Went on Bend, OR golf trip this past weekend. Took my brother and two friends to knock off 3 course from the Golf Digest Top 100 Courses you can play. Our itinerary was packed. We flew in SAT, Augu... Continue »

Went on Bend, OR golf trip this past weekend. Took my brother and two friends to knock off 3 course from the Golf Digest Top 100 Courses you can play. Our itinerary was packed. We flew in SAT, August 20th, played Pronghorn, On 8/21, we played Sunriver - Meadows in morning and then Tetethrow in the afternoon. On Monday 8/22, we finished our trip by playing Sunriver - Crosswater.

This review is for Sunriver - Crosswater.

After checking in with security gate to confirm our tee time, we were lead to the bag drop area. This was the most exclusive course we were playing on this trip as it a semi-private course and you had to stay at Sunriver Resort to play here. As we checked in, we notice signs everywhere "Members Only" or "This are is restricted to Members". We could not use the locker room, - Members Only. They had only 1 toliet and 1 urinal for public use. We paid $179 for our green fees. I thought it was supersteep considering we couldn't use or access 80% of club house.

The layout was the best part of this course. Almost every hole after 4 had forced carry and hazards on approach or tee shots. The wet marshland and rivers was a terror on misstruck balls. The greens were running 10.5. The fairways were in great shape, but much more divot damage and unrepaired marks compared to Meadows. The rough was thick and penal and grabbed your clubs. The sandstraps were semi-firm. The layout was super unique and very challenge. From the tips, the course plays over 7,700 yards.
The cart girl came by a couple of times and the snack shop was well stocked and well priced.

We had a great time playing this course and it was a good way to end our Bend trip.

Played here at noon on Monday, 10/27/14, after my Vegas golf buddy returned home after our annual weekend, in Bend this year. I’d been reading and hearing about Crosswater as a primo venue for many ye... Continue »

Played here at noon on Monday, 10/27/14, after my Vegas golf buddy returned home after our annual weekend, in Bend this year. I’d been reading and hearing about Crosswater as a primo venue for many years and took the opportunity to play it. After 4 days of golf in squirrely weather in the Bend area I was a little tired and went for a low stress round – I played the whites (69.4/126/6185) as a single on a day when there were a total of about 12 people playing the course. This was a very relaxing round as the course plays around and through a large flat riverine meadow, surrounded by large evergreens and scattered very large homes, with views of the distant mountains in the background. After several days of intermittent rain, the day was cool and sunny with some scattered high clouds, occasional breezes, and almost total quiet in this secluded setting. The putting green, and greens on the course, were recently aerified (10-12 days previous); the sanded holes in the greens were still visible, but the greens rolled well at medium speed; they were soft and receptive to all shots. On this day I saw animal prints in all of the soft greens and some bunkers. Fairways were also recently aerified and were soft and didn’t give a lot of roll, but lies were generally fine. Tee boxes were also aerified but were flat and in good condition. I wasn’t in any sand. This course features attractive tee shots/bridge crossings across the river/wetland areas of the course. Some fairways were being watered and were a little soggy in spots. The greens are generally large and don’t have excessive movement but can be divided by interior swales and rolls, or shaped to have distinct sections and targets. Many greens have shaved runoff/collection areas. There was no GPS, and no yardage book, making decisions chancy for first-time players; the pro shop guy said “use the phone app” (I didn’t have one!); there’s a 150-yard aiming pole but very few other yardage aids – there are few marked sprinklers that I found. Pin positions were pretty benign today – the guy placing them must have had a good night’s sleep and plenty of coffee! No pins hidden behind bunkers or pushed over on the sucker side of the greens. Looking at the card and the holes played, the hole handicaps on the back side were screwy – i.e., #17 is a brute of a par 3 – 244 into the wind from the back tees, and 16 hcp??!! There are several other instances on that side that don’t make sense. I don’t like the design on #16 – a forced layup off the tee – even my 3-wood wound up in the rough between the fairway segments, forcing a punchout. Then the severe pedestal green with the back sloping away ……. Another instance of not having good yardage guides to help you play the hole. However, overall I had a very enjoyable, relaxing round. Highly recommended.

Played 9/16 with a 9:24 tee time. This place is first rate all the way. At the bag drop they take your bag and have it waiting on your cart. After you check in with the pro shop they walk you down to ... Continue »

Played 9/16 with a 9:24 tee time. This place is first rate all the way. At the bag drop they take your bag and have it waiting on your cart. After you check in with the pro shop they walk you down to your cart and explain the layout of the clubhouse.
Then it's off to the range with all the Nxt tour balls you want to warm up. Beautiful range and putting green.
I'm only going to say that Everything out on the course was pristine. Pop was 4:15
This is a very challenging track with water, long native grasses and some pretty long carries to deal with. One of the par threes is 210 and it's almost all carry.
You have to stay at the resort to play here and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I will post some pics when I get home. Absolutely beautiful vistas with Mt. Bachelor in the background.

Played the course on July 21st. Outstanding, from check in to the course. Pro shop is friendly and informative. Practice areas are well maintained with a huge hitting area, 3 bunker with large green p... Continue »

Played the course on July 21st. Outstanding, from check in to the course. Pro shop is friendly and informative. Practice areas are well maintained with a huge hitting area, 3 bunker with large green practice area. Putting green is large and relates course conditions and green speed well.
The boxes were flat and well maintained, little to no divot damage even on the par three holes. Fairways were lush and provided a fair amount of role. First cut of rough was thick and lush, ranging from 2-4 inches. Past that and trouble awaits, high thick natural grass that swallows your ball, don't get greedy here or big numbers await. Fair landing zones off the tee with plenty of trouble from Large Ponderosa Pines, marsh areas, and plenty of water in the form of lakes, creeks and river. Accuracy here is a premium over distance, but there are a few carries of plus 200 yards from the middle tees. Greens are excellent, large smooth and very quick, running a 13 on this day. Hit a good shot and you were rewarded, but miss your aiming point left or right of the pin, or get above the pin and 3 putts were likely. Greens have plenty of unseen breaks as well as ones that you could see and read but still not believe. Bunkers were in great condition, with all shots being available for play. Average depth of sand was 4-6 inches with steep high faces. A terrific course with outstanding conditions through out, a most play when in the area, pictures to follow soon.