Southwest Washington

When you think of golf destinations, Southwest Washington doesn’t really roll right off the tongue. But when you think about it, why not.

There are plenty of courses, and good golf at that. There are the tourist activities, including the Washington Coast, the Great Wolf Lodge just south of Olympia, the casinos as well as the outlet malls in Centralia. And don’t forget the side trips, like taking a drive to Mount St. Helens or fishing the local rivers and streams.

And combined with some of the golf courses like Camas Meadows (pictured top right), Tri Mountain (right bottom) and other top-notch courses, you can see why we consider the area a golfing destination.

Throw in the fact that the area is a short drive away from both Portland and Seattle, Southwest Washington really is a place that is convenient, with a good mix of golf and non-golf activities.

The Washington Coast might not be loaded with golf courses, but Ocean Shores is a great option and the Quinault Beach Resort is a place to stay, eat and gamble right next to the beach.

For more of a resort feel, Skamania Lodge has what you might be looking for from its 254-room resort hotel, spa, fitness room, swimming pools and 18-hole golf course that overlooks the Columbia River just east of Vancouver.

And if you are looking for some of the top public golf around, look no further than The Home Course in DuPont to Green Mountain just east Vancouver and anything in between, like Riverside in Chehalis and Lewis River in Woodland.

Practice is not a problem with places like Airport Golf, which has a 9-hole course as well as a practice area and the Vanco Driving Range in Vancouver.

Shopping? No problem. The outlet malls in Centralia are a popular stop along Interstate-5.

We think you will find that it certainly is a remarkable destination after all.