Northwest Indian Tribes are important to the local golf landscape

From Oregon to Washington to Idaho, Pacific Northwest Indian Tribes are always looking to expand their business while keeping the casino as the center piece. Venturing into golf course ownership has become a major investment and adding a hotel completed the resort package.         

All three Pacific Northwest states now have Indian Tribes that own golf courses. And many of these courses are ranked among the best in the Northwest.

Most Indian Tribes have bought golf courses that were already in existence, but other Tribes have designed and developed their own golf courses like the Squaxin Island Tribe with Salish Cliffs in Shelton, Wash. and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in Idaho with its Circling Raven Golf Club. Both of these golf courses are ranked among the best in the Pacific Northwest.

The state of Washington has the most Indian Tribe-owned courses with nine, Oregon has four and Idaho has one. 

Most recently, the Nez Pearce Tribe, in Lewiston, Idaho, bought the Clarkston Golf and Country Club and renamed it Red Wolf Golf Club.  Tribe also owns Clearwater River Casino and lodge.

The last few years have been busy ones for Washington tribes: Here is a quick look at what Washington tribes have done with the golf business in the state.

• The Kalispel Tribe of Indians purchased Kalispel Golf and Country Club in 2015. The course is private, but there is still opportunity for the public to play via the many charity events held each year or through the Northern Quest Resort Stay and Play Packages.  The Club and PGA professional staff are heavily involved with local junior golf, introducing Spokane youth to the game and aligning with the community and child focused philanthropic goals of the Tribe.  This historic course is located in North Spokane along the Little Spokane River. The inaugural U.S. Women’s Open was hosted there and the updated course is kept in pristine condition for golfers to enjoy.

• Oaksridge Golf Course was bought by the Chehalis Indian Tribe in 2019 and the golf course gives the tribe a new amenity to go along with its Lucky Eagle Casino. The course is popular with the locals and is visible from the Olympic Hwy as you head west toward the coast.

• Salish Cliffs Golf Club is owned by the Squaxin Island Tribe and located in Shelton. The best description for the golf course is stunning. It is world-class golf that plays to 7,269 yards from the tips or as short as 5,313 yards from the forward tees – 5 sets of tees to choose from. Bentgrass fairways and greens and total privacy on 16 of the 18 holes that are encircled in lush forestry. Carts are required as the course covers over 300 acres with several long distances between holes and frequent elevation changes. The cedar log clubhouse has a full service restaurant.  The adjacent Little Creek Casino Resort is a perfect get away with spacious rooms, the Seven Inlets Spa, and RV Park.

• The Puyallup Tribe of Indians also got into the golf business by buying North Shore Golf Course in Tacoma. It is the perfect amenity to go with its brand new Emerald Queen casino that just opened along Interstate-5 and its other Emerald Queen casino and a hotel. Changes like a new pro shop and practice area have given North Shore a new look.

• The Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe bought Dungeness Golf Club and changed the name to The Cedars at Dungeness and started making significant improvements to the entrance and the grounds around the clubhouse. The course has been manicured to resort standards.

• The Swinomish Indian Tribe bought Similk Golf Course in Anacortes in 2013 and changed the name to Swinomish Golf Links. The Swinomish Casino and Lodge comes complete with a hotel, casino and terrific RV park overlooking the water. There are plenty of restaurant choices as well as other amenities to go with this terrific property.

• White Horse Golf Club is owned by the Suquamish Indian Tribe which operates the Clearwater Casino Resort located between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. The course was recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 10 new public golf courses in 2010.

• Loomis Trail in Ferndale was bought by the Lummi Nation Tribe in October of 2018. While the course has always been in great condition, no changes were expected. The clubhouse grill has been remodeled to create a sports bar feel.  Being affiliated with the Silver Reef Casino provides several stay and play options to guests. There are also 15 rooms at the golf course that are available, a shuttle is available between the course and the casino. The Silver Reef has 10 dining options from The Steak House to The Cantina Bar.

• The Nez Pearce Tribe bought the Clarkston Golf and Country Club and re-named it Red Wolf Golf Club. The tribe owns The Clearwater River Casino & Lodge, in Lewiston, Idaho, a 15-minute drive away. The 18-hole course is a lush greenbelt that sits beside the Snake River in Clarkston, Wash. and is semi-private and open to the public. Several big tournaments have been held here, including two Pac-12 championships and several PNGA championships. It plays to 6,700 yards from the back tees.

Here is a look at tribal-owned golf courses and resorts in the state of Oregon.

•  Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton has a new clubhouse and pro shop at the golf course. The new clubhouse includes a large banquet room, a bar and a covered patio for guests to enjoy.  The clubhouse also features a conference room for small meetings and intimate events. A larger room is available for staff or officials to gather and compile scores for tournaments.

The outdoor pavilion has been moved east of the clubhouse and provides a large shaded for events and tournament meals. The Wildhorse Casino Resort has one of the biggest and best RV parks with all of the services you would expect in an up-scale facility.

The casino has a 10-story hotel where guests have free access to the fitness center and business center, or relax in the indoor pool, sauna and hot tub. There is also five-screen Cineplex in the casino.  The tribe also purchased the Pendleton Country Club, which is now called the Golf Course at Birch Creek and open to the public.

• Ocean Dunes Golf Links is located in Florence, Oregon, situated in a stretch of dunes that covers about 40 miles of Oregon coastline, making it one of the most unique golfing experiences in the Northwest.

A true links course with fairways that wander over, around, and through dunes bordered by gorse, heather, shore pins and sea grasses. Narrow fairways and smallish greens will challenge every golfer’s game.

If you are planning a trip down the Oregon Coast, this course should be on your must-play list. As with any true links, the course is extremely well drained and playable – even under the wettest conditions – year round. The mild coastal climate in Florence is not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter.

Ocean Dunes is owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians who also own the Three Rivers Casino Resort. The casino is located at the south end of the golf course and has 90 oversized deluxe rooms and suites to choose from. With 5 restaurants, daily entertainment and countless amenities, guests will want to check out the stay and play packages on their website.

• Chinook Winds in Lincoln City used to be called Lakeside GC and was bought by the Confederated tribes of Siletz Indians. The 18-hole course plays to 4,547 yards. The course includes a pro shop –the only indoor driving range on the Oregon Coas–a fitness center, Aces Sports Bar & Grill and meeting rooms. The resort offers 243 rooms including 160 oceanfront rooms; 61 of them fireplace suites.

Idaho tribal golf course• Circling Raven: Located about a half-hour south of Coeur d’Alene or east of Spokane. The course is owned by the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe and was part of a $30 million expansion project by the tribe that includes new hotel rooms and more. The course plays to 7,189 yards from the tips and is spread out over 400 acres. Adjacent to the course is the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. This course is a must-play when visiting the Spokane area.