Inside Golf takes a look at golf on the Olympic Peninsula. Here is a brief view of what you might find on your visit there.
Port Ludlow: Three distinct nines
Port Ludlow was named by Golf Magazine as one of the top five public courses in Washington. Three distinct nine-hole layouts await golfers of every level – Tide Nine, Timber Nine and Trail Nine. Each features lush fairways, scenic views and greens that roll true each season of the year.
A short ferry ride and 28 mile drive from Seattle, Port Ludlow offers the perfect get-away not only for golf, but for anyone looking for a get-away from the city and a close-up wilderness experience.
With a quaint inn, top-notch restaurant and spa featuring numerous treatments, the resort offers a taste of the Northwest pallet - water, mountains and trees. With an annual rainfall of around 25 inches, Port Ludlow is a good bet when the forecast is questionable.
Be sure to check out the packages catering to golfers, spa patrons and outdoor enthusiasts. Head to Port Ludlow to enjoy world-class golf but be sure to take advantage of all the resort has to offer.
|
The Cedars at Dungeness: Forget about the rain
The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course is located in the driest part of Western Washington with an average of 13-15 inches of rain per year, all because of something called the Olympic Mt. Rain Shadow, often called the blue hole by commercial pilots.
An 18-hole layout measuring over 6,400 yards, Dungeness is protected by sprawling bunkers, and narrow approaches to elevated greens.
The signature hole, the par-5 3rd hole, is fitted with bunkers that form the shape of a Dungeness crab. This all sets on a huge mound in front of the green and usually requires golfers to shoot over it to reach the flag.
The fairways are a mixture of tight drives and wide open spaces, but don’t be fooled, position off the tee can make the difference between having a shot at the green or laying up with a wedge or 9-iron and playing for a bogey.
Raining in Seattle, pouring in Everett, sprinkling in Auburn – head to Dungeness. | 
The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course |
|
Alderbrook: Above Hood Canal
Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club offers woodsy scenery, with some tall tree-lined fairways. The course is always well maintained is one of the finer tests around. Be advised, hit some balls and warm up before you head to the first tee, as it will put you under the gun right out of the gate. If you can survive the first three holes then you are in for a good round golf. A nearby resort inn with spa and great cuisine sits on the edge of Hood Canal.
The hole most talked about is the 8th, a double dogleg par 5 that stretches to 536 yards. Playing to 6,326 yards from the back tees, Alderbrook’s finishing hole is perhaps one of the most scenic in the state. On clear days you will have a fabulous view of the Olympic Mountains, sitting behind the 18th green.
The course, which is managed by the homeowner association, is in the process of building a new clubhouse that is scheduled to open next year. The course and the Resort hotel are not part of the same ownership. | 
Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club |
Discovery Bay: Still going
Boasting the reputation as the oldest course in Washington, Discovery Bay sits on a secluded 200-acre point overlooking Discovery Bay, just outside Port Townsend.
Formally known as Chevy Chase, the distinctively different nines play sneaky hard. The course was thought to be closing last spring, but owner Mike Asmundson decided to keep it open, pleasing the local golfers and visiting golfers as well.
Drainage is being improved and some new holes have been added so the course is not the same as it was last year. Visitors to the scenic town of Port Townsend might want to stop in for a round of golf here. They will be pleasantly surprised at the character of this golf course. It is constantly being worked on and improved as the owner is a golf architect and you would expect no less.
|
LakeLand Village: 27 holes to try
LakeLand Village, located in Allyn, offers 27 holes of golf with three distinctly different nines. Each nine representing one of the three generations that have been part of building LakeLand into the community it is today. The oldest nine, and shortest, is called Generation I, the newest nines are Generation II and Generation III.
Housing and lifestyle are a big part of the attraction to live here. Golf is the attraction for visitors. If you are looking for a fun place to play and a good test of your game then you must come to LakeLand, you won’t be disappointed.
With numerous ponds, gaping bunkers and majestic views of the Olympics and Mount Rainier, ardent golfers will appreciate the scenic driving range, practice chipping and bunker areas, and the well-groomed putting greens. | 
LakeLand Village at Allyn |
SunLand, a place to retire to
Located in a retirement community in Sequim. SunLand is a private course surrounded by homes and presents some tight fairways and above average greens, SunLand’s playability was recently enhanced by a state of the art irrigation system.
