Central Washington Road Trip

There might not be a better area for a golf getaway than Central Washington, with its sunny summer and fall weather and variety of golf courses. Just over the Cascade Mountain Range, the scenic drive will put you into a completely different climate. Here’s a look at the golf courses you will find there.

Wine Valley Golf Club

Walla Walla is no stranger to new vintages.  The once-sleepy hamlet in the southeastern corner of the state has become one of the premier wine destinations in the United States. But if you were looking to pair fine public-access golf with wine touring and tasting, the pickings were slim.  The uncorking of Wine Valley Golf Club changed all that – for the area and for the Pacific Northwest. Ranked as one of the top courses in Washington by Golfweek, Wine Valley has been added to the must-play list for golf enthusiasts. It is also ranked among the courses on the list of top Modern Courses.

Wine Valley Golf Club, designed by Oregon native Dan Hixson, blends immense scale, inspiring scenery and strategic challenges into a championship golf experience. The course has hosted the Northwest Open and the PNGA Men’s Amateur.

Kahler Glen Golf & Ski Resort

Kahler Glen Golf Resort is a year round recreation jewel with cross-county skiing, snowshoeing or ice-skating in winter, golf, tennis & pickle ball, and a great place for other activities like hiking, zip-lining, horseback riding and wine tasting. If you are a golfer, then the Leavenworth resort (located at Lake Wenatchee) has 18 terrific holes to challenge you. If you are a skier, then there are miles of cross country trails and nearby Stevens Pass for some downhill action.

Kahler Glen is a place that prides itself on offering something for everyone – in both the winter and summer. 

The course might not be long (measuring 5,893 yards from the tips with a par of 70 and a slope of 122) but you better hit it straight. Most holes are surrounded by tall trees, 7 holes have water hazards, giving you the perfect feel for Pacific Northwest golf. Before your round try the unique Aqua driving range, complete with floating green. Check out the flyover on their website.

Lake Chelan Golf Course

Ever since it was built in 1970, Lake Chelan Golf Course has always been a popular spot for golfers visiting the area.  Located on the lake’s north side, Lake Chelan is a solid par-72 golf course that sits on a bluff with unparalleled views of the lake that will stay in your memory. The course has three sets of tees and plays to 6,445 yards from the blue tees with a slope of 124.

The reviews by visitors to Lake Chelan all talk about the fantastic views and the great condition of the course.  If you are planning a trip to the Wenatchee/Chelan area you will want to put Lake Chelan Golf Course on your itinerary.

Apple Tree Resort

Apple Tree in Yakima is one of the Northwest’s premier golf experiences and given a 4-Star rating by Golf Digest. The signature par-3 17th hole with its apple-shaped island green is one of the state’s most recognizable holes. The hole is a masterpiece of golf architecture that measures over 10,000 square feet with nine different tee boxes to choose from. The 17th hole is only one of many great holes at Apple Tree Resort. The course winds through 100-year old apple orchards with some stunning water hazards and challenging elevation changes. The course and greens are always in perfect condition. The view from the 18th tee belongs on a postcard with the vast network of ponds and the clubhouse perched on high on the hilltop.

Stay & Play packages are available on-site at the Braebukkrn Lodge Condominiums as well as the Best Western Plus Ahtanum Inn and the Holiday Inn. For more information about the resort at appletreeresort.com.

Desert Canyon Golf Course

This 18-hole public facility delivers an experience unmatched in Central Washington. Spectacular desert terrain creates a course with desert style target golf.  Located in Orondo, Washington, Desert Canyon features 7,217 yards from the longest tees. It was designed by Jack Frei and opened in 1993.  The course has received numerous accolades including being named the #1 resort course in the State of Washington, and being ranked as the second best conditioned course in America by Golf Digest.   

