Anyone in Portland, Ore.?

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Hey guys, I'll be over in Portland for a training for a few days in late October and wondered:

1) if anyone has any experience whether the weather is likely to be okay at that time of year for golf in Portland; and

2) if there are any folks on here in Portland / surrounds that'd be keen to meet up for a round?

 

Brad

[MmmmmmBuddy]

I live exactly 110 miles south of Portland. You can get some amazing days in late October. Also some really crappy ones.  Depending on the day of the week, I might be able to squeak away and get in a few holes...

 

N.

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Well I'll definitely be putting my order in for a couple of the amazing days while I'm there. Do you have suggestions for decent golf courses close to Portland (reasonably priced)

I'll let you know as soon as i can on dates.

Brad

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Pretty big metro area.  What part of town are you staying in??  Do you have access to ground transportation? How much is "reasonably priced"?

[Kenny B]

Hi Brad, MmmmmmBuddy!

I live about 200 miles east of Portland up the Columbia River.  I travel that way quite often as I have family near Salem, OR.  Not sure about the timing as I do travel quite a bit and October is shaping up to be a busy month, but I love the area (not so much the rain; that's one reason I moved!) 

 

If it works out, I could be interested.  Haven't played in Portland, since I always "just pass through."  Might be difficult playing with a Duck though.  Go Beavs!

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Hi Brad, MmmmmmBuddy!

I live about 200 miles east of Portland up the Columbia River.  I travel that way quite often as I have family near Salem, OR.  Not sure about the timing as I do travel quite a bit and October is shaping up to be a busy month, but I love the area (not so much the rain; that's one reason I moved!) 

 

If it works out, I could be interested.  Haven't played in Portland, since I always "just pass through."  Might be difficult playing with a Duck though.  Go Beavs!

 

I really like Wildhorse... The only place I play up the Columbia. I just passed through the Tri-Cities this week. On the way through from Glacier NP.   I will play with anyone.  Even a Beaver fan. 

[Aotearoa_Brad]

I'm staying in Morrison at The Nines for work - have to be there for training 10/27-10/29 so I'm thinking 10/26 (Sunday) or 10/30 (Thursday) potentially for golf if that suits. Whats reasonable? Well in Hawaii reasonable is $50-$70 but I haven't played golf in any other states so I'm not sure how that compares. I'll take any advice/suggestions you guys can give.

Hey Kenny, any suggestions for courses around Portland? 

[Kenny B]

I'm staying in Morrison at The Nines for work - have to be there for training 10/27-10/29 so I'm thinking 10/26 (Sunday) or 10/30 (Thursday) potentially for golf if that suits. Whats reasonable? Well in Hawaii reasonable is $50-$70 but I haven't played golf in any other states so I'm not sure how that compares. I'll take any advice/suggestions you guys can give.

Hey Kenny, any suggestions for courses around Portland? 

 

Wow, fancy place.  Out of my price range!  Right downtown, lots to do there.  Good food too.  If you are a fan of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dive on the Food Network, you can look up some nice places to eat there.  Probably one of the nicest steak places is the Ringside.  

 

I haven't played golf in Portland, so I can't make any recommendations.  I am always in a hurry to get through town, usually around holidays, to visit family or get home.  I did go to a "fun" tournament, the Fred Meyer Challenge, years ago hosted by Peter Jacobson at the Oregon Golf Club, but I think it is private.  Got to get up close and personal with the pros!

 

Hope the dates work out; I would like to finally play there.

 

I really like Wildhorse... The only place I play up the Columbia. I just passed through the Tri-Cities this week. On the way through from Glacier NP.   I will play with anyone.  Even a Beaver fan. 

 

Wildhorse is nice, about an hour away from here.  Next time you are up this way, you should try Wine Valley just outside Walla Walla.  It's a little like Wildhorse.  Very nice, tough course, big fairways, not one tree!!  The have hosted several PNGA amateur events and is rated as the 2nd best course to play in Washington state behind Chambers Bay, the next US Open venue. 

