Rock Island Golf Course near Wenatchee grows to 18 holes

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Updated: April 4, 2011

By Brad Faller
Special to Inside Golf
Rock Island Golf Course south of Wenatchee has expanded from nine holes to 18, realizing a 20-year dream for course owner Don Barth.

“It’s been in the works forever,” says the self-taught course designer, who built the new nine holes himself with his own equipment. “The whole goal here has been to give Wenatchee a first-class golf course, with plenty of land and length.”

The new configuration will stretch the total course length to near 7,000 yards. The existing nine has been one of the longest nine-hole facilities in the state. Barth, who also owns Alta Lake Resort in Pateros and built Bear Mountain Ranch near Lake Chelan, said nine holes was just not enough.

“Rock Island sees about 18,000 rounds of golf per year, and most of it is local golfers. With 18 holes, I predict that number will be about 40,000,” said Barth.

Along with other area courses such as Highlander, Desert Canyon, and Three Lakes, the new and improved facility will expect to see increases in golf tourism to help boost rounds and be a good complement to the area’s golf industry.

Aside from the upgrade, Barth still wants to keep it attractive to all types of golfers. “The main thing was to keep it affordable,” says Barth. Despite the challenging weather during the weeks prior, the grand opening of the new nine took place on March 11th as planned.

For more information contact the golf shop at (509) 884-2806.