Gamble Sands Quick Review and Pictures

[bird206]

Got there on Sunday 5/2 and played 18 that afternoon. What an amazing course! Fun! Had Colton as my caddy and would specifically recommend him. Highly suggested to get a caddy for the first time to show you target lines and read the greens. Course is very walkable. I played solo with the caddy and nobody behind us and in front of us for the whole round that started at 2pm. Next morning played the new Quicksands course and a quick round on the Cascades Putting Course. 1 night stay for all of that.

 

Things I liked:

• Fairways playing fast and firm (a couple 300 yard drives with roll out)
• Hole design and routing (not a super difficult course but still a little challenging)
• Isolated from everything else
• Staff was nice
• Food and lodging was quality
• Quicksands short course and Cascade putting course was fun

 

I would definitely go back in the future. I was told Second Course is in the works as well. Crossing my fingers.

 

 

 

Edited May 19, 2021 by bird206

[cassel191919]

Thanks for the write up, some of those pictures don't even look real. I really can't wait to make my way up there.

[spud3]

Looks great.  Waiting for that second course, then it's a viable Road Trip destination.

[kaschreiber]

Thanks for the review, @bird206. I'm heading out there Memorial Day weekend. From the pics, it looks like the greens may be burned out in a few spots, especially on Cascades. What kind of shape were they in?

[bird206]

12 hours ago, kaschreiber said:

Thanks for the review, @bird206. I'm heading out there Memorial Day weekend. From the pics, it looks like the greens may be burned out in a few spots, especially on Cascades. What kind of shape were they in?

Greens weren't terrible but don't expect super clean greens. Definitely still playable and will not take away from the enjoyment of the course. Supposedly the bright spots on the greens is where staff had to manually pick away the Poa creeping into the fescue from what the staff explained to me. It wasn't a big issue to me and I still had fun playing the course.

Edited May 22, 2021 by bird206

[thezinfan]

I really don't think you need a caddy there, and I don't think the dozen or so people I know who have played out there have ever taken a caddy. I haven't either. The tiers on the greens are pretty flat, and most of the back stops are obvious. Worse case, get the course guide.

[D_Rob_PNW]

Thanks for the review. The only time I’ve played out there was a few years back right at the beginning of fire season so our views of the landscape we much different than yours.

[kaschreiber]

Just got back from a two night trip out there and sharing some quick thoughts.

 

Went with 8 guys ranging in hc from 4-25. We played Quicksands when we arrived on Thursday, 36 on Sands Fri, 18 Saturday morning before leaving. Everyone had a great time and the course was in phenomenal shape. Everyone found it extremely enjoyable- the 25 hc broke 100 for the first time, the 4 hc had his best round ever (a 3 putt par on 18 to shoot E. We roasted him accordingly). The course itself is great and with the addition of QS and a second course, it's going to be a premier resort in WA. That said, I feel like the management itself is lacking. Some random thoughts:

 

1. Unlike Bandon, holy smokes do they gouge you on prices. $9 for a 12 oz Bodhi. Don't worry, buy 5 get 1 free! A $45 6pack of beer is not my idea of reasonable. There are signs everywhere to not bring your own booze on the course, but at that price you aren't leaving people much choice.

2. The range is small. For a place that aims to be the premier course in WA, Pinnacle range balls that are torn to crap don't really send that message. I think there were 12 people that could hit on the range at a time?

3. The pro shop merch is lacking. Wanted to snag a 5W cover, they don't have any branded head covers. They had some really cool Bad Birdies polos, also not branded. Throw your logo on those and mark them up and drop your beer prices?

4. Me being nit picky, but think there should be a drink cart or more than one drink stand. If you're walking, not sure you want to carry a water bottle and 9 holes worth of drinks with you in 85 degree weather.

5. No replay rate unless you book the replay day of. I'm not willing to drive to Brewster and take the chance we can sneak out in the afternoon. We paid $150 for both round on Friday. $150 for the round is a great deal, they could have charged me $200 and a $100 replay rate and I wouldn't care. Just the mentality that there's no replay if you book in advance rubbing me the wrong way.

