Story by Christian Trejbal

The Bulletin

Every spring, as the sun shines longer and the days grow warmer and the grass gets greener, skiing steps down from its throne. Golf once again becomes king of Bend’s outdoor activities. With nearly two dozen courses and weather to die for, it is little wonder Central Oregon is a premier golf destination.

Yet for all the courses geared toward bringing in tourist dollars, the region has some even more exciting, little-known golf quirks that are not to be missed. They are just the sort of sites the average Californian will pass over on a weekend jaunt north, but locals can enjoy and call their own.

The obvious place to start is the High Desert Golf and Learning Center on Bend’s north side. With heated, covered stalls on the lower level, the range is perfect for whipping your game into shape in just about any weather.

While you’re there, don’t skip the 18 hole putting course. There are no windmills, but water and sand hazards make for a genuine challenge. And speaking of sand, the center has a practice bunker, a rarity at most public golf facilities these days.

Once you are ready to hit the links, the best local secret in Bend is Lost Tracks Golf Club, located off China Hat Road. With more dog-legs than the Humane Society, Lost Tracks is truly a thinking-golfer’s course fair with plenty of risk-reward balance. Try to cut the corner and your ball could easily end up in the lava rocks that line most holes. A well struck shot, on the other hand, will set you up for birdie. When you reach the par-3 16th, the course’s signature hole, take a moment to enjoy the old train car that serves as a bridge to the island green.

For a less fair and as a result more challenging, if frustrating 18 holes, give River’s Edge a try. Built onto the east side of Awbrey Butte, you will have a hard time finding a level lie anywhere on the course no matter how well you thought you placed your shot. This is particularly evident on the first tee when you stare down the narrow, rapidly descending fairway and again on the par-3 16th where the green lies more than 100 feet below the tee. Take at least two clubs less.

Heading out of Bend, do not miss Aspen Lakes near Sisters. This newer course offers some of the most scenic views of the Cascades to be found from any Central Oregon fairway. The unusual red sand in the bunkers adds an additional flair of color on summer afternoons.

More frugal golfers can also find some unusual links settings. Crooked River Ranch is perhaps the best bargain in the area. The course, which runs along the rim of the Crooked River Gorge, is not as well-manicured as the more upscale courses, but it offers an entertaining challenge. Hope to get paired with local players on the first tee for some extra fun and help. They play simply because they love the game and can offer invaluable advice on some of the trickier holes.

Another inexpensive course to check out downhill from Bend is Meadow Lakes in Prineville, the first municipal course east of the Cascades. Before you tee off on the first, take your driver out of your bag. Trees are few and far between, but accuracy is key as you try to negotiate between water hazards on every hole. You won’t find any greener grass in Central Oregon than at Meadow Lakes. The course uses effluent to water the fairways. Just ignore the smell on a hot day and don’t lick your ball on the green!

Central Oregon is a great place to visit for golf, but it’s an even better place to live for golf when you know the best places to play.