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.