Gamble Sands is set for ‘14 opening in Brewster

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Updated: November 1, 2013

The North Central Washington town of Brewster will be the home for the newest golf courses in the Pacific Northwest when Gamble Sands opens up for public play next August.

Gamble Sands is designed by Scottish native Kidd whose resume’ includes Bandon Dunes, Huntsman Springs in Idaho, Tetherow in Oregon and the Castle Course in St. Andrews, Scotland.

“This is unadulterated golf from beginning to end,” said Kidd of his latest course.

The course is built on property owned by the Gebbers family. The course name honors the first settlers (the Gambles) of the land that is now owned by the Gebbers family. The Gebbers are now in their fifth generation with roots back to the 1880s in Okanogan County. The family owns more than 100,000 acres, and are among the world’s largest growers of apples and cherries.

A major figure in the project is Orrin Vincent of OB Sports. It was Vincent who told Cass Gebbers (one of the owners and developers of the project), “I know a guy (Kidd) who can build you guys a course.”

The family had started construction of a Perry Dye course at a site on a hill overlooking Brewster before the recession hit in 2008. Three holes were finished before work was suspended.

The priority now is to open the Gamble Sands course next summer. The possibility exists that within five years the Dye course will be completed and open and there may even be a new hotel next to it. Vincent envisions Brewster as a golf destination similar to Bandon, Ore., and Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen, Neb.

The new course can play as long as 7,305 yards or as short as 4,920. yards. The course will be open to the public but will have memberships available as well.