Gamble Sands’ Scarecrow gets national honor

Golf Digest has named Scarecrow “Best New Public Course” for 2025. And that carries a little extra meaning as the original Gamble Sands course also earned Best New honors when it opened when it opened back in 2014. Two courses at the same resort, both recognized as the Best New Public Course of the year. That’s exceptionally rare.

The Golf Digest news comes on the heels of Sports Illustrated naming Scarecrow its Best New Resort Course of 2025.

Then there’s Golfweek, which launched Scarecrow straight into the Top 75 on its list of the 200 Best Resort Courses in the United States. Scarecrow debuts in a tie for No. 73 while the original Gamble Sands layout continues to sit comfortably tied for No. 20.

Two courses on one property, both inside the Top 75. That says a lot about what the owners of Gamble Sands are trying to do in building one of Washington’s leading golf resorts — it’s a destination that attracts golf connoisseurs from near and far and gives them a reason to stay multiple days for an unforgettable golf experience when they visit Central Washington.