Couldn't ask for a nicer Christmas gift than this. I was able to reach out to the Head Pro a few days ago. Pitched my blog, my quests, my holiday travel schedule, etc. and he was nice enough to invite... Continue »

Couldn't ask for a nicer Christmas gift than this. I was able to reach out to the Head Pro a few days ago. Pitched my blog, my quests, my holiday travel schedule, etc. and he was nice enough to invite me out at a reduced guest rate. $75 and worth every penny. Played by myself, teeing off around 10:30. They had carts available, but I noticed everyone else there was walking and I didn't mind stretching my legs after a lot of driving--also to warm up because it was only about 38 degrees when I teed off. Had the front nine to myself and took my time with a ton of pictures. Caught up to a twosome on the back nine and ultimately joined them for the final few holes. Total round about 3.5 hours and I savored every minute of the experience. The pro kind of undersold the winter conditions when booking my round and allowing to come out and take pictures. However, the conditions were excellent. I was amazed at how nice this place given how cold and rainy it is in Eugene in the winter months. The place was lush and green from wall to wall. There were a few soft/mushy patches here and there, but otherwise, beautiful turf from tee to greens. The greens were also stellar. Just soft and receptive enough while rolling at medium/fast speeds. I'm sure they can really get these surfaces flying for big events. Bunkers were beautifully maintained. Just great on every level no matter what time of year, but especially in the dead of winter in Oregon. Really nice facilities and friendly staff made me feel welcome as an unaccompanied guest. The club has a lot of history and has hosted some big collegiate and amateur events throughout the years, as it is one of the Ducks' home courses. The pro told me that RTJ Sr. essentially "flipped" the course when he did his renovation in the 1960s. What is now the 1st tee area used to be the 18th green and most, if not all, of the holes essentially play backwards from what they originally did. I found that fascinating. Not sure why they did it, but I can't argue with what you get in the current course set-up. It's a fantastic layout. The first few holes kind of ease you in and then things really perk up. Holes 5-7 are kind of their version of Amen Corner. An awesome par-3 over water, followed by a killer dogleg right par-5 that takes advantage of the only real elevation change on the course, followed by another cool par-3 over water. The par-3 12th is another stand-out. Otherwise, most of the course is out in front of you, playing back and forth with tree-lined fairways. Tough green complexes and bunkering. Traditional old school feel, but beautiful, challenging and enjoyable in every way. Simply a great experience and easy to see why it's considered among the top 100 or 200 courses in the country (depending on whose rankings you are looking at).