Tetherow?

[Dan Herrmann]

I was recently in Central Oregon on a non-golf vacation (gotta save some $$$), but we stopped by Tetherow to take a look.  Honestly, I was underwhelmed by what I saw.

Granted, my only exposure was up at the clubhouse looking out at the course, but I didn't get the impression that the architecture was at the same level as Kidd's work at Bandon or even RTJ2's work at Chambers Bay.

I was there on a sunny 80F day with almost no wind, at 10AM, and the parking lot was almost empty.  For $175 per loop and a mandatory forecaddy, it didn't seem to be good value for the money.

Now- I admit that you can't tell a lot from a cursory view like I had, so could somebody tell me if I'm wrong?

Thanks!

[Michael Dugger]

It's a sweet course.  The routing is a bit schizophrenic, but how can you not like these golf holes???

[Garland Bayley]

Dugger,

Most of the holes you posted have ponds. Have you gone all Florida on us?

Me?

I would play Wine Valley or the Links of ND any day before Tetherow, and that is even if they are priced the same.
Heck, I would also play Juniper in Redmond before Tetherow even if priced the same.

[Mike Erdmann]

Dan, I can understand you being somewhat underwhelmed if you only stood at the back of the clubhouse looking down upon the driving range and 1st hole.  The rest of the course, by and large, is significantly better than what you can see from that vantage point.

[Jim Franklin]

Looks good to me.

[Michael Dugger]

Dugger,

Most of the holes you posted have ponds. Have you gone all Florida on us?

Me?

I would play Wine Valley or the Links of ND any day before Tetherow, and that is even if they are priced the same.
Heck, I would also play Juniper in Redmond before Tetherow even if priced the same.

Garland,

Wine Valley has ponds too. 

[Michael Dugger]

I am curious to make a return visit to Tetherow to see if some of the rumored alterations have tamed the course a bit.

I've been one of the biggest "haters" of the numerous eyebrows, and would be thrilled to see some of them mowed down.

And I do believe there are a few greens and pin placements that are really objectionable.  I like a good challenge just as much as the next guy, but I've heard from far too many folks that the course beats the crap out of everyone. 

Especially when the wind blows.... 

[Garland Bayley]

Dugger,

Most of the holes you posted have ponds. Have you gone all Florida on us?

Me?

I would play Wine Valley or the Links of ND any day before Tetherow, and that is even if they are priced the same.
Heck, I would also play Juniper in Redmond before Tetherow even if priced the same.

Garland,

Wine Valley has ponds too.  

So does Juniper. But IMO they are aesthetically more pleasing than at Tetherow, and easier to miss accidentally.
I agree on the need to remediate some mohawks and eyebrows, which might raise my opinion of Tetherow.

[Kalen Braley]

Dugger,

Most of the holes you posted have ponds. Have you gone all Florida on us?

Me?

I would play Wine Valley or the Links of ND any day before Tetherow, and that is even if they are priced the same.
Heck, I would also play Juniper in Redmond before Tetherow even if priced the same.

Garland,

Wine Valley has ponds too. 

There are only 3 of them, all on the front 9 and Garland managed to find one of them.   

[Eric Strulowitz]

I was recently in Central Oregon on a non-golf vacation (gotta save some $$$), but we stopped by Tetherow to take a look.  Honestly, I was underwhelmed by what I saw.

Granted, my only exposure was up at the clubhouse looking out at the course, but I didn't get the impression that the architecture was at the same level as Kidd's work at Bandon or even RTJ2's work at Chambers Bay.

I was there on a sunny 80F day with almost no wind, at 10AM, and the parking lot was almost empty.  For $175 per loop and a mandatory forecaddy, it didn't seem to be good value for the money.

Now- I admit that you can't tell a lot from a cursory view like I had, so could somebody tell me if I'm wrong?

Thanks!

Why is it that so many  upscale courses are requirng forecaddies these days?  Seems like just another way to soak money out of people, at a time where people are already strapped for cash.

Part of the joy of this game is guessing yardages, guessing the break and speed of putts, I really don't want any help.  I am totally able to screw it up on my own!

