The Bulletin continues a weekly Tee To Green feature in which we check in via email with golf professionals at Central Oregon courses for an offseason update. This week we contacted Pat Huffer, head professional at Crooked River Ranch.

Huffer, 58, has been the head pro at Crooked River Ranch since 2006 and is a former president of the PGA of America’s Pacific Northwest Section. This is what he had to say about the current business of golf and about Crooked River Ranch:

Q: How was business in 2011?

A: We are still plugging away with the nice weather, which is helping us to catch up to and pass last year by a small margin. The poor spring and early summer weather hurt, and we got off to a slow start as a result. We did rally fairly well and our rounds are up slightly and revenues are close to even. I’m certain the difference is due to more discount shopping.

Q: Were any changes of note made to the facility during the past year?

A: The golf course is playing the same, but we have made some nice cosmetic improvements along a couple of fairways and cleared a lot of sagebrush and scrub juniper from a few areas, which helps speed up play. We also added a new aerating windmill near the pond on the eighth hole that is a nice functional feature and a great conversation piece that has made a significant improvement in the clarity of the water.

Q: Are any changes and/or improvements to the facility scheduled for 2012?

A: The third tee is scheduled to be rebuilt and leveled in early spring, and we will continue to make small cosmetic improvements here and there as funds and time allow.

Q: Has the Central Oregon golf industry started to bounce back from the economic struggles that have gripped the region since 2007?

A: I believe there are some signs of improvement, but I wouldn’t call it a “bounce back.” We still have some serious economic recovering to do to reach the levels of pre-2007. The encouraging sign for us is that our merchandise sales were up nearly 20 percent this year over last. That may be due to a cyclical buying pattern or that golfers, saving on greens fees some, had a few dollars left over to buy an extra trinket or two.

Q: What more can be done to bring new golfers to the course?

A: I think we all need to do what we can to sell Central Oregon as a great golf destination. I know that COVA (Central Oregon Visitors Association) and the Central Oregon Golf Trail are both trying desperately to do just that, and individual golf facilities need to send and sell the same message. Also, it is an absolute MUST to bring new golfers into the game, kids and adults both. The more golfers there are, the more will play our courses.

Crooked River Ranch, at a glance

Number of holes: 18

Status: Open year-round, weather permitting

Location: 5195 Club House Road, Crooked River Ranch

Tee times: 541-923-6343

Course stats: Par 71, 5,818 yards

Head golf professional: Pat Huffer

Course designers: Original nine: William McPherson (1978); second nine: Jim Ramey (1994)

Extras: Driving range, pro shop, chipping and bunker practice area, two practice putting greens

Website: www.crookedriverranch.com