Washington Golf Resorts

Golf is the word at Suncadia
One of the newest resorts come on the radar in the state of Washington – Suncadia Resort in Roslyn, in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

The first course, called Prospector, opened all 18 holes five years ago. The second, the private Tumblecreek opened four years ago and the third, Roperider is currently under construction.

The resort is part of a large housing community with all of the amenities you’d expect to find a top-notch resort. Also open are a hotel, shopping area and more.

With the resort located so close to the Cascade Mountains, there are plenty of outdoor options. Snoqualmie Pass skiing area is right up the road.

Skamania’s river view
Since opening in 1993, Skamania Lodge has been the perfect type of weekend getaway for golfers around the Pacific Northwest.

Tucked on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River, the Skamania Lodge features a hotel with nearly 200 rooms, a place for businesses to bring in outside conferences and outdoor activities for the non-golfers in the group.

The course itself may not be long, measuring 5,800 yards, but it presents plenty of challenges with some tight fairways and stunning views of the Columbia River.

There are also plenty of other things to do nearby, including visiting Multnomah Falls and a walk to the top.

Semiahmoo has a pair
Semiahmoo Resort, which is located in Washington’s northwest corner in Blaine, offers guests the chance to play, not only the Resort course, but also the Loomis Trail course. Both courses are open to resort guests.

Loomis Trail used to be completely private, but new ownership decided to open the course up for hotel guests. The resort was bought by the owners of the Skagit Casino, which is located just south in Bow, Wash.

Since opening up, many golfers have decided to make a weekend out of traveling to Semiahmoo Resort, playing both courses and enjoying the resorts many amenities.

The Resort course features an Arnold Palmer designed layout and plenty of water and sand. It’s a great layout and playable for all levels of golfers.

Loomis Trail Golf Club features a different setting, offering some links for you to try and some typical Northwest golf. The course is always in immaculate condition and considered one of the top tracks in the Pacific Northwest.

Changes at Port Ludlow
Port Ludlow for years has been ranked as one of the top golf resorts in the Pacific Northwest. And for good reason, the reason seems to have it all.

Port Ludlow Resort, which sits on the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, offers 18 holes of golf with its Tide and Timber Nines. The Trail Nine is being shut down this year.

Most people who travel to Port Ludlow Resort usually make a day out of it, playing 18 holes and then settling in for the night at one of the resort’s condos or the resort hotel down on the water. There’s also plenty to do, including kayaking, bike riding, hiking and checking out the nearby town of Port Townsend.

A tree-trimming project has opened up some terrific views around the course. From the first hole, the Olympic Mountains can now be seen and there are more views along the way.

Dungeness and the sun
The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Club in Sequim, on the Olympic Peninsula gives golfers the chance to take in the sights and sounds of the Olympic Peninsula. Then, there’s also the matter of taking on Dungeness “Crabby” bunker. The bunker is a raised mound that sits in front of the green on the third hole, a par-5, and offers plenty of problems for those who hit errant shots.

The golf course is known for its quality greens and the variety of challenging holes. Number 18 is among the best finishing holes in the Northwest and requires a precise drive and a second shot to an elevated green.

The Jamestown ‘Skallam Indian Tribe bought the course two years ago to go along with its Seven Cedars Casino and changed the name to The Cedars at Dungeness.

Alderbrook’s takes a turn
Alderbrook Golf Resort in Union, along Hood Canal, presents plenty of dramatic holes in a forest-like setting.

The opening hole starts right out by requiring a straight tee shot and then an even straighter second shot. There’s the 18th hole, a downhill par-5, with a panoramic backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. And then there is the infamous S-hole. The 8th hole, an S-shaped par-5 can be one of the toughest holes on the course. The hole goes about 200 yards before bending to the right. Then another 200 yards before it bends back to the left.

The remodeled Inn on the Hood Canal offers lodging and golf packages.

Homestead par-5 island
Homestead Farms Golf Resort in Lynden features plenty of amenities, including a putting course, condos, exercise room, restaurant and more.

And don’ forget about the 18th hole, a par-5 with an island green. It’s an island green that has received national notice for its beauty and toughness.

The hole is reachable in two, but it does take two good pokes to get there, since the hole measures over 500 yards from the back tees. The island green features multiple levels.

The group that owns Great Links Resorts owns Homestead Farms.

Desert Canyon’s long one
Desert Canyon features one great hole after another. The Central Washington golf resort also features terrific places to stay along the course, a first-class restaurant and a world-class putting course.

Desert Canyon is also home to one of the longest holes in the Northwest.

The sixth hole is a 691-yard par-5 that features great views of the Columbia River and runs along a canyon. The course was sold to the owners of Homestead Farms Golf Club a few years ago. But Desert Canyon was already part of the Great Links Golf Group, which has four resorts in Washington, all with stay and play packages.

Kahler Glen’s wilderness
Kahler Glen Golf and Ski Resort, in Leavenworth, features a challenging golf course and plenty of chances to see Central Washington’s forested beauty.

There are stay-and-play packages available and plenty of things to do, including hiking, fishing and taking in the sights and sounds of the nearby Bavarian Village of Leavenworth. And the golf is good, too. What makes the course enjoyable is the hilly–elevated terrain that you must negotiate throughout the 18 holes. The long 12th hole will make you hit everything in your bag. It is a prodigious 630-yard par-5.

Apple Tree’s apple green
Apple Tree is turning into a full-fledged resort and has terrific golf to offer. But there is one thing you will remember after your round is finished – the apple-shaped 17th green.

The par-3 hole features an elevated tee box with the tee shot being hit to an island green that is shaped like, what else, an apple. The stem is a sand trap and the green itself measures more than 10,000 square feet.

Moses Pointe has links
Links-style in the Pacific Northwest might be hard to fine, but Moses Pointe in Moses Lake is worth the drive. The links-style course features plenty of sand, water and tall native grasses, so make sure you bring for best game.

Moses Pointe also has some terrific dining and sits near the shores of Moses Lake for water sports.