Swinomish Tribe adds another amenity to its resort by buying a golf course

Last fall, the Swinomish Indian Tribe decided to add another amenity to its resort located in Anacortes, Wash. The addition of Simllk Beach Golf Course gave the tribe a new way to bring in guests to its resort.

And the changes have come quickly.

The course has been re-named Swinomish Golf Links and the tribe has wasted no time in doing things like adding maintenance equipment and improving the driving range. Course improvements are sure to follow.

“Changes are coming,” said Mike Simpson, the Golf Operations Manager for the course. “While some improvements take time, the tribe is committed to dramatically improving the facility.”

The course added a new superintendent in Matt Atterberry, who came to the Swinomish Golf Links after 10 years at Suncadia Resort. He is already making a big difference. Fairways along the course are now defined with new fairway mowers and other little touches are happening all the time.

Head professional Josh Williams will be adding teaching areas at the driving range in addition to giving lessons and doing club fittings at the golf studio in the hotel.

Nothing major in terms of course re-modeling work is on the drawing board – just yet.

“The first thing is we want to improve the course conditioning – and that will take some time,” said Simpson. “We want the course to be an asset to the community, and become a valuable amenity to the casino and lodge.”

Little changes like new mats and range balls for the driving range and new maintenance equipment are the things that Simpson hopes people will see and notice that the winds of change are here.

The original Similk Beach Golf Course opened with nine holes in 1927 and then added a second nine in 1955.

The Swinomish Casino and Lodge now includes a golf course, hotel, casino, RV park, golf club fitting and lesson studio.