Have no problems with the concept of forecaddies, just don't think it should be mandatory.

[Sean Eidson]

I was recently in Central Oregon on a non-golf vacation (gotta save some $$$), but we stopped by Tetherow to take a look.  Honestly, I was underwhelmed by what I saw.

Granted, my only exposure was up at the clubhouse looking out at the course, but I didn't get the impression that the architecture was at the same level as Kidd's work at Bandon or even RTJ2's work at Chambers Bay.

I was there on a sunny 80F day with almost no wind, at 10AM, and the parking lot was almost empty.  For $175 per loop and a mandatory forecaddy, it didn't seem to be good value for the money.

Now- I admit that you can't tell a lot from a cursory view like I had, so could somebody tell me if I'm wrong?

Thanks!

Why is it that so many  upscale courses are requirng forecaddies these days?  Seems like just another way to soak money out of people, at a time where people are already strapped for cash.

Part of the joy of this game is guessing yardages, guessing the break and speed of putts, I really don't want any help.  I am totally able to screw it up on my own!

Have no problems with the concept of forecaddies, just don't think it should be mandatory.

Where I've seen it is at courses that are semi-private.  It's almost as though they want the forecaddies to babysit you and keep you from tearing up the courses or slowing play.  Very frustrating, espectially when carts are required too.  If I'm going to tip you $50, plus whatever is baked into my greens fee, I want to walk and I want you to carry my bag.

[Sean Leary]

Dan, I can understand you being somewhat underwhelmed if you only stood at the back of the clubhouse looking down upon the driving range and 1st hole.  The rest of the course, by and large, is significantly better than what you can see from that vantage point.

I have actually heard the same thing about Wine Valley. Heard like it doesn't look like much fromnearby, but that it is excellent.

[Kalen Braley]

Dan, I can understand you being somewhat underwhelmed if you only stood at the back of the clubhouse looking down upon the driving range and 1st hole.  The rest of the course, by and large, is significantly better than what you can see from that vantage point.

I have actually heard the same thing about Wine Valley. Heard like it doesn't look like much fromnearby, but that it is excellent.

I beg to differ, WV looked awesome from the road and even awesomer as I played it!!   

[Wayne Freeman]

Dan-     I was pretty shocked to read your statements..........  trying to judge Tetherow with one glance and then trying to compare it to 2 courses that are definitely in the top 50 in the country....    anyway,  the view from the clubhouse down the 700 acre swath of fire ravaged landscape is very cool.  The forest fire there in fact created the landscape for the golf course, and Kidd did a fantastic job.  It's a wild ride,  packed with challenge,  variety,  great greens and options galore.  It's true that there are some greens and pin placements that are virtually impossilbe to attack, but overall the course is a joy to play.  Since it was developed to be a private residential area it does have one really "eyesore" house on the property,  but because everything is so depressed in Bandon,  they are allowing outside play.  We paid $140 for the first round and $80 for a replay.  We had a great forecaddie who is the golf coach at a local high school and he made our day memorable and fun.  Well worth it!!!
    We also played 36 at Crosswater and completed our trip with the Pronghorn-Nicklaus course.  We got a great deal at Sunriver for the Crosswater course and felt we were ripped off a little at Pronghorn,  but overall our 3 day trip there was awesome. Highly recommend it.........  and the weather is a lot more dependable than Bandon.

[Dan Herrmann]

Wayne,
Like I said, I could easily be wrong, and I probably am.  Thanks for the info!

[Pete_Pittock]

Dan,
Staying within Oregon, you'll love the view from the clubhouse at Sandpines.,

[Garland Bayley]

Dan,
Staying within Oregon, you'll love the view from the clubhouse at Sandpines.,

OUCH!
 

[Bill Satterfield]

Visually I loved Tetherow.  I did have some issues with the greens that were flat out non-receptive to a lot of shots.  Bad shots were over-rewarded and pretty good shots were punished too often.  The eyebrows everywhere were visually appealing but I would not enjoy playing that everyday and having balls get stuck in them too often.  The course plays very firm and fast and in the end I loved some aspects and didn't care too much for some others.