PNW Trip in August

[Argonne69]

Portland is on my short list. I'll get there soon. Chambers Bay is my primary destination.

[duffer987]

Portland is on my short list. I'll get there soon. Chambers Bay is my primary destination.

 

Being that you are not afraid of a few miles, I really think you should get out to Gamble Sands, I put it up there with Prairie Club/Dunes and a step ahead of Chambers (based on their greens) out of the faux links courses. Especially if you don't plan on getting back to WA. Of course if you do, then yes it could be part of a road trippy Eastern WA trip, with Couer D'Alene added too.

[Argonne69]

Portland is on my short list. I'll get there soon. Chambers Bay is my primary destination.

 

Being that you are not afraid of a few miles, I really think you should get out to Gamble Sands, I put it up there with Prairie Club/Dunes and a step ahead of Chambers (based on their greens) out of the faux links courses. Especially if you don't plan on getting back to WA. Of course if you do, then yes it could be part of a road trippy Eastern WA trip, with Couer D'Alene added too.

 

I'll certainly be back within a few years. I'm planning an early retirement, and after the purchase of a cozy Class A motor home, I'll be tooling around the continental U.S. and Canada hitting all the slightly out of the way places. Central/Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Western Montana are on the list.

 

Unfortunately it's a balancing act of miles vs. golf. Two hours is doable, but four hours each way basically takes a day away from playing. If there was nothing in the Seattle area, I'd have little choice. However, it appears that 7 to 10 rounds in the Puget Sound area are very doable.

[duffer987]

Fair enough :)

That's why I suggested the mid point courses in Suncadia, as if you were willing to drive up to the border, that makes it no different And the driving can occur after the golf, so it's just a loss of pub time ;)

 

Like the motorhome idea, especially for the expansive West and Northerly regions.

[lhahn]

As mentioned Loomis and Semi rotate public play between days so unless you want to do one each day and possibly add a third course to one of the days, might not be worth coming up to the Bellingham area. Both are nice courses but not sure if they'd be worth the drive or be much different that what you could get around Tacoma/Seattle.

 

I'd probably skip the area and save it for when you have your RV and can hit them up on your way to Vancouver/Whister.

[ryu123]

Argonne, except for Washington National & Palouse Ridge, I've played all the courses in your original post.

 

Agree with Wkuo & Ihahn that neither Semiahmoo nor Loomis are worth the drive. Both are set in housing developments.

 

Maybe add McCormick Woods instead. Agree with Spud that the Home Course is worth playing. Agree with Kascheiber that Gold Mountain (Olympic) may be the best value in the area. Salish Cliff is also very good. White Horse may be the toughest course I've ever played - no bailout areas.

 

Agree with Grew that Trophy Lake & Port Ludlow are okay, but not awesome. Stay away from the Newcastle courses. North Bellingham & Shuksan are decent courses, but not quite good enough for 5 day trip.

 

(When you retire with your RV you can get to Coeur d'Alene, Palouse Ridge, Wine Valley & Gamble Sands.)

[Argonne69]

Hmmm, OK now you've giving me something to consider. Ditch the Bellingham/Blaine area, and head west east to Idaho after playing the Tacoma area courses. With a few courses at the midway point, it might be worthwhile. Tempting. I did a cross-Nebraska trip in 2016, winding up in Denver, and that was 7+ hours.

[lhahn]

If you head west to Idaho you'll pass a lot of nice courses in Asia, Russia and Europe on the way to Idaho =)

 

But in all seriousness, skip Bellingham unless its on the way to somewhere else. Or if you do end up going, LMK and I'll come down and join you for a round or two.

[bradski]

Hmmm, OK now you've giving me something to consider. Ditch the Bellingham/Blaine area, and head west to Idaho after playing the Tacoma area courses. With a few courses at the midway point, it might be worthwhile. Tempting. I did a cross-Nebraska trip in 2016, winding up in Denver, and that was 7+ hours.

 

your will have a few hours of nothing between suncadia (hour east of seattle) and spokane. There is a course here and there but the east side of the mountains is mostly empty farm land.

 

The RV trip you could hit bend/ portland, Seattle, Spokane/Western idaho, utah salt lake area, Southern Utah/ Mesquite, Then Vegas, Then Scottsdale, Then head west to California, San Diego, then Palm Springs and work your way north.

