Tour Central Washington Golf Courses

There might not be a better area for a golf getaway than Central Washington, with its sunny weather and variety of golf courses. Just over the Cascade Mountain Range, the scenic drive will put you into a completely different climate. Here’s a look at some of the golf courses you will find there.

Lake Chelan Golf Course

Ever since it was built in 1970, Lake Chelan Golf Course has always been a popular spot for golfers visiting the area.  Located on the lake’s north side, Lake Chelan is a solid par-72 golf course that sits on a bluff with unparalleled views of the lake that will stay in your memory. The course has three sets of tees and plays to 6,445 yards from the blue tees with a slope of 124.

The reviews by visitors to Lake Chelan all talk about the fantastic views and the great condition of the course. If you are planning a trip to the Wenatchee/Chelan area you will want to put Lake Chelan Golf Course on your itinerary.

Apple Tree Golf Club

Apple Tree in Yakima is one of the Northwest’s iconic golf courses and given a 4-Star rating by Golf Digest. The signature par-3 17th hole with its apple-shaped island green is one of the state’s most recognizable holes. The hole is a masterpiece of golf architecture that measures over 10,000 square feet. The 17th hole is only one of many great holes at Apple Tree Resort. The course winds through 100-year old apple orchards with some stunning water hazards and challenging elevation changes. The course and greens are always in perfect condition. The view from the 18th tee belongs on a postcard with the vast network of ponds and the clubhouse perched high on the hilltop. Stay & Play packages are available on-site at the Braeburn Lodge Condominiums as well as the Best Western Plus Ahtanum Inn and the Holiday Inn.

A new project near the clubhouse will open this summer which includes a swimming pool, hot tub, pickleball courts, grass covered area and a covered cabana.

Suntides Golf Course

Probably one of the best kept secrets in Eastern Washington is Suntides Golf Course. This 18-hole par-70 course is nestled in a small valley just outside of Yakima near the Naches River and Highway 12. While not long at 5,914 yards, it offers plenty of hazards, lots of trees and well-placed bunkers, giving it some teeth.  The level terrain makes it a hit for walkers. There is a full-service restaurant & lounge, a large practice putting green and a driving range on property.  Suntides up-scale RV Park is adjacent to the course and has a recently established bike/walking trail near by. The park has manicured grass, mature shade trees, paved roads.

Vic Meyers at Sun Lakes

The nine-hole Vic Meyers course and Sun Lakes Park Resort is one of the most popular destinations for Pacific Northwest families and golfers. Located 40 minutes north of Moses Lake, the resort has been a hit for families because of the variety of activities available here. The golf course is called Vic Meyer, named after a former Lt. Governor of Washington who was responsible for getting it build.  Sun Lakes Park Resort has always been a hot spot, no pun intended, for golfers and non-golfers alike. Outdoor activities include putt-putt golf, Water Wars, swimming, bike riding, hiking, paddle boating, fishing and, of course, golf. There are a variety of ways to enjoy your trip to Sun Lakes. The resort offers cabins, tent sites and hundreds of RV sites with full hookups.

Gamble Sands

Gamble Sands is an award winning course in Brewster, Wash. developed by the Gebbers family and is managed by OB Sports Golf Management. From the championship courses to the 37-room inn to the Cascade Putting Course, it is a first-class resort. The course sits above the Columbia River and the David McLay-Kidd layout is ranked among the best in the country.                  

This facility is absolutely stunning and must be on everyone’s bucket list as it offers a golfing experience like no other. The 14-hole par-3 golf course called QuickSands will play differently every day with routing changes.

And a second championship course has been designed by McLay-Kidd and broke ground last year and expected to open later this year.

Columbia Point Golf Course

Located in Richland, Columbia Point Golf Course is an upscale and daily fee facility adjacent to the Columbia River. The course is owned by the City of Richland and measures 6,571 yards from the back tees. It celebrated its 25th year in 2022.