Gamble Sands

There is plenty to like at Gamble Sands, the award winning course in Brewster, Wash. From the championship course to the 37-room Inn at Gamble Sands to the Cascade Putting Course, there is plenty to do. The course sits above the Columbia River and the David McLay-Kidd layout is ranked among the best in the country and the Pacific Northwest. 

This course is absolutely stunning and must be on everyone’s bucket list. This course offers a golfing experience like no other. A new 14-hole golf course called Quick Sands is opening up and will play differently every day with different routing and yardages on all of the 14 holes.

Vic Meyers at Sun Lakes

The nine-hole Vic Meyers course and Sun Lakes Park Resort makes for a popular destination for many Pacific Northwest travelers and golfers. Located 40 minutes north of Moses Lake, the resort has been a hit for families because of the variety of activities available here. The golf course is called Vic Meyer, named after a former Lt. Governor of Washington who was responsible for getting it build. The course played through desert sage brush with firm fairways and small pristine greens. Great for beginners and advanced players. Sun Lakes Park Resort has always been a hot spot, no pun intended, for golfers and non-golfers alike. Outdoor activities include putt-putt golf, Water Wars, swimming, bike riding, hiking , paddle boating, fishing and, of course, golf. The resort offers cabins, tent sites and hundreds of RV sites with full hookups. And don’t forget the water wars when you are there – where you can launch water balloons at each other.

Bear Mountain Ranch

There may not be a more aesthetically pleasing course in the Pacific Northwest. Set among an incredible natural setting with golf course views that are equally as stunning as the course itself.

At over 7,230 yards from the back tees, Bear Mountain Ranch is a test for the low handicapper, but it also makes sure each and every golfer can find a proper teeing ground with four additional sets of tees. The course uses the natural terrain of carved plateaus and each hole features lake and mountain views.

Columbia Point Golf Course

Located in Richland, Columbia Point Golf Course is an upscale and daily fee facility adjacent to the Columbia River. The course is owned by the City of Richland and measures 6,571 yards from the back tees. It celebrated its 20th year in 2017.    

Nothing too complicated greets the average golfer but the course does have water hazards and numerous bunkers that will need to be avoided.  The most recognizable features are the mounds separating several of the rolling fairways and large undulating greens.  If your short game is MIA, you might want to put in some practice time on the range before you hit the course. Columbia Point has a full-service restaurant/bar with a covered patio and panoramic views of the front nine.

Horn Rapids Golf Course

Horn Rapids Golf Club, located outside of Richland and is a true desert-style golf course. The sloping, slick greens provide plenty of character and will challenge your short game. 

The course plays 6,954 yards from the back tees and boasts a 73.6 rating with a slope of 130. If you have an RV there is Horn Rapids RV Resort, a five-star RV resort, just across the highway with 225 parking pads.

Highlander Golf Club

At 800 feet above the Columbia River it is a breathtaking piece of property that boasts a masterpiece designed by John Steidel and built by Jim Haley (Haley created and shaped Bandon Dunes). This one is called Highlander and it lives up to the name with magnificent panoramic views of the river and surrounding hills. 

The most talked about hole is the par-3 ninth, a 185-yard bear that requires a tee shot across a steep gulch.  The green slopes dramatically making a two-putt no easy feat. In 2011 many deciduous trees were added to the front nine, a spectacular water feature was added between holes two and three. 

In the spring of 2013, the back nine was the focus of many upgrades including the development of Highlander Estates with some scenic home sites with stunning territorial views and fairway fronted building lots creating a community with a decided recreational lifestyle focus. Two brand new holes were built (17 & 18) and major changes to four others (10,14,15, &16) plus the addition of evergreen trees and more water making this par-70 course the buzz of the region.

Canyon Lakes Golf Course

Canyon Lakes has won a variety of awards, including voted as Best Golf Course by the People‘s Choice Awards (six years in a row) making it the most popular course in the Tri-Cities area.  Rated 4 1/2 Stars by Golf Digest, making it the highest rated course in the Tri-Cities and shares the highest ranking in Washington State.  In addition to the lofty rating, Northwest Travel Magazine selected Canyon Lakes as one of 18 of the Best in the Pacific Northwest.” 

