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Brent Carlson

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Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #25 on: August 30, 2012, 09:17:12 PM »
Ben,

IMO Tacoma is the best area in WA state for golf.  I'll speak to what I know, the publics.

Chambers - This is the one course in WA that drains extremely well.  That's important for winter golf up here.  It rains much more than the natives tell you.  The quality speaks for itself and the annual pass is a steal - just play early.

Gold Mountain - The Olympic Course continues to grow on me.  It has to be one of the best values in America.  A very serene setting.  Very elastic and enjoyable for the short handicap player.

Home Course - An open golf course that offers a different style than most in the NW.  You are able to hit driver 12-13 times a round.  Worth a play but below the first two courses mentioned.

WA National - Some good holes.  Weaves in and out of a housing development.  Appears artificial to the eye but worth a game.

Trophy Lake - Gold Mountain's little brother.  Middle of the pack but beautiful forest / mountain setting.

Salish Cliffs - Brand new cartball course south of Tacoma.  Very well conditioned.

Welcome to the area.  I look forward to having a game with you.

Mike Wagner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #26 on: August 31, 2012, 11:38:09 AM »
Ben,

Good luck on moving to the NW - tons of really good golf around Tacoma.  Can't miss on what everyone's mentioned....but check out Ft. Lewis too - great track(s) - give Eric Bowen a call out there.  RMG club deal is outstanding.

When you've got an entire day, head out to SkyRidge (as Rob mentioned) in Sequim.  Call Jeff Pedersen - it's a one of a kind place.  He designed it, takes care of it himself, and has a total mom and pop feel.  I make at least an annual trip for 72 in a day out there.  By far, the most fun, under-appreciated, least known, course in the state. 

Enjoy the NW my friend...and invest in some new rain gear ;)

Wags

Kevin Stark

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #27 on: August 31, 2012, 01:53:29 PM »
I second the recommendation of Gold Mountain. When I lived in Seattle, I drove an hour past everything else to play there.

Sean Leary

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #28 on: August 31, 2012, 02:12:34 PM »
Sorry, when I sit down and really think about it, I just think it is slightly better than Aldarra. But I can certainly see how others would rate Aldarra higher (I have changed my mind on this before).

I have Tumble Creek, Fircrest, and Seattle GC ahead of Gold Mountain as well...

Ben Sims

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #29 on: August 31, 2012, 02:19:31 PM »
Sorry, when I sit down and really think about it, I just think it is slightly better than Aldarra. But I can certainly see how others would rate Aldarra higher (I have changed my mind on this before).

I have Tumble Creek, Fircrest, and Seattle GC ahead of Gold Mountain as well...

I know it's not 30 min from Tacoma, but I'm surprised that it took our bunch this long to mention Tumble Creek.  What's the word?

Sean Leary

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #30 on: August 31, 2012, 02:25:21 PM »
Ben,

Its very good but is probably 2 hrs from JBLM. Solid Doak 6 that is worth a trip for sure.

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #31 on: August 31, 2012, 02:40:10 PM »
Ben,

Its very good but is probably 2 hrs from JBLM. Solid Doak 6 that is worth a trip for sure.

Sean,

Doak scale review.

6
"A very good course, definitely worth a game if you’re in town, but not necessarily worth a special trip to see. It shouldn’t disappoint you."

7
"An excellent course, worth checking out if you get anywhere within 100 miles. You can expect to find soundly designed, interesting holes, good course conditioning and a pretty setting, if not necessarily anything unique to the world of golf."


 ;D
"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

Richard Choi

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #32 on: August 31, 2012, 03:10:53 PM »
I have Tumble Creek, Fircrest, and Seattle GC ahead of Gold Mountain as well...

I guess we will just disagree. I think Aldarra and Olympic are significantly better.

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #33 on: August 31, 2012, 03:16:03 PM »
I have Tumble Creek, Fircrest, and Seattle GC ahead of Gold Mountain as well...

I guess we will just disagree. I think Aldarra and Olympic are significantly better.