[duffer987]

Hmmm, OK now you've giving me something to consider. Ditch the Bellingham/Blaine area, and head west east to Idaho after playing the Tacoma area courses. With a few courses at the midway point, it might be worthwhile. Tempting. I did a cross-Nebraska trip in 2016, winding up in Denver, and that was 7+ hours.

 

In 2015 we did Denver/Gothenburg(Wildhorse)/Valentine(Prairie Club)/Denver over a 5 day long weekend and still played 10 rounds - I know your trip was similar. It was a breeze right? ;)

Seattle - Gamble - Palouse - Coeur D'alene - Spokane is actually significantly less time and miles than that. Even returning to Seatac is the same miles, but additional time.

Even if you stick to the reasonable greater Seattle trip, I think I've just psyched myself up to do that, lol.

 

Regardless I agree with lhahn, my golfing life started out playing around Bellingham and while fun local/regional courses, I wouldn't get on a plane just to play them.

[ws6]

Yeah, I read about the soda tax. We had the same thing here in Cook County for a few months until us peasants revolted, and they were forced to rescind it. It was something along the lines of an 80% tax. Out of towners are always ripe for rip offs, but a 45% tax is the highest I've seen in my travels.

 

From Costco on 4th Street last week.

[glk23]

I live in Tacoma and would recommend you don't go north. Also, over the mountains east will be sweltering in August. I would suggest something along this line.

 

Day 1. Stay at Suncadia and play both courses

Day 2. Stay in Tacoma area and play Chambers and Home Course

Day 3. Stay in Shelton and play Salish Cliffs

Day 4. Stay in Bremerton and play Gold Mountain

Day 5. Stay in Port Townsend/Port Angeles and pick a couple of courses.

 

A Ferry back to Seattle is a piece of cake after its all over.

[leejohnkieh]

you seriously can't go wrong with any of these suggestions.

 

Maybe by August, the course conditions at Druid's Glen will be much improved (issues with former superintendent destroyed the course). One of my favorite layouts.

 

If you need another filler in the Tacoma area, Fort Lewis' golf course is pocket friendly and has the typical Washington feel with many trees. Conditions are a hit-miss here as well.

[leejohnkieh]

Argonne,

 

I should be able to bring you out to Tacoma Country Club in August if you stay in the Tacoma area.

[zzyzxx33]

Hmmm, OK now you've giving me something to consider. Ditch the Bellingham/Blaine area, and head west to Idaho after playing the Tacoma area courses. With a few courses at the midway point, it might be worthwhile. Tempting. I did a cross-Nebraska trip in 2016, winding up in Denver, and that was 7+ hours.

 

your will have a few hours of nothing between suncadia (hour east of seattle) and spokane. There is a course here and there but the east side of the mountains is mostly empty farm land.

 

The RV trip you could hit bend/ portland, Seattle, Spokane/Western idaho, utah salt lake area, Southern Utah/ Mesquite, Then Vegas, Then Scottsdale, Then head west to California, San Diego, then Palm Springs and work your way north.

 

I would add Bend/Central Oregon to the list!

[Argonne69]

OK, bringing this thread back to life 3 weeks before my trip. I believe I've ruled out the long drive to Gamble Sands and Idaho. I drove over 700 miles playing golf during the Memorial Day weekend, and that was 500 miles too many. I'll save the central and eastern Washington courses for another trip, possibly one originating in Spokane. I played 8 rounds in four days over the long Independence Day weekend, and it was a bit too much. Last summer I played 9 rounds in 6 days, and it seemed to hit the sweet spot. So, I'm thinking about a 2/1/2/1/2/1 schedule on this trip starting on Saturday, 8/11, and ending with a round on Thursday, 8/16 before heading to SeaTac for an afternoon flight.

 

A tentative agenda would be:

 

Sat AM: Washington National

Sat PM: The Home Course

Sun AM: Chambers Bay

Sun PM: Drive to Olympia

Mon AM: Salish Cliffs

Mon PM: Trophy Lake

Tues AM: Gold Mountain Olympic

Tues PM: Beer

Wed AM: Port Ludlow

Wed PM: Gold Mountain Cascade

Thu AM: White Horse

 

By the way, does anyone have a direct link to the PNGA Membership page? I've browsed their site, and can't see where one can sign up online. It appears that Chambers and Home offer PNGA discounts.

