Joe Kline / The Bulletin The par 3 10th hole at Quail Run Golf Course

LA PINE —

Even by the third hole, I still could not yet put my finger on why Quail Run Golf Course just felt different.

Then my playing partner pulled his tee shot dramatically left, which I figured would have meant doom on the 382-yard par 4, a layout that turns nearly 90 degrees right some 200 yards down the fairway.

But to my surprise, he was in the fairway with room to spare and left with a difficult but possible long-iron approach into the green.

I did not know it at the time, but the forgiveness of the wayward tee shot is likely a product of Quail Run’s program to remove some ponderosa pines that over the years had encroached on the La Pine course’s line of play.

For golfers like me who play the course only once or twice a season, the difference is subtle. After all, the deep woods in which Quail Run is nestled still very much define the course.

But judging by my relatively low count of lost golf balls on this oppressively hot day, the tree-removal program seems to be working by adding forgiveness to Quail Run, which already ranked among the best bargains in Central Oregon.

“There is no question there is a lot of areas where your ball doesn’t get lost as easy,” says Todd Sickles, a PGA professional at Quail Run and the club’s general manager. “It is amazing how much work we do on that (tree-removal), and the course just needs it done.”

The program, now in its fifth year, has also helped improve the health of the turf by allowing more sunlight to reach what had been shaded areas, Sickles says. And, because golf balls are now easier to find, the pace of play at Quail Run has quickened slightly.

But most important for golfers, the program has not changed the character of the course. And that is no accident.

“You don’t want to lose the integrity of the golf course,” Sickles says. “You just want to make the playability and healthiness better.”

Even without the tree-removal program, Quail Run is among the best purely public courses in the region, even if far too many golfers in Bend and beyond have never ventured that far south to play.

Designed by Jim Ramey, the now-retired director of agronomy at Sunriver Resort, Quail Run is remarkably consistent throughout. Keeping it that way is no small chore, considering the nines were built 15 years apart.

Its simplicity and natural beauty are what make Quail Run a joy to play.

The course has no hidden hazards, and each hole is well-defined by a canvas of ponderosa pines. Even more helpful, the fairway bunkers mark the optimal target off the tee on all holes but the par 3s, the par-5 12th hole and the wonderful par-4 18th.

The most glaring example of golf by fairway bunker is on that third hole, where the most desirable tee shot is directly over the two fairway bunkers that guard the right corner of the dogleg right.

I hit my target with a 2-hybrid — one of only a few times I would hit my mark on the front nine — leaving me a wedge into the green.

Of course, Quail Run still presents its challenges. A tee shot that drifts too far off the mark will be swallowed by what is still dense forest.

But that is not such a bad thing. Poor shots should be punished.

The trees at Quail Run bring a risky element to its four par 5s, all of which can be reached in two shots by longer hitters. This is particularly the case on the 12th and 17th holes, where the fairways turn and tighten on approach to put a premium on accuracy.

I staggered into the 12th after a rough front nine, hoping to spark my round. I smacked a fade that curved perfectly with the fairway, then drilled a 2-hybrid to the edge of the green, a mere 20 feet from eagle. I skirted the hole, though, leaving me a tap-in for birdie.

Four good shots and Quail Run rewarded me. Suddenly I was back on track, much to the dismay of my playing partner, who would spend the rest of his round watching his sizable lead disappear.

No wonder I like Quail Run so much.

Difficulty of course

A significant tree-removal program has helped open up the heavily wooded golf course. Still, accuracy is at a premium at Quail Run, as ponderosa pines define the entire layout. The golf course is also significantly bunkered, and those bunkers are often deep with sharp edges.

Those who struggle with control could be in for a long day, but otherwise the course should be manageable for golfers of all skill levels.

Quail Run is not particularly long: Its tees range from 6,897 yards to as short as 5,391 yards. Water comes into play on five holes, but only the par-3 10th presents a truly challenging carry over a hazard (though even that hole has a bail-out area).

Favorite hole

Quail Run’s consistency should be admired — it has neither a true signature hole nor a real forgettable hole. That can make choosing a favorite a chore.

But if I had to pick, it would be the par-4 18th hole, a 402-yarder that doglegs left around a lake.

Ideally, a tee shot should be played along the left side of the fairway, nearest to the water. But that strategy brings the hazard fully into play. On the other hand, tee shots that drift right make the hole play far longer, leaving a long iron into a well-bunkered and sloped green. And drives that sail too far right will find the trees that border the fairway.

Such a treacherous finishing hole can easily flip a match.

How to approach the course

Quail Run has always offered generous fairways, but tree removal has made it a much more forgiving course for those who drift into the rough. That means golfers can play more aggressively. But be careful to pick the right spots, as the thick forest that surrounds the course is still capable of swallowing golf balls.

The greens on all four par 5s are reachable for longer hitters, but each approach shot is met with either punitive bunkering or trees that squeeze the line to the green.

Golfers should be careful on their approach shots throughout the course, as deep bunkers and sloping greens can mean trouble for sloppy iron shots.

Off the course

Quail Run’s simple clubhouse houses an inexpensive snack bar and a roomy seating area and a well-stocked pro shop. A covered picnic area is located just outside.

The course’s full-size driving range offers abundant room to practice, and a short-game practice area gives golfers a chance to work on their chipping skills.

The practice putting green rests just off the first tee, providing golfers a chance to work on their putting while waiting to tee off.

Verdict

Deep in the woods just north of La Pine, Quail Run is not the easiest course to find. But those who do discover a well-designed course that is typically well-maintained and capable of challenging golfers of all skill levels.

In fact, Quail Run could easily be considered a peer with better-known counterparts in Central Oregon, such as Bend courses Lost Tracks Golf Club and Widgi Creek Golf Club.

The value for locals makes the course particularly enticing. With a $49 locals rate for Deschutes County residents that is good all day every day during the peak golf season — and includes the use of a cart and range balls — Quail Run is among the best bargains in the region.

— Reporter: 541-617-7868, zhall@bendbulletin.com.