Tokatee and Trysting Tree

Mark Guistina was kind enough to donate 18 holes from both of these fine coureses.

As a kid I watched Trysting Tree being built and love the course. This video tells the story of how it came about and all the good things it does for golf in Oregon and other places. This is a really lovely place to play with a par 5 hole on 10 that will make you glad the clubhouse is near. All the tees and greens are elevated to be above the flood plain and
 that makes for some exciting shots.

Tokatee Golf Club  is located up the McKenzie River is consistently rated as one of the top courses in Oregon. Tokatee Golf Club was built and managed by N.B. (Nat) Giustina until 1996 when Larry Giustina, his son, assumed the management responsibilities. The course is owned by the N.B. Giustina family and they are happy to be part of the Upper McKenzie/Rainbow community.
If you ever want to play where deer are you gallery, this is the place. Open, beautiful, and peacful all descibe but do not do justice. In the spring when the snow is still low in the mountains and the cool breezes roll down the over the course, you feel like you have found the perfect place to strike a ball.

Another Oregon Wine Scores

Volcano Vineyards  '06 Lakeside-Serenade Syrah got an 88 from The Wine Spectator.

Diamond Woods

I had lunch with Liz Doyle on Thursday and we spoke about the exciting upgrading of the course at Diamond Woods! Can't wait to play once the season starts.

Here is a view on a very rainy day of the 9th  fairway coming up to the Clubhouse.

The left hand picture is of the new Lodge. Great place to hold your party, stay a few days with friends and play, or have a bit of romance and a fantastic view of the valley!

Myrtle Creek Golf Course

On my way to southern Oregon Monday, I stopped at Myrtle Creek for lunch and a quick visit to the golf course. I have heard nothing but good things over the last couple of years and decided to take the chance of asking them for 18 holes. I was impressed by the beauty of the course. I can't wait to play it!

Janet Major  was very helpful and printed out a certificate for 18 holes. Nice add!
Take a look at the course map and you will want to make the drive.

Chehalem Glenn Golf Course

On my way to gather wines for our 2010 auction I stopped in at Chehalem Glenn for a look see. Wow! Very impressive course. If I had had more time, and had remembered to bring my clubs....
They have 5 tees ranging from Black to Red and what looks to be a very challenging course. I can't wait to try out my meager skills.
They are giving us 18 for the 18@18 auction item.
Stop by and thanks them with a round.

Springfeild Country Club

Long respected as a great club and course, the Springfield Country Club is one of the best kept secrets around. Manicured, difficult, and sublime, it stands out as a gem in the Mohawk Valley.
Jeff Gaskill, the course Pro, issued us a certificate to 18 holes. I wished that I had brought my clubs! It was such a balmy day and the drainage on the course is fast, so very little chance of fried eggs.
I plan on joining this year and playing there every chance I get. 18 is only $40! Take a look at the web site and "walk" the courses before you come out, you will be glad you did!

Nine at Nine Update

The view from the landing overlooking what used to be regarded as THE worst golf course in Lane County has indeed changed. Now, off to the right and down the hill we see the covered driving range, yards in front of the grass tee area, and facing out over a well thought out and well kept target area with clearly marked yardages and flags. To the front is the 1st hole, a dogleg left, that everyone tries to fly over the small hill ,and almost always falls short.
Laurelwood, a name that used to be Laurelweed among the Eugene golfers brave enough to play it, was legend. I heard things like "bring your pack mule".
The course opened in 1929 as an 18 hole Country Club and was the first golf course built in Eugene.
Now it is absolutely gorgeous!  Any time you see the general manager riding around on a mower making sure the cuts are correct, you know you are in good hands.
The day was balmy and the lot was full. There were people waiting in line to tee off and I almost said to hell with the rest of the day and rented some clubs ($10). Fees are a mere $15 for nine and worth that just to tee off at one.
This was the first place I ever hit a ball, only 14 years ago. I was so put off by it that I did not hit another ball until 2006.
Debbie King has had a lot to do with what has happened here and was nice enough to give us a certificate for 9 holes. A friend took me out early this year for 9 and I was so impressed that I can't wait to play here again!

A Trip to the Umpqua Valley Pays Off

On the way down to the Umpqua Valley and to Elkton this morning in search of wine for the OMP auction, I stopped by Middlefield Golf Course and wished I had time for at least 9.  They have a very nice 5000 Yard  (from the blues) course and a friendly staff. The sun was out and the leaves were bright with fall colors. I had played there a few weeks ago and ask if they would be willing to be a part of the "18 @ 18" and they agreed. I picked up a gift card from Steve Zeek and was on my way south, still wishing for a good shot down the fairway. I will be back.

Once I was through with the wine gathering in Elkton and was headed for the wineries in the north Umpqua area I had time to stop by the Umpqua Golf Resort and Andy Smith gave me a certificate for play for 18 holes. The place looks like a great playing course and I plan on going back when the rains stop for a while.
This is the first tee and if it had not been so wet I would have come back for wine another day.

A Nice Day at Diamond Woods

For those who have yet to visit Diamond Woods' new lodge: Do yourself a favor and book a room, get 50% off your golf, and get a veiw that is spectacular, plus the food is great!
There are four winery tasting rooms within a few minutes: Pfeiffer Vineyards, High Pass Winery, Benton Lane Winery (nearly next door) RainSong Winery, and, just a little farther north, Tyee Wine Cellars . The town of Monroe holds some small adventures such as the Cornerstone Cafe' and they also have a convenience store. Broadley Vineyards has a tasting room there but they are only open on special occasions so check first. One of their 2006 Pinot Noirs , the Shea sourced, brought $300 at our April auction so they are well worth the visit.
The golf course is one of my favorite in the area. The front nine is an easy walk and a challenge, while the back nine will give you all the exercise you need and will make the spa tub at the lodge look very welcoming. Rent a cart!

Gathering 18 holes from 18 courses

As a new golfer (2.5 years) I love to explore different courses and love to travel all over Oregon doing it. I thought "Why not make a couple of auction items related to golf?" so away we go.
So far I have a few local courses and have ask some of better known ones around the state.
I will post them as I get them and try to write a little about each.