders that got my pulse going. My favorite stretch on the course was 13-15. Just fantastic! This is the kind of course that just feels like tee boxes and holes were just set where they are and they let the golfing commence. It was just too much fun!

Yancey_Beamer

Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #22 on: October 07, 2012, 01:12:13 PM »
GJ,
That is the information given me by the member I  played with.
Cuts in the dunes was never mentioned.

David Davis

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Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #23 on: October 08, 2012, 12:26:56 AM »
Stephen,

Really glad you had the chance to play before leaving the PNW. It seems you and I had the exact same experience. I have to say in pure fun factor maybe one of the most fun rounds I've had on a golf course but I was with a few members that were hilarious too. I sure had a great laugh.

Yancey,

the initial proposed design was indeed over the dunes in a East to West routing. The club didn't approve it. So there are basically only two holes running in this direction, 11 and 17 if I'm not mistaken. The green of #11 use to be back behind the dune it's now situated on top of. This was changed many years ago and aside from one other change which I've forgotten those are the only two small changed made to the course since it first opened.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

Stephen Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Astoria Golf & Country Club
« Reply #24 on: October 08, 2012, 12:31:53 AM »
David,

Maybe we were playing with the same guys because these guys were indeed hoot. You said it just right, as far as fun factor goes, it was a 10 for me.

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