6. They wouldn't give us cart keys until 10 minutes before our tee time. Had to lug our bags up to the range, then back to the carts. A big deal- no- but at a premier resort you'd think they'd cater to your every whim.

 

tl;dr- the course itself is fantastic and worth a trip from the Seattle area IMO. The management of the property itself, independent of the golf course, leaves a bit to be desired.

 

 

 

Edited February 23, 2022 by kaschreiber

[R4haehl]

1 hour ago, kaschreiber said:

Just got back from a two night trip out there and sharing some quick thoughts.

 

Went with 8 guys ranging in hc from 4-25. We played Quicksands when we arrived on Thursday, 36 on Sands Fri, 18 Saturday morning before leaving. Everyone had a great time and the course was in phenomenal shape. Everyone found it extremely enjoyable- the 25 hc broke 100 for the first time, the 4 hc had his best round ever (a 3 putt par on 18 to shoot E. We roasted him accordingly). The course itself is great and with the addition of QS and a second course, it's going to be a premier resort in WA. That said, I feel like the management itself is lacking. Some random thoughts:

 

1. Unlike Bandon, holy smokes do they gouge you on prices. $9 for a 12 oz Bodhi. Don't worry, buy 5 get 1 free! A $45 6pack of beer is not my idea of reasonable. There are signs everywhere to not bring your own booze on the course, but at that price you aren't leaving people much choice.

2. The range is small. For a place that aims to be the premier course in WA, Pinnacle range balls that are torn to crap don't really send that message. I think there were 12 people that could hit on the range at a time?

3. The pro shop merch is lacking. Wanted to snag a 5W cover, they don't have any branded head covers. They had some really cool Bad Birdies polos, also not branded. Throw your logo on those and mark them up and drop your beer prices?

4. Me being nit picky, but think there should be a drink cart or more than one drink stand. If you're walking, not sure you want to carry a water bottle and 9 holes worth of drinks with you in 85 degree weather.

5.  No replay rate unless you book the replay day of. I'm not willing to drive to Brewster and take the chance we can sneak out in the afternoon. We paid $150 for both round on Friday. $150 for the round is a great deal, they could have charged me $200 and a $100 replay rate and I wouldn't care. Just the mentality that there's no replay if you book in advance rubbing me the wrong way.

6. They wouldn't give us cart keys until 10 minutes before our tee time. Had to lug our bags up to the range, then back to the carts. A big deal- no- but at a premier resort you'd think they'd cater to your every whim.

 

tl;dr- the course itself is fantastic and worth a trip from the Seattle area IMO. The management of the property itself, independent of the golf course, leaves a bit to be desired.

 

 

 

Agree with all of those thoughts but mostly the following. Merch was a major let down and has been the last 2 or 3 times I have been there. Wish they had some Seamus headcovers or AM&E. They used to have some Seamus. Lack of a replay rate for advance booking is ridiculous. It was early season when I was there so they were definitely short staffed which I am not going to knock them for since everyone was hustling but they still have some kinks to work out.

 

I was there the week before quicksands opened so I havent experienced that yet. I have been saying for awhile but once a 2nd full 18 course is built, that place will take a few steps up. More than likely I will end up going again later this summer, so we will see 🙂 

[bird206]

13 minutes ago, R4haehl said:

Agree with all of those thoughts but mostly the following. Merch was a major let down and has been the last 2 or 3 times I have been there. Wish they had some Seamus headcovers or AM&E. They used to have some Seamus. Lack of a replay rate for advance booking is ridiculous. It was early season when I was there so they were definitely short staffed which I am not going to knock them for since everyone was hustling but they still have some kinks to work out.

 

I was there the week before quicksands opened so I havent experienced that yet. I have been saying for awhile but once a 2nd full 18 course is built, that place will take a few steps up. More than likely I will end up going again later this summer, so we will see 🙂 

Yup, agree with those things pointed out regarding the merchandise, practice range, and pricing needs to improve in order to be a premier destination. I really wanted to buy some type of merchandise but really couldn't find anything appealing in the golf shop. Luckily I was there when it was not super busy, but heard the night before it was really busy and the staff at the restaurant couldn't keep up with the number of people. Not sure if the little town of Brewster has enough workforce to handle a big golf resort that aspires to be a Bandon like golf destination. Hopefully they can if they get a second course and will need additional lodging. Crossing fingers.

