Each hole at Wine Valley Golf Club affords multiple lines of play , ensuring a pleasant round for every golfer and a true challenge for those who seek it . Below , Director of Golf , Chris Issacson , brings 35 years of professional golf experience to the Wine Valley Golf Club .
It ’ s hard to experience all that this sleepy little Eastern Washington burgh has to offer , but my good friend Sara and I figured we ’ d give it a try .
A quick hop over of about an hour is all it takes from the Seattle-area before touching down at Walla Walla Regional Airport . Taxi ’ s , rideshares and private car service are all available once you arrive . We were scooped up by our driver , Jeevs ( go figure , right ?) and immediately taken to Wine Valley Golf Club , about a 15-minute ride from town .
As you turn north off Highway 12 on Frenchtown Road and head toward the course , the rolling hills of the recognizable Palouse are only interrupted by pockets of lush vineyards poised to deliver the fruit of its sublime and aged nectar . A left at the Corten Steel sign and you ’ ve arrived at Wine Valley Golf Club .
The rustic Valley View Pavilion , where various large group events are held yearly — from weddings to conventions to class reunions — greets you to the left as you make your way up the driveway to the clubhouse . An expansive driving range and practice area is ready for your warm up on the right . As we reached the clubhouse / pro shop , we were greeted by an effervescent Emily who — when not collecting your greens fees and charging your card for some outstanding , logoed , pro shop “ swag ” — plays college golf at Washington State University . She set us up with a cart and off we went to the first tee box .
As much as I ’ d love to tell you about my round , in shot-by-shot detail , I ’ ll look upon you with mercy . I will say however , that the Wine Valley experience was definitely all it was cracked up to be and then some . We played it from the tips , which was long , but the fairways were spacious and forgiving . The views were delicious , particularly the tee box on Hole # 5 . It looks southwest from probably the highest point on the course , with the Blue Mountains in the near distance to the left , you look down onto the long par-4 with a wash running down the left-hand side that cuts in front of the largest green Wine Valley has to offer ( 11,360 sq . ft .).
After the round , we were able to spend some time with Director of Golf , Chris Isaacson , who filled us in on some of the history of the course , the design of Dan Hickson ( who also designed Bandon Crossing ) and the accolades that they ’ ve received since being open just twelve short years ago . But what drew me in when speaking with Chris , was his enthusiasm for not just his course , but his town of Walla Walla .
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