Private clubs in Bend?

[mallrat]

You are the 4th person I know who has chosen Brasada as a new home. Seems to have a good membership. Enjoy it there

[charlesgwynn]

Just to throw my experience in here. Played in a tournament at Jack's Course at Pronghorn last year. Amazing track. Not necessarily a members course. More to the type to beat you down when you play it. I heard the Fazio track plays about 4-5 shots easier. I think it would be a great place to settle. Met some really cool down to earth members there too. I've also played the Sunriver Courses. Im not sure that I'd want to play those as frequently becuase of all the public tourist play, but I haven't gotten to play Corsswater yet so that may be different. I would love to checkout Broken Top or BGC!

[Slyter00]

Cross water might be the private gem, tough but the best at SR by far. We got married at Tetherow, not private and some love it, others don’t, but it’s got that Brandon/Gamble feel in the high desert. I’ve heard Aubrey Glen is a solid older private track, worth checking it out as well. Good luck w the transfer, def retiring in Bend. 

[pgetzen]

On 12/27/2020 at 6:19 PM, mallrat said:

You are the 4th person I know who has chosen Brasada as a new home. Seems to have a good membership. Enjoy it there

Thank, appreciate it, really seems like a good place to be

[Ty-Webb]

I hope it's cool to piggyback on this tread instead of making a new one.

 

Any Eagle Crest members? I am looking for a club & men's group to join. I had an annual pass in Sunriver a couple of years ago but didn't join the men's group.. I might go back but wanted to check out a Eagle Crest as it's of similar price and offerings as Sunriver. 39/M, 8 handicap

[mallrat]

I would look at Junipers men’s club over Eagle Crest. Always thought of Eagle Crest as more of a resort course with most locals being retirees

[Ty-Webb]

I see what you mean but Juniper, Lost Tracks, Rivers Edge get too crowded by locals and visitors. Also, unlike other courses, those courses are frequented by lesser skilled players (visitors that don’t play every much, or ever, that just want a different activity to do for the day in Central Oregon) - after reading this post again my original comment sounded very pretentious. 
 I would throw widgi in this category as well. 
Thirdly, if you look at the prices for a membership at the above courses you’ll notice that they’re the same if not more than Sunriver or Eagle Crest which have multiple courses under the membership. 

Edited February 3, 2021 by Ty-Webb

[Pulledabill]

22 hours ago, Ty-Webb said:

I see what you mean but Juniper, Lost Tracks, Rivers Edge get too crowded by locals and visitors. Also, unlike other courses, those courses are frequented by lesser skilled players that are visiting this area. I would throw widgi in this category as well. 
Thirdly, if you look at the prices for a membership at the above courses you’ll notice that they’re the same if not more than Sunriver or Eagle Crest which have multiple courses under the membership. 

If you are just playing Mens Club, it would seem like a non-resort course would be what you would want.  Call a few of them and ask them what the age grouping is like and quality of  play. You might find you get more in your age group in a league over Mens Club. 

[Ty-Webb]

Ok I am going to call around. And by Men's club I meant men's league. 

[Wardonation]

Bend Good Club best greens in the state and the best players in town... The course is brilliant but the clubhouse is old and tired and membership is CHEAP...

[puttnforthe8]

On 1/30/2021 at 2:29 PM, Wardonation said:

Bend Good Club best greens in the state and the best players in town... The course is brilliant but the clubhouse is old and tired and membership is CHEAP...

 

🤜the best players in town🤛

[SteveDCA]

Hi everyone,

 

Newbie on this forum - read this thread (it's pretty old) and had a question about "micro-climates" in the area.

 

For some of the more popular clubs mentioned here - Bend CC, Brasada, Pronghorn - is the all-year climate similar or different? I've heard that there could be pretty different weather patterns depending on where you are vs the mountains etc.

 

One factor that would make a pretty big difference to me would be golfing more months of the year (even year-round) - that's one thing that Pronghorn seems to market but I wasn't sure if it was true.

 

Also, if this is allowed, can folks provide rough estimates of initiation fees and annual membership fees? From what I've read, Pronghorn initiation seems to be tied to home ownership (often included in purchase price of a home). 

 

Thanks in advance - great forum!