[sittonsideways]

Going to piggyback off this thread a bit.
 

 

Playing Gamble next week and have a couple questions about the course/weather. Looks like it gets pretty damn hot out in central Washington (who knew? 😂):

- Their website gives the impression it's walking only, which is cool, but want to confirm that as to know what to expect ahead of time
- Should I expect the course (especially greens) to be burnt out? I haven't played many places where it's 100F+ and doesn't burn up much of grass

 

Just trying to set expectations as I haven't spent any time in that part of the world. I can handle heat okay, but my ignorance slapped me in the face when I pulled up the weather and saw temps around 110 in Brewster. I'm sure it's going to be a blast, but seeing the heat I'd be playing in made the alarm bells starting going off a bit.

[Edaw68]

Not walking only, plenty of carts available, fees listed on the website.  That's for the big course, I'm unsure on the par 3 course.  I played last August and it was around 100 during the day.  It wasn't burnt out, but wasn't lush.  The ball would run.  

 

Pack a lot of extra fluids during the round, there's only one spot to replenish on the course, a small turnstand after #10 (I think).  A soft cooler or a couple extra hydroflasks or yetis.

 

[bird206]

1 hour ago, Edaw68 said:

Not walking only, plenty of carts available, fees listed on the website.  That's for the big course, I'm unsure on the par 3 course.  I played last August and it was around 100 during the day.  It wasn't burnt out, but wasn't lush.  The ball would run.  

 

Pack a lot of extra fluids during the round, there's only one spot to replenish on the course, a small turnstand after #10 (I think).  A soft cooler or a couple extra hydroflasks or yetis.

 

Agree with "the ball would run"...plan on well struck shots going further than normal and possibly running off the fairway. Adjust distances accordingly.

 

Yes, it will be super hot during that time so stay very hydrated.

 

[kaschreiber]

Carts have coolers with ice they load you up before teeing off as well. 

[sittonsideways]

4 hours ago, Edaw68 said:

Not walking only, plenty of carts available, fees listed on the website.  That's for the big course, I'm unsure on the par 3 course.  I played last August and it was around 100 during the day.  It wasn't burnt out, but wasn't lush.  The ball would run.  

 

Pack a lot of extra fluids during the round, there's only one spot to replenish on the course, a small turnstand after #10 (I think).  A soft cooler or a couple extra hydroflasks or yetis.

 

Yeah, I just completely overlooked the cart fee every time I was on the site. See it now.

 

2 hours ago, bird206 said:

Agree with "the ball would run"...plan on well struck shots going further than normal and possibly running off the fairway. Adjust distances accordingly.

 

Yes, it will be super hot during that time so stay very hydrated.

 

 

1 hour ago, kaschreiber said:

Carts have coolers with ice they load you up before teeing off as well. 

Thanks all for the heads up. I'm coming from Houston, so I'm definitely used to the heat and turf not being lush per se, but for whatever reason I was not expecting temps well into triple digits this far north. It's even going to be in the 90s when I'm in Seattle, something else I hadn't predicted.

[spud3]

The PNW is about to get a serious heatwave over the weekend and into next week.  Temps in the 90's in Seattle are rare, but triple digits on the east side of the Cascades in both WA and OR are common.

 

But it's a dry heat...........🥵

[kaschreiber]

Our course just put out a notice that carts won't be allowed on the course through Monday due to excessive heat and the damage it can bring. Accuweather forecasting 113 for Monday right now, we're about to shatter all sorts of records.

[sittonsideways]

37 minutes ago, kaschreiber said:

Our course just put out a notice that carts won't be allowed on the course through Monday due to excessive heat and the damage it can bring. Accuweather forecasting 113 for Monday right now, we're about to shatter all sorts of records.

 

1 hour ago, spud3 said:

The PNW is about to get a serious heatwave over the weekend and into next week.  Temps in the 90's in Seattle are rare, but triple digits on the east side of the Cascades in both WA and OR are common.

 

But it's a dry heat...........🥵

Glad I wasn’t out of line thinking this was serious heat lol.