Canyon Lakes is famous for large, fast, undulating greens with the 12th hole touted as the largest green in the Pacific Northwest at 12,000 square feet. The ninth hole was also awarded as one of the Northwest’s Dream 18 holes.

With five sets of tees measuring from 5,500 to 7,027 yards, Canyon Lakes will test the mettle of all types of golfers. Check their website (canyonlakesgolfcourse.com) for some super specials.

The Tri-Cities is a great place to golf with an annual precipitation of less than seven inches and summer temperatures in the 80s.

The Links at Moses Pointe

The Links at Moses Pointe is located just four miles north of interstate 90 in Moses Lake, Wash., and has been a favorite destination for golfers since opening in 1999.

Having hosted the 2005 and 2008 Washington State Amateur Championship as well as the 2011 Pacific Northwest Public Links, Moses Pointe has proven to be a test to the games best players. 

In addition to great golf, you’ll find one of the regions favorite restaurants – Mulligans at the Pointe! Amazing burgers and specialty sandwiches await, along with a terrific selection of beverages and a featured entree every weekend.

With great golf, 300 plus days of sunshine, and a growing residential golf community, Moses Pointe is sure to become your next home away from home, or who knows, maybe your next home? For a hole by hole visual tour of the course, visit www.mosespointe.com.

Leavenworth Golf Course

There’s more to the town of Leavenworth than just Bavarian fun like Oktoberfest, Mayest and the annual Christmas tree Lighting ceremonies. Leavenworth Golf Course is surrounded by mountains and borders the Wenatchee River where you might see some wildlife or some fun loving partiers floating by during the summer months. If we had to choose one word to describe the Leavenworth Golf Course experience it would be peaceful or scenic. It is an unmatched golfing experience that will keep you coming back. 

This is a fun course that might not play long but with the tall trees lining the fairways it sure seems like it does play longer than its 5,711 yards. The greens are small and firm that challenge your short game skills. Recent restaurant conversion to a sports bar and the addition of teaching equipment are just a few of the recent changes at the course. The Wild Huckleberry restaurant has a reputation for good food and service and is a great place to relax after your round.

Suncadia Resort

Suncadia is a planned resort community in Cle Elum about an hour’s drive from Seattle.  There are three courses: Prospector and Rope Rider the public courses and the private Tumble Creek.  The courses meanders through tall pines, with lakes and creeks dotting the landscape with spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains. There is plenty to like with the resort, including miles of bike trails, a hotel on site and some outdoor recreations areas for home owners and visitors. And the housing development has taken off in recent years with construction always busy surrounding all three of the resort golf courses.

Desert Aire Golf Course

Desert Aire Golf Course, located in Mattawa, Wash., is rated 3 stars by Golf Digest and is one of the highest rated public courses in central Washington. This award-winning course should be at the top of your list of courses to play this year. It offers a full-service pro shop including club-fitting, club repair, as well as beverages, snacks and sandwiches.

Reviews from past visitors comment on how perfect the greens are and how happy they were with the prices, the pace of play and the friendly service in the pro shop. The course is well kept and is one of the favorites for visitors from west of the mountains with its generous fairways with rollout that only desert golf can provide.

PGA Professional, Don Tracy, offers golf instruction for adults, as well as his very popular Golf Camp for Kids each summer. Located in Mattawa, Wash.

Desert Aire has some terrific options for RV golfers with parking right next to the course and pro shop.

Othello Golf Course

Othello Golf Course is a nine-hole course with two sets of tee boxes giving you the feel of a 6,200-yard course. There is a nice full-service restaurant on property with a huge deck overlooking the course and space for a few overnight RVs with electric hookups.

