Lake Limerick Golf Course celebrates its 60th anniversary

Lake Limerick Golf Club is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Shelton, Washington and to fully appreciate the course you need to know its history.

In the mid ‘60s a community development was created by carving up approximately 880 acres of forest land. Included in that master plan was a man-made lake and a 9-hole golf course. Initially lots were purchased for weekend retreats functioning primarily as a recreational getaway. Over time the community expanded to encompass over 1,100 homes and most and the lot owners evolved into permanent residents and formed a tight-nit community who enjoyed the amenities like the lake and fishing, golf, numerous parks and common buildings and social activities.

The golf course terrain and layout of Lake Limerick Golf Course are characterized by the natural topography of the region, featuring native, tree-lined fairways enveloped by towering cedars, pines, and evergreens.

Unlike many smaller courses where playing 18 holes simply means walking the exact same 9 holes twice under identical conditions, Lake Limerick is specifically engineered with multiple sets of tees for each hole. It utilizes dual and alternate tees to provide a full 18-hole, par-72 experience spanning approximately 6,178 yards, right in the sweet spot for most golfers, which is between 6,000 and 6,500 yards.

Because the second loop utilizes alternate tee boxes, angles, yardages, and hazard strategies completely change on the back nine. An example would be the #8 hole that plays as a par 5 on the first nine and a tough par 4 on the second time around. Hole #7 is similar, going from a par-3 to a par-4.

At 6,178 yards it might imply that it is an easy course to breeze through. However, the course has some teeth. It is what we would call an old-school course, one where big hitters are not always rewarded and strategic shot-making wins over raw power. The course has been called a “thinkers course”, where shots must be in the right spot, especially off the tee in order to have a clear look at the green.

 Lake Limerick has reached a milestone this year and is celebrating their 60-year anniversary.  It is a testament to the quality of the course and the thousands of rounds and golfers that have enjoyed the course over the years.

Lake Limerick has also reached national recognition when it was ranked among the nation’s best short courses, earning the #19 spot on the GolfPass Golfers’ Choice list of top U.S. public short courses in 2024.

Lake Limerick Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch especially before or after golf. The staff in the pro shop and cafe are friendly and produce a welcoming atmosphere to everyone.

For more information about Lake Limerick Golf Club, please visit https://lakelimerickgolf.com.