Nothing too complicated greets the average golfer but the course does have water hazards and numerous bunkers that will need to be avoided.  The most recognizable features are the mounds separating several of the rolling fairways and large undulating greens.  If your short game is MIA, you might want to put in some practice time on the range before you hit the course. Columbia Point has a full-service restaurant/bar with a covered patio and panoramic views of the front nine.

The Links at Moses Pointe

The Links at Moses Pointe is located just four miles off of interstate 90 in Moses Lake, Wash., and has been a favorite destination for golfers since opening in 1999.

Having hosted the 2005 and 2008 Washington State Amateur Championship as well as the 2011 Pacific Northwest Public Links, Moses Pointe has proven to be a test to the games best players.

In addition to great golf, you’ll find one of the regions favorite restaurants – Mulligans at the Pointe! Amazing burgers and specialty sandwiches await, along with a terrific selection of beverages and a featured entree every weekend.

With great golf, 300 plus days of sunshine, and a growing residential golf community, Moses Pointe is sure to become your next home away from home, or who knows, maybe your next home? For a hole by hole visual tour of the course, visit www.mosespointe.com.

Horn Rapids Golf Course

Horn Rapids Golf Club, located outside of Richland and has suffered from delayed maintenance in recent years, but a new owner took over the course in 2019 and has been aggressively upgrading the entire facility. The sloping, slick greens provide plenty of character and will challenge your short game. 

The course plays 6,954 yards from the back tees and boasts a 73.6 rating with a slope of 130.         

If you have an RV there is Horn Rapids RV Resort, a five-star RV resort just across the highway with 225 parking pads.

Desert Canyon Golf Course

Desert terrain creates a course with desert style target golf.  Located in Orondo, Washington, Desert Canyon features 7,217 yards from the longest tees. It was designed by Jack Frei and opened in 1993.  It has received numerous accolades over the years.

Bear Mountain Ranch

Set among a natural setting with plenty of elevation changes with numerous blind shots. At over 7,230 yards from the back tees, Bear Mountain Ranch is a test for the low handicapper, but will be tough for the less accomplished golfer, it does have four sets of tees. The course uses the natural terrain of carved plateaus and each hole features lake and mountain views.

Highlander Golf Club

At 800 feet above the Columbia River it is a breathtaking piece of property that boasts a masterpiece designed by John Steidel and built by Jim Haley (Haley created and shaped Bandon Dunes). This one is called Highlander and it lives up to the name with magnificent panoramic views of the river and surrounding hills.

In 2011 many deciduous trees were added to frame the fairways on the front nine, a spectacular water feature was added between holes two and three. Today, the trees have grown up and add definition to the fairways.

In the spring of 2013, the back nine was the focus of many upgrades including the addition of a new canyon carry hole, giving the course three holes now that offer a cross-canyon shot. Brand new holes were built (17 & 18) and major changes to four others (10,14,15 &16) plus the addition of evergreen trees and more water making this par-70 course the buzz of the region.

The club also has added full swing simulators inside the clubhouse.

Leavenworth Golf Course

There’s more to the town of Leavenworth than just Bavarian fun like Oktoberfest, Mayfest and the annual Christmas tree Lighting ceremonies. Leavenworth Golf Course is a short drive from downtown and is surrounded by mountains. The Wenatchee River flows beside the course where you might see some fun loving partiers drifting by during the summer months.

The course is short with the tall trees lining the fairways and the small firm raised greens can be frustrating, making it seem like it plays longer than its 5,711 yards.

Desert Aire Golf Course

Desert Aire Golf Course, located in Mattawa, Wash. and was rated 3 stars by Golf Digest. Recent remodel of the RV parking added more sites for overnight camping. It now has 14 RV sites with full hookups. The course has generous fairways and the ball rollout that only desert golf can provide.

Suncadia Resort

Suncadia is a planned resort community in Cle Elum about an hour’s drive from Seattle.  There are three courses: Prospector and Rope Rider are the public courses and the private Tumble Creek.  The courses meanders through tall pines, with lakes and creeks dotting the landscape with spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains. There is plenty to like with the resort, including miles of bike trails, a hotel on site and some outdoor recreations areas for home owners and visitors.

