Sunriver Resort’s Meadows and Woodlands golf courses had been public courses ever since they first opened — Meadows in 1968 and Woodlands in 1981.

They were two of the earliest courses to offer public golf to locals long before the boom of course construction in the 1990s that transformed Central Oregon into a golfing destination.

In fact, until this year, Meadows had the distinction as the second-oldest public golf course in Central Oregon.

But with the launch this spring of Sunriver Golf Club, Woodlands and Meadows have transitioned to private status, now exclusively serving Sunriver Resort guests and Sunriver Golf Club members.

Changes happening throughout the resort

Sunriver Resort has been undergoing a major “brand refresh” during the last two years, and golf has certainly been a part of that.

“We felt like by going private, we can really elevate the

experience altogether, and the brand of golf at Sunriver Resort,”

said Lindsay Borkowksi, director

of sales and marketing for the

resort.

“So that really was kind of the impetus behind it, as we continue to evaluate all aspects of our business with brand. With any change comes lots of different opinions and some folks that were not happy about it. But we’re seeing our membership numbers really strong, and that tells me that people are happy about the change and that this is something they see value in and that they want.”

Going private will help provide members more availability of tee times, better quality of course conditions, faster pace of play and improved service, according to Borkowski.

“Just so many things that you

expect when a course is private,” she said. “But we’re trying to make sure that we still give access to everyone.”

Access for locals still available

So what about the locals? Well, they can still play Meadows and Woodlands, but for a much steeper price than before.

Last year, Deschutes County residents could book a peak round at one of the courses for $125.

This year, a peak round will cost them $225, according to Borkowski.

“If they were paying public rates

before, these rates are higher,” she said. “I’m not going to try and say

that they’re not higher. We used to offer a significant discount for Deschutes County residents. And

these rates are higher. But again, we always offer a lower rate for resort guests.”

Borkowksi said there had been some misconception that the public could not play Meadows or Woodlands anymore.

“We’re really trying to get that message out that (the public) can play,” she said. “Yes, while we are private, we wanted to still be able to honor our community members and those Central Oregon locals that do love playing Meadows and Woodlands. That’s why we introduced the day membership. We want you to still come and enjoy these courses.”

The $225 includes a $175 resort guest greens fee plus $50 for a one-day golf club membership.

For those looking to play more frequently, a player’s membership includes a one-time initiation fee of $5,000.

The first round of golf is free

and then the golfer pays resort

guests’ fees ($175 peak) for each round.

The full golf membership is a one-time fee of $10,000, and then monthly dues of $375, according to

Borkowski.

Woodlands bunkers recently revamped

Meadows was designed by the renowned architect John Fought and is known for its breathtaking scenic views and strategic diversity. The championship-caliber course has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments.

Woodlands was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., and features 18 holes surrounded by dense forests of ponderosa and lodgepole pine, and accented with outcroppings of lava rock and water hazards.

All of the bunkers at Woodlands were recently renovated.

Also at Sunriver, Crosswater remains exclusively a membership golf club separate from Meadows and Woodlands.

Caldera Links is a nine-hole par-3 course for owners and guests of Caldera Springs.

Borkowski said the move to private allows for a commitment to golf course maintenance and quality on Meadows and Woodlands.

“Between our three courses that are all private, we will have the ability one day a week to shut down play on a course and commit time to maintenance and quality assurance,” she said. “That’s something we could never do before because of the volume of play that was happening on our courses. And we have the benefit of having multiple courses. The beauty of this membership is they’ve got choices.”

Sunriver Golf Club

Sunriver Golf Club

For information about the new Sunriver Golf Club membership, visit sunriverresort.com or email Leiana Smith at leiana.smith@sunriver-resort.com.