[zzyzxx33]

If you sigh up for the Oregon Or Washington Golf Association you are automatically signed up for PNGA (per there website https://thepnga.org/about-the-pnga-home/pnga-membership-faqs/ )

 

http://oga.org/oga-central-oregon for the Oregon Golf Association

 

https://thewsga.org/membership-home/join-or-renew/ for the Washington Golf Association

 

Hope this helps. If you ever make it down to Bend drop me a line.

Andrew

[duffer987]

PNGA is the umbrella organization for the state and provincial golf associations.

You're looking for this :)

https://thewsga.org/.../join-or-renew/

 

Edit: me slower than zz

[leejohnkieh]

If you want, I would be able to get you on at Tacoma CC one of the weekday afternoons (cuz of work).

[Argonne69]

If you want, I would be able to get you on at Tacoma CC one of the weekday afternoons (cuz of work).

 

'Very tempting. Is Monday afternoon a possibility? I could skip Trophy Lake, and head to TCC after my morning round at Salish.

[leejohnkieh]

If you want, I would be able to get you on at Tacoma CC one of the weekday afternoons (cuz of work).

 

'Very tempting. Is Monday afternoon a possibility? I could skip Trophy Lake, and head to TCC after my morning round at Salish.

 

Monday is definitely doable.

[Argonne69]

Salish Cliffs is semi-private, right? It looks like they don't allow bookings until 10:30 am at the earliest, so a morning round is a no-go. On top of that they don't allow singles to book, so I'm either going to have to talk them into letting me play as a single, or I'm going to have to skip it. The tee sheet looks fairly open, so I'm hoping for the best now. However, it definitely messes with the schedule.

[leejohnkieh]

Salish Cliffs is semi-private, right? It looks like they don't allow bookings until 10:30 am at the earliest, so a morning round is a no-go. On top of that they don't allow singles to book, so I'm either going to have to talk them into letting me play as a single, or I'm going to have to skip it. The tee sheet looks fairly open, so I'm hoping for the best now. However, it definitely messes with the schedule.

 

Salish is not semi-private. They must have something going on Monday morning. I'd give them a call.

[Argonne69]

Salish Cliffs is semi-private, right? It looks like they don't allow bookings until 10:30 am at the earliest, so a morning round is a no-go. On top of that they don't allow singles to book, so I'm either going to have to talk them into letting me play as a single, or I'm going to have to skip it. The tee sheet looks fairly open, so I'm hoping for the best now. However, it definitely messes with the schedule.

 

Salish is not semi-private. They must have something going on Monday morning. I'd give them a call.

 

Yeah, I'll have to do that. The earliest Monday tee time is 10 am. On Tuesday it's noon, and it's 8:20 am on Wednesday. I may have to consider flipping the agenda.

[duffer987]

Argonne did you make your CB time yet for the 12th?

[Argonne69]

Argonne did you make your CB time yet for the 12th?

 

No, not yet. I have to contact Hotel Murano to see if they have any CB/THC packages available. Given that I'll only be playing a single round on the 12th, my tee time is fairly flexible.

[CMCSGolf]

Make the effort to play Tacoma. Other than Chambers, many of the courses you are playing (Salish, Golf Mountain, and Washington National) are nice, but not outstanding. They'll have good conditions and beautiful scenery, but the golf itself is not amazing. good, but not great. Tacoma has more interesting features and strategy from a golf perspective, rather than a pretty dog leg right with a bunker on the inside and a mountain in the background.

[lhahn]

Looking forward to the pics and hearing about your trip!

 

Too bad I'll just be missing you. I'm coming down for a day trip to meet up with Monte for a private lesson on the 18th.

[mallrat]

TAKE HIM UP ON TCC

 

TCC is known or rumored to have the best Poa greens anywhere including the tour courses played on Poa. I say rumored because I haven’t played there but heard from many people that their greens are as good as it gets anywhere.

[leejohnkieh]

TAKE HIM UP ON TCC

 

TCC is known or rumored to have the best Poa greens anywhere including the tour courses played on Poa. I say rumored because I haven't played there but heard from many people that their greens are as good as it gets anywhere.

 

we have them running at a 14 right now......member-guest invitational this week