Lipoma Firs thrives as a family affair

With so many older courses being bought up by larger companies and others just closing to be turned into housing developments, it’s refreshing to see a few family courses still around. Lipoma Firs is one of the family-owned courses that has not only remained a family venture but has grown into one of the outstanding golf facilities in Western Washington.

It all began when Tony Lipoma bought 640 acres for a Christmas tree farm in the 1930s. After years as a successful tree farm where Tony and his son Sam were shipping trees around the county, they made the decision to convert the farm into an 18-hole golf course. Tony wanted a course that the average golfer, could afford to play. The year was 1989 and Lipoma Firs opened for business.

The golf course proved to be such a good venture for the Lipoma family that they decided to expand and build a companion course. In 1994 Lipoma Firs became a 27-hole facility.

The golf business seems to be a nice fit for the Lipoma family as even the great grand kids are getting exposed early to some of the chores that make up a successful golf business. Today Tony’s grandson Tony runs the facility along with his brother Nick.

Tony handles the business side and Nick is the course superintendent. Together they have created a gem of a golf complex with a range, a restaurant and 27 holes of outstanding golf at Lipoma Firs. Today the course is one of the driest winter courses around.

To honor their great-grandfather’s desire to have an every-day guy’s course they are keeping the prices exceptionally low at $15 (weekdays) per 18 holes throughout the winter months.