[Ty-Webb]

Micro climates are a thing… to a point. Courses east of highway 97 are going to be playable most of the year, if you’re into playing in low 40’s windy weather. Juniper, pronghorn, brasada are the only 3 that come to mind. Sunriver courses close as soon as winter weather reads it’s head as well as Widgi. Not sure what Tethrow, Broken Top, or Awbrey do but assume something similar as they’re all higher elevation west of town nearest the mountains. 
I usually play pronghorn a few times in the winter months and it’s in great shape November- Feb/March. The snow is going to fall a few times during the winter to shut it down for 2-3 day stints or even a week or so if the heavy stuff reaches the east side. 

Edited July 28, 2022 by Ty-Webb

[Jeff58]

@SteveDCA It’s the same weather pattern, but it tends to snow more to the west, and what snow does fall in the east tends to melt quickly, often much more quickly, since you’re in the desert. 
 

There are pretty much three approaches to winter closures. Some set specific dates (like Tetherow), those that close due to conditions and then remain closed (Widgy), and those that stay open unless snow covered (Pronghorn).

 

There is a wide variety of courses, rates, housing, etc. Investing without significant on the ground experience is common and commonly a very bad idea.

[SteveDCA]

33 minutes ago, Jeff58 said:

@SteveDCA It’s the same weather pattern, but it tends to snow more to the west, and what snow does fall in the east tends to melt quickly, often much more quickly, since you’re in the desert. 
 

There are pretty much three approaches to winter closures. Some set specific dates (like Tetherow), those that close due to conditions and then remain closed (Widgy), and those that stay open unless snow covered (Pronghorn).

 

There is a wide variety of courses, rates, housing, etc. Investing without significant on the ground experience is common and commonly a very bad idea.

 

4 hours ago, Ty-Webb said:

Micro climates are a thing… to a point. Courses east of highway 97 are going to be playable most of the year, if you’re into playing in low 40’s windy weather. Juniper, pronghorn, brasada are the only 3 that come to mind. Sunriver courses close as soon as winter weather reads it’s head as well as Widgi. Not sure what Tethrow, Broken Top, or Awbrey do but assume something similar as they’re all higher elevation west of town nearest the mountains. 
I usually play pronghorn a few times in the winter months and it’s in great shape November- Feb/March. The snow is going to fall a few times during the winter to shut it down for 2-3 day stints or even a week or so if the heavy stuff reaches the east side. 

 

Thanks to both Ty and Jeff for the responses!

 

@Jeff58: 100% agree with you on experiencing the area, courses, housing, etc. before I'd consider investing. This is early on research as part of a 3-5 year retirement plan. Trying to get a general idea as to how Bend communities rate on some of the key factors - weather (how many months/year you can golf), cost for housing, up front and ongoing costs of golf, and of course the quality and variety of the golf itself. 

 

One thing that appeals to me about Pronghorn is 36 holes - I know 18 are public, but seems not to be overcrowded by tourists. My Mom & Dad retired in FL and were members of a 36-hole community and that's really appealing. And if Pronghorn's weather allows for near 12-month golf, all the better.

[mallrat]

When I worked there I believe the initiation was $80k and folded into the purchase price of your home or property. Pronghorn in the winter is similar to dormant grasses in the south. Very playable when the weather cooperates, while it’s open 12 months there are probably only 10 where golfing is realistic (think 2 weeks below 20 degrees and then a week in the 50’s.) 

 

I’ll throw out a random idea that happened when I worked there. There were 2 guys who just retired and moved to Brasada. They worked course maintenance at Pronghorn 2 - 3 days (1 worked 3 half days a week) for the free golf. One guy would come in on Thursdays and mow fairways for Thursday and Friday and that was it. You mostly get to play the Nicklaus (public course) but I averaged about 5 rounds a year on the Fazio (private course). The other benefit of this is your boss has an excellent reputation and got us on multiple courses including Crosswater and industry rates at Bandon because of who he knows.  
 

just throwing that out there. 

[Seasonsgolf]

What is the best course to work at in Bend Oregon and surrounding area in terms of tips!?!

[mallrat]

On 9/23/2024 at 4:00 PM, Seasonsgolf said:

What is the best course to work at in Bend Oregon and surrounding area in terms of tips!?!

Are you looking to do player services?