Wine Valley Golf Club

Walla Walla is no stranger to new vintages.  The once-sleepy hamlet in the southeastern corner of the state has become one of the premier wine destinations in the United States. But if you were looking to pair fine public-access golf with wine touring and tasting, the pickings were slim.  The uncorking of Wine Valley Golf Club changed all that for the area. Ranked as one of the top courses in Washington by Golfweek, Wine Valley has been added to the must-play list for golf enthusiasts. It is also ranked among the courses on the list of top Modern Courses.

Wine Valley Golf Club, designed by Oregon native Dan Hixson, blends immense scale, inspiring scenery and strategic challenges into a championship golf experience. The course has hosted the Northwest Open and the PNGA Men’s Amateur.

Sun Willows Golf Course

Sun Willows Golf Course, in Pasco, is a Robert Muir Graves designed public 18-hole, par-72 course. It opened in 1963 and was redesigned in 1980 by local golf course architect John Steidel. A favorite of Tri-City golfers, it is a traditional and challenging Northwest style course with mature trees that line rolling fairways and large undulating greens.  You can play the course from 6,715 yards at the tips or as short as 5,695 yards from the forward tees. There are 32 bunkers and five lakes that will keep you focused.

Othello Golf Course

Othello Golf Course is a nine-hole course that plays to 3,066 yards with two sets of tee giving you the feel of an 18-hole course. There is a nice full-service restaurant on property with a huge deck overlooking the course. The course offers space for a few overnight RVs with electric hookups. Water and septic hookup are not provided. Check the pro shop for rates and availability.

Canyon Lakes Golf Course

Canyon Lakes has won a variety of awards, including voted as Best Golf Course by the People‘s Choice Awards in the Tri-Cities area making it the most popular course in the area.  Rated 4 1/2 Stars by Golf Digest, making it the highest rated course in the Tri-Cities and shares the highest ranking in Washington State.  In addition to the lofty rating, Northwest Travel Magazine selected Canyon Lakes as one of 18 Best in the Pacific Northwest.”

Canyon Lakes is famous for large, fast, undulating greens with the 12th hole touted as the largest green in the Pacific Northwest at 12,000 square feet. The ninth hole was also awarded as one of the Northwest’s Dream 18 holes.

With five sets of tees measuring from 5,500 to 7,027 yards, Canyon Lakes will test the mettle of all types of golfers. Check their website (canyonlakesgolfcourse.com) for some super specials.

The Tri-Cities is a great place to golf with an annual precipitation of less than seven inches and summer temperatures in the 80s making golf always a good deal at Canyon Lakes.

West Richland Golf Course

The course is a daily fee 18-hole regulation links-style course that is playable and fair – and especially popular with beginners because of the relatively tame layout. There is also a restaurant with a large banquet room. Every 3rd week in October, West Richland Golf Course hosts the Tri-City Pro-Am Invitational with the first place winner getting a whopping $11,000 prize.

Alta Lake, Rock Island/Rock Island

Owner Don Barth got his golf ownership start with Alta Lake Golf Course and then he took over the operations at Rock Island, Bear Mountain and Desert Canyon. Alta Lake, located in Pateros, has 18 holes and a hotel allows golfers to stay on site. Not far away is the impressive Gamble Sands, which also has overnight lodging.

Rock Island located near Wenatchee became an 18-hole course a few years ago with the opening of a new nine, designed by Don Barth. Wile not a championship layout it provides a good test for all golfers.

Sage Hills RV Resort

New ownership at Sage Hills Golf & RV Resort has wasted no time since taking over the facility in late 2022.  Levi Vinn has set his goals on making improvements to the entire resort. Damaged spots on some greens were replaced with sod, water was put back in the water features and the pro shop and restaurant both have a new look.  The new restaurant, called The Grill at Sage Hills, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a new chef and menu. A very nice covered BBQ area was recently added.

The resort has over 40 level and grassy RV sites with full hookups and free Wi-Fi, a full-service restaurant and lounge, a fenced swimming pool, a laundry facility and a day-room for groups and tournaments.

