Inside Comments by Steve Turcotte

Finally got to play Wildhorse Casino Resort course

Along with my counterparts in Port Townsend I have helped produce Inside Golf Newspaper for over 37 years. I have been fortunate to see and play golf courses around the country and the world.  From places like Portugal to Australia to Mexico to Thailand, I have been lucky enough to see golf in different corners of the world.

But there was one corner of the world for some reason that kept escaping me. And this corner was, pardon the pun, right around the corner.

WIldhorse Casino Resort in Pendleton has been a place that has been a part of Inside Golf Newspaper for years and a place that has been on the Turcotte Bucket List of places to play in the Pacific Northwest. But for some reason or another the travel plans have never worked out for a trip to this part of Eastern Oregon.

But all that came to an end – and thanks to my coaching with the Highline College men’s golf team. Sometimes things just work out for a reason – when a tournament hosted by Blue Mountain College was set to be held at Wildhorse. I couldn’t get our golf team signed up fast enough for that tournament.

I had felt so bad for so long about no visiting a place that has been such a great supporter of our publication. But through the years we have done many stories, photos and most recently stories on the Epson Tour coming to Wildhorse Resort bringing together the future stars of the LPGA Tour.

But in October 2025 I finally made it. And it was worth it This is a place that has it all. The resort itself is a 200-room tower with plenty to offer everyone from gambling to movies to bowling to shows to food – you name it this place had it all.

And now, let’s get to the golf course. When the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation created this gem 30 years ago they knew what they were doing. This is a golf course which should be listed as one of the best casino courses in the country. The course was designed by John Steidel and is definitely one of the best in the Northwest. It is a place that has hosted plenty of championships from the professional to the amateur level. Good stuff for sure.

A few years ago, the Tribe bought what was the Pendleton Country Club and changed the name to Birch Creek. This is another gem. Now they have two. It makes the trip to Pendleton even more worthwhile.

And now after 30 years I can finally say I have played Wildhorse and will say it is one of my favorites in the Northwest, With this course it seemed to have everything from challenging holes, miles and miles of Eastern Oregon views and when the wind whips up – even more of a challenge.

And there’s more, as the resort is adding another hotel tower with more rooms and more of everything.

If you haven’t been, make sure to get there. It is worth the trip for sure. There is plenty to see and do.

Publisher’s Note: John Steidel designed Wildhorse and has also designed Apple Tree, Riverbend, Eaglemond and remodeled several courses around Washington state.

Steve Turcotte is editor of Inside Golf Newspaper. He can be reached at sdturcotte@comcast.net.