Columbia Point celebrates 25th anniversary

Columbia Point celebrates 25th anniversary

To paraphrase Jack Nicklaus, who once described his design preference would be wide fairway landing areas for tee shots and an emphasis on the second or approach shots. The renowned golf architect Jim Engh out of Colorado delivered on that philosophy when he designed Columbia Point Golf Course in Richland, Wash. in 1997.

With only 130 acres to work with, Engh did a masterful job designing Columbia Point, to not only be challenging, but esthetically pleasing. Though many of the holes are side by side, Engh placed high mounding between them, separating them visually and protecting golfers from errant shots from the parallel fairways.

The practice facility features 3,900 square-foot chipping/pitching green with a practice bunker. The chipping green has rolling mounds around the green to simulate the design of an actual course. The driving range can accommodate 20 golfers on grass tees. 

The course is not long by today’s standards at 6,517 yards from the Black tees, 5,965 from the Blue, 5,378 from the White, and 2,128 from the Red tees.  It is playable and enjoyable for all levels of golfers and will provide all the challenge you desire in a round of golf. With four ponds, strategic bunker placement and fairways squeezed by trees, it requires some skill to make par surrender. With no hills to climb, it is easily walkable for golfers who prefer to walk.

Most golfers west of the mountains know that the warmest driest weather in the state resides in the Tri-Cities. While it can get a bit too warm for some in July and August, the spring and fall seasons are ideal golfing weather. With the exception of a few scattered cold snaps in the winter months, most of the time the weather is moderately cold.

Columbia Point has been under the stewardship of the General Manager and Head Professional Joe Creager for the past 25 years, you might recognize him with his welcoming smile. His professional crew prides itself in providing an enjoyable experience for all at Columbia Point.

Looking to the future, City of Richland in partnership with CourseCo (the management team), is poised to begin remodeling the clubhouse to include a popular taphouse theme with expanded seating area both in and outdoors.  Initial improvements already completed include exterior lighting, and repainting of the clubhouse.  All current and future modifications have the goal of adding to the already elevated customer experience at Columbia Point Golf Course.

Visit www.playcolumbiaspoint.com for more on Columbia Point Golf Course.