This begs the question how is Olympic "significantly better" than Tumble Creek?
"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

Richard Choi

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #34 on: August 31, 2012, 03:30:02 PM »
Both Tumble Creek and Olympic use the elevation changes extremely well. The most interesting holes in both of the courses are where the elevation changes are at its extreme (#4 par 5 at TB and #17 & #12 at Olympic). But there are more variety of elevation changes at Olympic (straight up #4, up and down #6, etc.) and the flat holes at Olympic are more interesting than the valley holes at Tumble.

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #35 on: September 01, 2012, 12:23:56 PM »
I got curious on what Golfweek would say about this matter. The curiosity was spurred by Richard's perhaps overly high opinion of Gold Mountain Olympic. Surprised to not find Tumble Creek in the listings. Supports my suggestion that if you want to join a private, and can swing it, Fircrest is the way to go.

Chambers Bay 7.76 (22)
Wine Valley 6.95 (84)
Palouse Ridge 6.66 (144)
Alderra 6.53 (173)
Seattle 6.28 (148)
Fircrest 6.03 (179)
"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

Ben Sims

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #36 on: September 19, 2012, 05:38:29 PM »
To rehash the subject...

1)  If hypothetically you SeaTac guys found out that a membership at Fircrest and an annual pass at Chambers Bay were the exact same price, which course would you choose and why?

2)  How much golf can you reliably plan on playing in the dead winter months in the Tacoma area?  Is it comparable to Bandon, or worse?

Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #37 on: September 19, 2012, 06:49:54 PM »
To rehash the subject...

1)  If hypothetically you SeaTac guys found out that a membership at Fircrest and an annual pass at Chambers Bay were the exact same price, which course would you choose and why?

2)  How much golf can you reliably plan on playing in the dead winter months in the Tacoma area?  Is it comparable to Bandon, or worse?

I doubt very much Fircrest and Chambers Bay are going to be the same price.
But to answer your question, if I knew a way to play Chambers Bay at a private course pace when I wanted to play, I would choose it. Otherwise, I would choose Fircrest to avoid the slow play at Chambers Bay.
But, then again, maybe as a service guy you get deals at one or both places that I would not get.

You would easily be able to play more often in the Tacoma area. Relatively the same temperature but without the unhindered wind off the ocean.

I play year round further inland than Tacoma, with only snow on the ground stopping me. On average there is less than 7 days a year when there will be snow on the ground that would prevent golf. Many years none.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2012, 06:51:43 PM by GJ Bailey »
"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

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #38 on: September 19, 2012, 07:26:03 PM »
Ben,
I played Eagle Pride back when I was a PFC at Ft Lewis during the Vietnam Era. I remember little about it except it kicked my butt every time. The WSGA held its State Amateur there in June. Three players broke par for the 72 holes. UW All American Chris Williams won by ten at -13. Its directly south of the Home Course on the west edge I-5. But it is narrow and cut out of a mature forest.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2012, 07:33:30 PM by Pete_Pittock »

Greg Gilson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #39 on: September 19, 2012, 08:57:10 PM »
I know this has been done to death but i cannot help myself. I travelled from Melbourne to play Chambers Bay (& a few others!!!) last year. If i was living in the area & got a deecent price on an Annual Pass at CB i would jump at it. I could happily play there every day (weather issues aside).

Richard Choi

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #40 on: September 20, 2012, 06:37:02 PM »
Greg is my kinda guy! :)

The annual pass at Chambers is $3500/year. I am guessing Fircrest annual dues are not far apart.

I am planning on getting the annual pass next year. Would love to have more people to play with.

Greg Gilson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #41 on: September 20, 2012, 10:38:30 PM »
Tough commute from Melbourne but $3500 is a bargain!

Brian Walshe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tacoma Public Golf Options
« Reply #42 on: September 22, 2012, 03:29:57 PM »
Well seeing it seems appropriate to comment on NW golf if you live in Melbourne....    Chambers Bay is a fair bit better than anything else I've played in the area.  Not fussed about 8 and 9 but there is some great golf out there.  I'd have Tumble Creek ahead of Olympic Mountain.  The Home Course as mentioned, is a little different from most courses around in that it is more open than most.  Makes a pleasant change from hitting trees at Sahalee.