Because the course and community are located in Sequim, the weather is not your typical Seattle/Tacoma weather so if there’s rain in the forecast where you are, you might want to plan a trip to SunLand or any of the other Sequim courses.
SunLand has also recently changed its membership programs adding memberships with a variety of fee structures.
SkyRidge: Where carts rule
SkyRidge Golf Course and Learning Center, located in Sequim, promotes golf carts 365 days a year. In addition to providing a healthy riding and walking environment, SkyRidge has four sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all levels.
Measuring 3,405 yards from the back tees, the most unique feature of SkyRidge perhaps is the extra hole. This nine-hole links-style course features an extra finishing hole for 18-hole rounds. Measuring 445 yards, this bear will test you whether you played 9 holes or 18.
Bayshore: A saltwater treat
Bayshore sits on the shores of Oakland Bay and is the only public golf course in the Puget Sound area where a misplayed ball can land in saltwater. The fairways are lined with tall trees and the greens are small, making this a formidable challenge. This nine-hole facility has dual tees to make an 18-hole round all the more enjoyable.
Located on Highway 3, Bayshore is a must-play while in Shelton.
Lake Cushman: A mountain retreat
Lake Cushman, near Hoodsport, sits in a valley on the edge of the Olympic National Park. This nine-hole spot is popular among campers and vacationers.
As you might expect, the fairways are tree-lined and the mountains hang right over the course.
The signature hole is the 388-yard dogleg right par-4 7th hole. It starts with a blind uphill tee shot and the second shot is downhill to a smallish green guarded by a small pond.
Oaksridge: A local favorite
Oaksridge Golf Course sits just off Highway 12 in Elma and is visible from the freeway. The 18-hole track measures 5,643 yards and is a local favorite.
The course is relatively level so it makes a perfect walking course. Just be advised, the prevailing winds can lengthen it considerably. Owner Rich Walker has put in endless hours to keep the course in good shape –and his work has paid off.
Highland: A challenging, hilly option
Highland Golf Course originally opened as a nine-hole venue in 1930. Then, you only had to walk up half as many up and down holes. Now an 18-hole facility, double your ups and downs on this challenging, hilly offering.
There are not many flat lies, which makes it even more challenging and the greens are tough, too.
This is a must play course if you are in the Aberdeen area. The course will surprise you with its character and the variety of shots you will use around this track.
Ocean Shores: Beach fun
Ocean Shores Golf Course has a course worth the trip to the beach and is one of the few courses that sit near the Pacific Ocean.
The course is a popular venue for company and convention tournaments but vacationers and local play keep the course busy during the summer months.
A new driving range has made the experience even better. There are several options for stay-and-play packages at the various hotels in and around town, so shop around before you come.
Operator Curt Zander has made several quality changes to the course, including the new driving range. A new irrigation system on the front side has helped the course green up.
As with any of the coastal courses, the weather is almost never predictable so be prepared for all options.
|
Lake Limerick: Fun through the trees
Lake Limerick, just outside of Shelton, is a challenging course that is improving every year. The fairways are made tight by tall stands of fir trees and the greens are in great condition. There are two sets of tees giving the course a new look and yardage for each nine.
Recent tree thinning has opened up some of the fairways allowing wider landing area for tee shots. The course has also been actively addressing drainage making it a better winter course.
The course plays to 5,908 yards but is not a course you can overpower, as there is a premium on ball placement off the tee.
The 207-yard par-3 4th hole is one you will remember. Remember, it plays longer. | 
Lake Limerick Golf Club |
Tumwater Valley: Par-3 double greens
Tumwater Valley is known for many things, like its great condition, proximity to Interstate-5, reputation for hosting big tournaments – and a couple of par-3 holes that have two greens.
The course offers a good variety with its par-3 holes. One day, giving them a shorter look, another a longer look with trouble off the tee.
This is a popular course and is often used for tournament play.
Airport Golf: Olympia facility has it all
Airport Golf is the kind of place that golfers like. There are plenty of places to practice and if you get bored, there’s a nifty little nine-hole course waiting next to the Olympia Airport.
Airport Golf also features batting cages, in case you bring your baseball or softball bat to the golf course.
There is plenty of room for practice, including its covered driving range, putting greens, chipping greens and sand area.
