Editor’s note: This is the ninth story in a series reviewing each of Central Oregon’s public golf courses.

CROOKED RIVER RANCH — The setting at Crooked River Ranch might leave golfers confused as to whether they are playing golf or taking a nature hike.

With a setting unlike any other in Central Oregon, Crooked River Ranch is both beautiful and appealing for golfers.

It’s the kind of golf course that appeals to most: short enough that a beginning golfer can make his or her way around the course, while at the same time interesting enough to keep better players from getting bored.

And the golf course brings the stunning Crooked River Gorge into play on several of its holes.

“I’ve never heard anyone say, ‘Oh, what a terrible experience,’” says Pat Huffer, head golf professional at Crooked River Ranch. “Everybody just raves about it as far as the uniqueness, the scenery, the visual of the canyon from two or three of the tees, the wildlife like the golden eagles. It’s very unique.”

Crooked River Ranch’s relatively affordable $41 weekday greens fees, along with the course’s aesthetic appeal and playability, make the golf course one of the busiest in Central Oregon.

The well-conditioned course hosted nearly 46,000 rounds of golf last year, Huffer says.

At 5,661 yards, Crooked River Ranch is one of the shortest regulation golf courses in Central Oregon. And trouble is rare off the tee, with few on-course water hazards.

It’s straight-forward golf, for the most part. One exception is the deceptive 353-yard, par-4 10th hole, a dogleg right on which the green is invisible from the tee box.

That means good scores are achievable for even average golfers, which can be a confidence builder for golfers struggling on the tight, tree-lined fairways common in Central Oregon.

However, scratch golfers or better can terrorize the course. Last summer at Crooked River Ranch’s Top Gun Open, for example, Portland-area professional Brian Nosler shot a 58.

“It’s user friendly for everyone,” Huffer says. “It’s easy to get off the tee, yet it is a challenge around the greens and some of the approach areas. It’s a good golf course for everyone.

“Probably the only group (that wouldn’t like it as much) are those that would look for a little more length. But yet even the better players that play it love it because they have the opportunity to shoot a really good score.”

Crooked River Ranch’s main defenses are its sloping and undulating greens, which generally play fast during the summer months.

Take No. 7, a 149-yard par 3 with an elevated green. The hole itself appears to be easy, with a hill to the rear of the green that helps more aggressive golfers by keeping a long tee shot in play.

But the two-tiered green, which slopes toward the front of the putting surface, is as tricky as it comes. Bad position can quickly turn a par or bogey into a much larger number.

The hole can bring back to earth a golfer who is blistering the relatively easy first third of the golf course.

But the hole that will leave golfers talking after the round is the 260-yard, par-4 fifth.

The dogleg left offers a golfer two choices. It can easily be managed with two short irons, or more adventurous golfers will take the shortcut and play the hole as a 225-yard par 3.

But the shortcut isn’t without problems, because to hit the green a player must carry a small piece of the Crooked River Gorge.

It’s an intimidating shot, as a golfer catches a glimpse of the rushing Crooked River hundreds of feet below.

“People remember the golf course for that hole,” Huffer says of No. 5. “If there was ever a signature hole for a golf course, that’s ours.”

The back nine at Crooked River Ranch plays longer than the front side, and it generally is the more difficult side.

The course finishes well, ending with the two longest par 4s on the track. No. 17, a 405-yard par 4, is a dogleg left and a green situated well below the tee box. The tee shot is menacing, as the fairway disappears because of the slope and water awaits a tee shot that drifts left.

“I think they are as two good a finishing holes as you are going to find anywhere,” Huffer says.

But, he jokes: “It’s kind of unfortunate, perhaps, for the occasional players. They have it easy going along most the time. Then all of a sudden they leave the golf course with a high number on those last couple holes.”

Crooked River Ranch: At a glance

Architects: Original nine, William McPherson (1978); second nine Jim Ramey (1994). Slope: 107. Rating: 66.5. Par: 71. Yardage: 5,661*.

May through October: $41 during weekdays; $46 for weekends/holidays.

Phone: 923-6343; Web site: www.crookedriverranch.com

Hole Par Yardage

No. 1 Par 5 461 yards

No. 2 Par 4 355 yards

No. 3 Par 4 279 yards

No. 4 Par 3 144 yards

No. 5 Par 4 260 yards

No. 6 Par 5 444 yards

No. 7 Par 3 149 yards

No. 8 Par 4 318 yards

No. 9 Par 4 317 yards

Out Par 36 2,727 yards

Hole Par Yardage

No. 10 Par 4 353 yards

No. 11 Par 3 146 yards

No. 12 Par 4 338 yards

No. 13 Par 4 354 yards

No. 14 Par 5 494 yards

No. 15 Par 4 318 yards

No. 16 Par 3 125 yards

No. 17 Par 4 405 yards

No. 18 Par 4 401 yards

In Par 36 2,934 yards

*All distances from back tees