Emerald Valley GC

By
Updated: March 4, 2010

Course: Par-72, 7,148 yards
Owner: Jim Pliska
Course information: Emerald Valley is located in Creswell, Oregon and is the home course for the University of Oregon Men’s and Women’s golf teams. Ranked Oregon’s course of the year in 2004.
Website: www.emeraldvalleygolf.com
Phone: 541-895-2174

Brad Leiken, the general manager and head professional at Emerald Valley in Creswell, Oregon, likes to think of his course as a “tournament course.” And why not? the course, located just minutes from the University of Oregon campus, has hosted some of the top events in the Northwest and was voted as the best course in Oregon from the tips.

Emerald Valley, owned by Jim Pliska, has hosted U.S. Open qualifiers, Oregon high school championships, the PNGA men’s Amateur and is the home course for the Duck men’s and women’s golf teams.

“We’ve got a great tournament course here,” said Leiken. “Just ask some of the guys who have played in the qualifiers for the U.S. Open.”

But Emerald Valley is also user friendly. The course can play anywhere from 5,347 yards to 7,148 yards and offers a serene setting along the coast fork of the Willamette River. The course has made some nice improvements to keep up their reputation of one of the best-conditioned courses in the area. A project to re-model many of the bunkers has been completed and a new tee box has stretched the par-5 13th hole to over 600 yard. In fact, no one has yet to reach the green on the 13th hole in two shots since the new tee box has been open for play.

The signature hole must be the 14th hole, a winding par-4 that stretches to 453 yards and features two ponds and a new bunker complex near the green.

What also makes the course stand out is that every hole is tree-lined, meaning the tee shot must be straight or second shots will be played through the trees. The course stretches out over the 170 acres it has been built on.

A new Comfort Inn and Suites has been built by the owners of the course, and sits minutes from the course and just off Interstate-5. Stay and play packages have been put together from $149 and includes a night’s lodging, golf and more.

Green fees are $45 during the week and $50 on weekends. Memberships are available for individuals and families.

Call 541.895.2174 for information.