MENTION THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND MANY THINGS COME TO MIND : coffee , microbreweries , technology hubs and extraordinary golf in a natural setting unlike any other place in America .
It ’ s that far northwestern corner of North America primarily consisting of Washington , Oregon , Idaho and Canada ’ s British Columbia . Certainly , most avid golfers would jump at the chance to test their skills on such demanding and scenic tracts as Bandon Dunes and Chambers Bay .
Those courses qualify as bucket-list golf destinations , but make no mistake , there are plenty of other hidden gems in the Pacific Northwest that will also truly test your mettle , provide unforgettable vistas and leave you with a few more dollars in your pocket to sample the many coffee shops and brew pubs scattered across the region .
The Pacific Northwest is home to a plethora of canyons , deserts , dormant ( and sometimes active ) volcanos , expansive wheatfields , waterfalls , snow-capped peaks , winding hiking trails , sparkling trout streams and stunning coastal shorelines .
And while Seattle is home to the original Starbucks and some of the nation ’ s best coffee , including Cherry Street Coffee House and Victrola Coffee Roasters , Oregon ’ s Willamette Valley is renowned for its pinot noir and more than 500 wineries . If you prefer craft beer , microbreweries blanket both Oregon and Washington with numerous options , including Bale Breaker Brewing ( Seattle and Yakima ) and Oregon ’ s Little Beast Brewing ( Portland and Clackamas ).
Top restaurants dot the land , ranging from seafood and locally sourced culinary creations to excellent Asian food . You can even watch fishmongers toss around hefty fish at the famed Pike Place Market — the nation ’ s oldest continuously operated farmer ’ s and fish market .
Yes , golf in this picturesque region is well worth the cross-country trip to get there , and the sipping that goes along with it promises a vintage vacation .
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COURSES
OREGON
Juniper Preserve ( Bend ) – This high-desert , central Oregon wellness destination features two par-72 championship courses at its Pronghorn Golf Club , named for the native antelopes found on the property . The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course ( 7,379 yards ) opened as a private course in 2004 and now allows public play . Its challenging 15th hole is an uphill 543-yard par-5 that offers a view of Three Sisters mountains from the green . The 7,456-yard Tom Fazio Championship Course is routed on rocky , high-desert terrain dotted by juniper trees . Both courses provide multiple teeing options .
Sunriver Resort in Oregon offers three 18-hole courses and a nine-hole family fun course . vsga . org J ULY / A UGUST 2024 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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