Pronghorn vs Tetherow vs Crosswater vs Brasada

[FourUnder]

I was in a conversation recently about central oregon golf and we were discussing how we would rank the 5 expensive courses in the area.

 

Pronghorn Nicklaus

Pronghorn Fazio

Tetherow

Crosswater

Brasada Ranch

 

Even if you've only played a couple of them, I'm curious to hear how you would rank the ones you've played and why you prefer the courses you ranked higher.

[oregongolf]

I was in a conversation recently about central oregon golf and we were discussing how we would rank the 5 expensive courses in the area.

 

Pronghorn Nicklaus

Pronghorn Fazio

Tetherow

Crosswater

Brasada Ranch

 

Even if you've only played a couple of them, I'm curious to hear how you would rank the ones you've played and why you prefer the courses you ranked higher.

 

For me, I prefer...

 

1. Pronghorn Fazio

2. Tetherow

3. Brasada

4. Pronghorn Nicklaus

5. Crosswater

 

Fazio is a great design, I really enjoy my rounds out there. Obviously, the conditioning is perfect between the two courses at Pronghorn, but I find Fazio to be the most fun of the two.

 

Tetherow is admittedly not for everyone, but I love it. Yes, it's quirky, but it's much less so now with the changes they've made compared to when it opened.

 

Brasada is very good and has grown on me. Probably the only Jacobsen course I like (tough to screw up course design in Central Oregon). I like the elevation changes on the longest holes.

 

Nicklaus is great. It can play very challenging, especially as you move back. The tee lines are deceiving. More of a grind, but still fun.

 

Crosswater. Great track, lacks some of the wow of the top 4, but it is world class. I would just prefer to play the other 4 more frequently.

[puttnforthe8]

1. Pronghorn Fazio

2. Brasada

3. Tetherow

4. Crosswater

5. Pronghorn Nicklaus

I knocked Tetherow down a little bit because of some of the gimmicky holes.

I really like Brasada overall experience so it moves towards the top.

I think Crosswater from the tips is brilliant and could be #3.

I think PN was boring and plain.

[ryu123]

I've only played three of the courses listed.

 

I really liked the Nicklaus course at Pronghorn, especially the long par 3 third hole.

Generally I'm not a fan of his courses (Ruby Hill, Desert Mountain - Chiricahua, Mayacama, Sherwood), but I thought Pronghorn was fun & challenging.

 

The Fazio course was well-groomed but predictable. The only thing I remember about the course was the tunnel after the par 3 eighth hole. (The caddie said the workers building the course would sometimes rest in the tunnel during hot weather, since it was much cooler than the surface.)

 

I really disliked Tetherow, for a number of reasons. The course is built on the side of a hill, and I thought there were some goofy holes. Also, as a non-member years ago the club required me to take a playing caddie, who had his own power cart. He was a really nice fellow, but not a good player & sprayed his shots. So we spent a lot of time hunting his golf balls. That detracted from the experience.

 

I'd play the Nicklaus course again, but not the other two.

[meaks17]

I can only comment on Pronghorn Nicklaus and Tetherow. I enjoyed them both but Tetherow was a completely different style of play than I am used to (I am from the midwest). Pronghorn Nicklaus was first rate in terms of course condition and the overall experience but lacked as much unique character as Tetherow. If I went back to Bend I'd gladly play both but if I had to choose one it would be Pronghorn. I have a full review on Pronghorn Nicklaus on my site listed in my signature.

[Gachnar]

Brasada

Tetherow

Crosswater

Nicklaus

 

I haven't played the Fazio, but I didn't really love the Nicklaus, though I'd play any of those courses any time. I thought Pronghorn was too soft around the greens when I played it (summer), much prefer firm and fast, especially in the desert.

 

Brasada is just fun, agree with the poster above that it may be the only Jacobsen design I enjoy. Crosswater for me depends on how I'm playing. If I drive like crap it's just a long day out there.

[mallrat]

Having now played all these except Brasada, my fav is Tetherow by a good margin then Fazio then Crosswater and then Nicklaus.

 

Just really enjoyed Tetherow, almost has a Bandon Trails feel to me.

[dpark]

1. Pronghorn Fazio

2. Brasada

3. Crosswater

4. Pronghorn Nicklaus

 

I won't even bother to give Tetherow a spot on the list. Just an awful, gimmicky course that I will never play again. Supposedly they made some changes, but it was so awful when I played it, I just won't bother to give it another try.

[AzRock]

I hope this thread is still active!  My comments on two great courses: 

 

1. Pronghorn Fazio

2.Tetherow

 

Pronghorn is a Fazio masterpiece with great facilities. Extremely playable, fun but challenging.  Best greens in Central Oregon, impressive speeds. I could play this every day.

 

Tetherow(now somewhat tamed) is a great example of Kidd’s Scottish heritage.  Fast and firm but generous fairways. Eyebrows in fairways throughout the course which are visually stunning.  One very tricky downhill par 4 which most will find very difficult the first time around, but Scotland golf demands creative shotmaking and strategic placement!  I have loved this track from day one.  Bring your short game, low bounce wedges, and use your putter like a Scot! 

 

[ThermalDan]

I've loved Tetherow for a long time (fully aware its not for everyone), but just got to play Pronghorn - Fazio this past spring.  Wow!  My favorite Fazio I've played.  I liked it better than Shadow Creek.  Was impressed to see that I wasn't far off from the GOLF magazine rankings that just came out and had Shadow Creek #1 and Pronghorn #2 for Fazio public courses in the US.  Tetherow and Pronghorn are extremely different types of courses, but both an absolute treat to play.  

Edited December 7, 2024 by ThermalDan

[Ty-Webb]

1. Brasada

2. Pronghorn Fazio

3. Crosswater

4. Tetherow

5. Pronghorn Nicklaus

 

I played Brasada on a cold late fall day and we received snow once we stepped on 17 tee but what a course and best views of all on the list. I've only played it that once so I debated not putting it #1.

I have a good friend that was a employee at Pronghorn so got to play a lot of both courses. It's Hard to put Nicklaus down at #5 but that's a great list of courses.  Fazio could have easily been #1.

 

Crosswater and Tetherow couldn't be more different but I've had some great times at both. I am in the crowd that enjoys Tetherow and don't mind the layout. I will however not ever play it in the fall when the greens go dormant. Crosswater and all of Sunriver just have a spot in my heart. 

[SilverBullets]

I thought Brasda was a lot better golf course than Tetherow.  Just a really solid, quality, golf course which is a good play.

 

I freaking hated Tetherow lol