West Richland Golf Course

The course is a daily fee 18-hole regulation links-style course that is playable and fair and it has a great view of sunsets from their restaurant and patio.  The clubhouse features expansive porches and a banquet hall with a view of the Yakima River. The price is always right at West Richland, too. The course is also host to one of the largest Pro-Ams in the Pacific Northwest every year which attracts the professionals from around the NW to play for a big purse.

Sun Willows Golf Course

Sun Willows Golf Course, in Pasco, is a Robert Muir Graves designed public 18-hole, par-72 course. It opened in 1963 and was redesigned in 1980 by local golf course architect John Steidel.   A favorite of Tri-City golfers, it is a traditional and challenging Northwest style course with mature trees that line rolling fairways and large undulating greens.  You can play the course from 6,715 yards at the tips or as short as 5,695 yards from the forward tees. There are 32 bunkers and five lakes that will keep you focused.

Alta Lake, Rock Island

Owner Don Barth got his golf ownership start with Alta Lake Golf Course and then took over the operations at Rock Island. Alta Lake, located in Pateros, now has 18 holes and a hotel allows golfers to stay on site. Every room in the lodge has a view of the golf course and there is a swimming pool and area for picnics or to just stretch out in the Eastern Washington sunshine, 

Rock Island located near Wenatchee became an 18-hole course a few years ago with the opening on a new nine, designed by Barth. Nothing wrong here either, especially with the 13th hole, a dogleg that runs along a large water hazard.

Sage Hills RV Resort

Sage Hills is located about 15 miles south of Moses Lake in the heart of the Columbia Basin. The tree lined fairways are lush and green and the greens are as good as any you will find. This has become a popular site for tournaments, many from west of the mountains. Sage Hills Golf and RV Resort has over 40 level and grassy RV sites with full hookups and free Wi-Fi, a full-service restaurant and lounge (The 19th Bar & Grill–509-349-9925), a fenced swimming pool, a laundry facility and day-room for groups and tournaments. 

If you are heading to Eastern/Central Washington, you will want to make this popular destination a must-play on your schedule. For   information and pricing for golf and RV parking, see their website at www.Sagehillsgolf.com. (see their ad in this section of Inside Golf).

Sun Country Golf and RV Resort

Located 90 minutes east of Seattle and a few minutes off Interstate-90, Sun Country features an alpine course carved out of the trees. The yardage might be short for some, but the course plays long when the winds blow off the nearby slopes of the Cascade Mountains.

Suntides Golf Course

Probably one of the best kept secrets in Eastern Washington is Suntides Golf Course. This 18-hole par-70 course is nestled in a small valley just outside of Yakima near the Naches River and Highway 12. While not long at 5,914 yards, it offers plenty of hazards, lots of trees and well-placed bunkers, giving it some teeth.  The level terrain makes it a hit for walkers. There is a restaurant & lounge, large practice putting green and a driving range on property.  Suntides RV Park is adjacent to the course and has a recently established bike/walking trail near by. The park has manicured grass, mature shade trees, paved roads and sites that provide easy access for big rigs. 

Colockum Ridge GC

This 18-hole course is located in the heart of farming country with open fairways that are popular with locals and visitors.

Sunserra Golf Course

In Crescent Bay, there is a development called Sunserra. The course is truly a nine-hole treat. With holes that fit in with the rolling terrain, the course also offers some terrific views of the Columbia River and the entire area of Crescent Bar.

Crescent Bar

Crescent Bar Recreation Area is owned by the Grant County Public Utility District and managed by Central Washington Management Group. The campground was remodeled in 2017 and has 55 RV sites with paved pads. The course is 9 holes and the rates are great the best you will find anywhere – see their website for rates: www.crescentbarrecreation.com.

Banks Lake Golf Course

Often goes unnoticed as it is a bit off the beaten path in Electric City. This 18-hole public course opened in 1985 and is owned by the Port of Douglas County but run by volunteers. The course is 6,359 from the back tees with a slope of 119.