A new Stay ’n Play special is in place: staying for one night or several nights, guests, will get unlimited golf and be able to take the power cart to their camper overnight throughout their stay. Levi has a strong desire to help junior golfers and Sage Hills is now the home course for the local high school. All juniors, 15 and younger, play for free, any time, seven days a week. 

The course plays from 6,591 to 5,128 yards and has 4 sets of tees with a rating of 70.2 and slope of 120 from the back tees.

Kahler Mountain Club

Kahler Mountain Club Resort is a year round recreation resort with cross-county skiing, snowshoeing winter, golf, tennis & pickle ball, or other activities like hiking, zip-lining, and horseback riding for summer activities.

The course is short, just measuring 5,893 yards from the tips with a par of 70 and a slope of 122, however, most holes are surrounded by tall trees, seven holes have water hazards, keeping you focused during your round of golf.

Sun Country Golf and RV Resort

Located 90 minutes east of Seattle and a few minutes off Interstate-90, Sun Country features an alpine course carved out of the trees. The yardage might be short to some, but the course plays long when the winds blow off the nearby slopes of the Cascade Mountains. The RV park features full hookups and is close to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, rafting and more.

And there is even more to like with the new 9 Iron Bar and Grill with its covered patio that is a perfect place to hangout and enjoy the summer weather.

Colockum Ridge GC

This 18-hole course is located in the heart of farming country. The flat open fairways are popular with high handicappers and the advanced players will relish the birdie opportunities. The course was originally a farm and the round irrigation wheels are still used and make it the only course with that type of watering system.

Crescent Bar

Crescent Bar Recreation Area is owned by the Grant County Public Utility District and managed by Central Washington Management Group. The campground was remodeled in 2017 and has 55 RV sites with paved pads. The course is 9 holes and the rates are great the best you will find anywhere – see their website for rates: www.crescentbarrecreation.com.

Banks Lake Golf Course

Often goes unnoticed as it is a bit off the beaten path in Electric City. This 18-hole public course opened in 1985 and is owned by the Port of Douglas County but run by volunteers. The course is 6,359 from the back tees with a slope of 119.

Royal City Golf Course

Royal City Golf Course was a community effort that was build with volunteer labor and donated resources in 1992. The 9- hole course is 6,623 yards and a par 72 when played twice. It has a driving range, and if you happen to be here at the right time, you will see crop-dusters flying below the high-tension wires on the driving range. There are several RV sites with full hook-ups at the course. Nice perk: RV golfers can keep the cart at their site overnight.

Sunserra at Crescent Bar

The Sunserra community sits along the Columbia River and features a resort community complete with pools, hot tubs, tennis courts and a terrific nine-hole golf course. The holes all have view of the nearby Columbia River plus mountains and is always in pristine condition.

Three Lakes Golf Course

A course with some great history as Bing Crosby played an exhibition game with some local state champion golfers at Wenatchee Golf and CC to raise much needed money toward the building of Three Lakes Golf Course located in nearby Malaga. The Crosby exhibition only raised $1,000, but with the raised publicity the members were able to raise the final $20,000 needed to start construction of the course. The first nine was opened in 1953 with small greens and in1972, the second nine was completed with bigger and more contoured greens. The course features plenty of challenging holes with some tight fairways and plays to 5,446 yards and a par-69.

Mount Adams Country Club

Located in Toppenish, Mount Adams Country Club traces it roots back to 1923 when it first opened for play. The course plays to 6,388 yards and has ties to the nearby Legends Casino with Stay and Play Packages. The back nine has some long holes including par-4 holes of 385 and 417 and a 528-yard par-5.

Black Rock Creek Golf Course

Located in the Yakima Valley at Sunnyside just off I-82. The course plays to 6,727 yards from the longest tee and 5,520 from the forward tees. The course has little elevation changes so walking is easy. Fairways are defined by mature trees with a mixture of open and narrow holes.

Oroville Golf Club

The Oroville Golf Club is a scenic nine-hole dual tee layout. The front side measures 2,926 yards and the back is 2,991 yards totaling 5,917 yards with a par of 72 and a slope rating of 129. The course offers plenty of interesting holes.