 

I have played with several Ducks in the past couple of years; one on Maui 2 years ago.  He had a Duck hat, Duck golf bag, Duck head covers; hard to miss!  

[MmmmmmBuddy]

I have played a bit in P-town..  Here are my recommendations.  Pumpkin Ridge out in North Plains is Awesome, but spendy. Langdon Farms is a bit south of town (15 min) right on the big interstate, but quite fun. Portland has several very good municipal courses, including Broadmoor, Heron Lakes, Glendoveer, and Eastmoreland. 

 

As far as food goes, try The Montage.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Le+Bistro+Montage,+301+SE+Morrison+St,+Portland,+OR+97214/The+Nines,+Portland,+525+SW+Morrison+St,+Portland,+OR+97204/@45.5162292,-122.6778818,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x54950a09e24ba9c9:0xc58633406bacde00!2m2!1d-122.662558!2d45.517365!1m5!1m1!1s0x54950a05a9df9055:0x309cbd634dc61cc0!2m2!1d-122.677742!2d45.518894

 

Totally worth it.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

 

Wildhorse is nice, about an hour away from here.  Next time you are up this way, you should try Wine Valley just outside Walla Walla.  It's a little like Wildhorse.  Very nice, tough course, big fairways, not one tree!!  The have hosted several PNGA amateur events and is rated as the 2nd best course to play in Washington state behind Chambers Bay, the next US Open venue. 

 

I have played with several Ducks in the past couple of years; one on Maui 2 years ago.  He had a Duck hat, Duck golf bag, Duck head covers; hard to miss!  

 

Wine Valley is on my list, as well as Palouse Ridge.  Next trip. 

[Kenny B]

Palouse Ridge is very nice. If you are coming from Spokane, play Circling Raven, then Palouse Ridge and then Wine Valley. Could do the reverse too. Circling Raven is a casino course like Wildhorse. All are scenic, but of the three, I think Palouse Ridge is the harder course. It also has very good food for a golf course. We also found a very nice restaurant and brewery in Pullman called Birch and Barley. Highly recommend it.

 

As for Portland, I have driven by Langdon Farms just off I-5 and always wanted to stop and play. Maybe one of these trips south.

[Txstcatman]

Played in Portland just this past month, for the second time. The three courses I've experienced were all positives for me, granted they were played in mid summer conditions (everything green, lush, and gorgeous compared to some Texas dry conditions).

 

Eastmoreland - great muni track, and I think the oldest in town. I think I played on a weekday and had the course to myself, walking. Loved the way the course wound it's way through the area, which includes a trek across the front entrance of one of the city gardens.

 

Heron Lakes - another great course. Played the Blue and liked the layout. Not a tight course to get around, but some sneaky holes for the unfamiliar golfer. One could gripe about the course being so close to PDX but you forget about it after seeing some of the wildlife, especially the heron that are the track's namesake.

 

The Reserve - a little outside of Portland proper in the suburb of Aloha. The course was beautiful and had some great holes that provided nice challenges. I played the South, which is a more traditional American style course. The North is a links-style track with lots of tall brush lining the fairways. The par 5s on the South were loooong (well for me at least) and were all three shot, or more haha, holes.

 

I've read about Pumpkin Ridge and Langdon being great courses to hit up, but I generally reserve $100+ rounds for bucket list courses (like my TP South round before playing The Reserve this summer).

 

Best wishes on your trip and I hope you have a great time. My wife lived in Portland for two years and has always said she wishes she could take me there in October to see the color changes and weather.

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Thanks for the suggestions guys - I'm still not really sure where I'll play - I have all day Sunday (10/26) so I guess I'll see where I can get a tee time. I'm not taking my clubs so I'll have to organize somewhere I can rent a set ... I assume most places hire them out these days...

[Kenny B]

Thanks for the suggestions guys - I'm still not really sure where I'll play - I have all day Sunday (10/26) so I guess I'll see where I can get a tee time. I'm not taking my clubs so I'll have to organize somewhere I can rent a set ... I assume most places hire them out these days...

