Portland’s Heron Lakes named one of top courses in the country

Heron Lakes Golf Club, proudly owned by the City of Portland, operated by Portland Parks & Recreation and managed by leading sports, entertainment and hospitality company KemperSports, is excited to share that its Great Blue and Greenback Courses both appeared on GOLF.com’s latest list of the best golf courses in the country for $100 or less. The list was compiled by GOLF.com raters, editors, industry experts and readers.

“We are honored to be recognized by GOLF.com on this new list and mentioned alongside other premier public courses throughout the country,” said KemperSports Regional General Manager for Portland Parks Golf Kylen Trevor. “Great golf doesn’t have to break the bank, and we’re an example of that. Together with the City of Portland and Portland Parks & Recreation, we are committed to providing city residents and visitors with affordable, accessible and fun opportunities to experience the great game of golf, and we are excited to continue doing just that in the years to come.”

To qualify for the list, courses needed to be accessible to the public, the kind of golf experience people would recommend to a friend and offer peak-season weekend walking rates that do not exceed $100. Great Blue’s peak weekend walking rate is $56, while Greenback’s is $53. Both courses are also among the roughly 40 percent on the list that are owned by a municipality.

Located a short drive north of downtown Portland on 340 acres that was previously part of Vanport City, which at one time was the second-largest city in Oregon, Heron Lakes’ two 18-hole golf courses are designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. The first 18 holes (present day Greenback) and clubhouse opened in 1971 under the name West Delta Park Golf Course.

Along with the name change to Heron Lakes, an additional 18 holes were added from 1971 through 1992 to form the present Great Blue Course. The 36-hole facility has been managed by KemperSports since 2008.

As one of the only few public 36-hole golf facilities in the Pacific Northwest, Heron Lakes has attracted many notable events over the years, including the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship (1979, Greenback; 2000, Great Blue), PGA Northwest Open (1988-91, Greenback; 1992, Great Blue) and Neil Lomax NFL Quarterback Shootout (1991-2004, Great Blue). Recently, Greenback and Great Blue ranked No. 20 and No. 17, respectively, on GolfPass’ list of the top 20 golf courses in Oregon.

For more information about Heron Lakes, visit www.portlandparksgolf.com/heron-lakes.

Heron Lakes Golf Club, part of the Portland Parks Golf system, is a premier public golf destination located in Portland, Oregon. The club features two distinct 18-hole courses— the challenging Great Blue Course and the more forgiving Greenback Course—each designed to provide an exceptional golfing experience for players of all levels. Heron Lakes is renowned for its outstanding course conditions, including its well-maintained greens, which have recently received high praise from golfers and participants in the latest junior championships.

As a community-focused facility, Heron Lakes offers a wide range of amenities, including a fully stocked pro shop, practice areas, and a driving range. The club is dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for recreational play, competitive tournaments, and player development programs.

Managed by Portland Parks Golf, Heron Lakes combines quality, accessibility, and affordability, making it an ideal choice for golf enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest.