Washington resorts: Golfers have several choices when it comes to selecting a golf resort in Washington

Here is a short description of each resort that we hope will help you when planning your visit.

Suncadia: Outdoor paradise
One of the newest resorts to 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 in 2004. The second, the private Tumblecreek opened in 2005 and the third course called Rope Rider opened in 2011

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: Columbia 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: Golf doubleheader
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 with plenty of water and sand. It’s a great layout and playable for all levels of golfers.

Loomis Trail Golf Club is a challenging course with a lot of character that will test your golfing skills from the first to the last hole. The course is considered one of the top golf courses in the Pacific Northwest.

Port Ludlow: One of the best
Port Ludlow for years has been ranked as one of the top golf resorts in the 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.

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.

Alderbrook: Twists and turns
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 (starting in June).

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

This is a true resort course, with wide landing areas and multiple tees for the recreational golfer. It has length, doglegs and hidden hazards. It is the only course in Washington with a par five that plays into an island green. This beautiful finishing hole has been voted best par 5 finishing hole in the state. 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.

Desert Canyon: Par-5 challenge
Desert Canyon presents one great hole after another. The Central Washington golf resort also provides outstanding high-quality lodging at the course with 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 downhill 691-yard par-5 with great views of the Columbia River as it winds along the top of a canyon peak. The course is loaded with memorable views and some outstanding golf holes. Don Barth, along with partners Lyn and Randy Anderson bought Desert Canyon Golf Resort in Orondo, Wash. last year and they are already making some nice changes on and off the golf course.

On the course, conditions have improved from tee to green and areas around the holes have been cleaned up to help with appearances.

Off the course, package deals with the Lodge at Desert Canyon have been put together to accommodate golfers from all over the Pacific Northwest.

For more information check out www.desertcanyon.com or call the resort at 800.258.4173.

Kahler Glen: Wilderness treat
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: Memorable green
Apple Tree is turning into a full-fledged resort with a memorable golf course. The most outstanding feature on the course 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.

Apple Tree is also home to plenty of housing opportunities along and around the golf course as well.

Moses Pointe: Links-style golf
Links-style courses in the Pacific Northwest might be hard to fine, but that’s what you’ll find at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake. The 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.

Little Creek Resort: Salish Cliffs
The Squaxin Island Indian tribe got involved in the resort business with its Little Creek Casino. Then came a hotel. then a concert hall. Their latest endeavor came with the award-winning Salish Cliffs Golf Course, designed by Gene Bates.

The course gives the Little Creek Resort something special.

The hotel at the Little Creek is first-class. Guests are treated to great food, all of the gambling options you could want, and top entertainment. And now, with the opening of the Salish Cliffs Golf Course, the resort boasts one of the top courses in the Northwest. In fact, the course was ranked among the top new courses in the country last year. The course winds through trees and features plenty of water and sand to keep your attention throughout the round. The driving range is a place that will keep you busy all day as well.

7Cedars Resort: Dungeness
The Jamestown S’kallam Indian Tribe purchased the Dungeness Golf Club a few years ago and renamed it the Cedars at Dungeness, in line with the 7 Cedars Casino.

The new owners have put a lot of money and effort in to improving the entrance to the course and clubhouse. Located in Sequim, the golf course is one of the driest in the Northwest, due to the Olympic Rain Shadow affect. The casino is loaded with games, entertainment and dining options. There is also plenty of sightseeing to do in the area, located on the Olympic Peninsula.

Clearwater Resort: White Horse
The Suquamish Indian Tribe first got into the resort business with the opening of its Clearwater Resort near Kingston. And more recently, the tribe entered into the golf business when it purchased the White Horse Golf Club, giving it yet another amenity for the resort.

The hotel features 85 waterfront rooms, a spa and plenty of meeting spaces to lure businesses in from out of town.

The White Horse Golf Club is a treat, measuring 7,093 yards from the back tees and featuring views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. The resort is only a short ferry ride from Edmonds and then just 15 minutes drive. Arrangements can be made to have a shuttle pick up golfers at the Kingston ferry dock. The ferry ride and the resort course make for an outstanding and memorable golf outing.