 

I know it's pretty common in HI to rent sets off property.  A friend of mine went to Maui a couple of months ago with the family and didn't want to haul his clubs there.  The best deal was renting off property, especially if playing more than once at more than one location.

 

I haven't seen that here stateside.  Most everywhere I play has rental sets but the quality can really suck.  When I played in Albuquerque at the Sandia Casino course, they had a whole bag of brand new Titleists.  However, I also played at the UNM South where I got a mixed bag of old Cobras.  I did play once in Denver where I could choose which set to rent.  That was nice.  

 

I think in Portland it will depend on the quality of the course.  Munis are particularly notorious for mixing up a bag of mis-matched clubs so there is less chance of being stolen.  The worse rentals I have seen are ones with very worn grips; very difficult to play.  I would suggest finding the course you want to play and asking about the quality of their rentals when making a tee time.  Of course you can't pick the weather in Portland, but my hunch is bring rain gear!  Being this late in the year, I suspect that getting a tee time will not be difficult.  Many courses will have morning gangsomes, but they tend to be small groups this time of the year.  Also, I would look for a tee time prior to 1pm.  Getting darker and a cloudy day will make it worse.

 

Wish I could get away and join you, unless it's rainy!  I grew up on the wet side of the mountains.  Now I only go there to visit family.

[Aotearoa_Brad]

haha - I appreciate the heads-up Kenny! I made a few calls this morning and there seems to be a couple of options for renting clubs. I may look into off-property rental as well though, especially given your cautions.

[Kenny B]

haha - I appreciate the heads-up Kenny! I made a few calls this morning and there seems to be a couple of options for renting clubs. I may look into off-property rental as well though, especially given your cautions.

If you haven't seen it, a new member from Portland joined today. Look up rcpunt. He might have some good suggestions for courses. Good luck!

[Kenny B]

Hey guys, I'll be over in Portland for a training for a few days in late October and wondered:

1) if anyone has any experience whether the weather is likely to be okay at that time of year for golf in Portland; and

2) if there are any folks on here in Portland / surrounds that'd be keen to meet up for a round?

Brad

Looks like it is going to be a wet one! Sorry about that.

It's a lot drier and 10 degrees warmer 200 miles up the Columbia river from Portland.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Take this nasty weather back to Hawaii with you when you go please..... 

[Aotearoa_Brad]

I've been watching the forecast eagerly - two days ago it looked like I might've had a window for a round on Sunday, but doesn't look too good now...

I'm thinking either some trout/salmon fishing or craft beer tasting may be in order instead!

[Kenny B]

Craft beer tasting... You're still going to get wet fishing.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

I've been watching the forecast eagerly - two days ago it looked like I might've had a window for a round on Sunday, but doesn't look too good now...

I'm thinking either some trout/salmon fishing or craft beer tasting may be in order instead!

Salmon fishing is quite good this time of year, but, when in Portland, you would be doing yourself a pretty big disservice if you did NOT Craft Beer "taste"...

[Aotearoa_Brad]

I'm thinking cancelling the rental car might be in order - though maybe I can start from the outside and work my way toward the microbrewery epicenter... drive to a few then drop the car off early and continue my venture... I sense a beer adventure thread coming on...

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Be glad that you are not traveling on I5 today.  Horrible accident about 75 miles south of Portland. Interstate stopped in both directions.... It's a mess.

 

I look forward to reading all about your impressions of our little city here in the NW.

[Kenny B]

I heard today that Portland got 2 inches of rain yesterday, most in a 24 hour period in recorded history.  It rains a lot there, but it is usually a drizzle.  That's a lot of rain in a short time here in Oregon.  

 

Would love to hear about your beer adventure; I am usually trying to get through Portland heading south in I-5, so don't spend any time in town.  Sounds like I am glad I am not headed that way today!

[Aotearoa_Brad]

I'll be sure to take lots of photos and sampling notes

[Mr_Theoo]

I'll be sure to take lots of photos and sampling notes

Make sure they're hand written so we can see how effective the beer was as the day goes on lol

[Aotearoa_Brad]

That is a good idea Sean!