Three Great Golf Courses in and Around Portland, Oregon

Whether you are a beginner or a master, a pro or a duffer, an enthusiast or a hard core competitor, you know the importance (and fun) of playing a variety of golf courses in order to try your hand at all of those golf skills that you have been watching on the Golf Channel every weekend. If you live in the Portland area, you are lucky enough to have access to a wide variety of courses. From wide and open, to narrow with sand traps, to courses dominated by water hazard this area offers a good range for whatever level you are at. Here are three of my favorite courses.

Glendoveer boasts two eighteen hole golf courses to choose from. Established in 1927, the courses have mature trees, wide fairways, and hilly terrain . . . right in the middle of town. The facility is located at 14015 NE Glisan Street in Portland and is open to the public. Their website is www.golfglendoveer.com. On it, you can get tee times as well as plan your strategy by checking out the scorecard. The rates here are reasonable. Eighteen holes cost twenty-eight dollars on weekdays and thirty-three dollars on weekends (be sure to call ahead or check the website for the most up to date information). One problem (at least for me) is the public walking trails around the courses. I find myself yelling "four" (or "watch out", or "duck", or "sorry") quite often on this course.

Broadmoor Golf Club may not be the most difficult course you have ever played, but it is a good course to try out. There are some tricky water hazards, but the fairways are pretty forgiving on most of the holes. It does feature stunning view of the mountains. Broadmoor is located at 3509 NE Columbia Boulevard in Portland. General public prices range from twenty-eight to thirty-four dollars per person for eighteen holes. For pictures, rates, and more information check out the website at www.broadmoor-1931.com.

If you don't want to spend your day trudging up and down hills or splashing through water hazards, you should try the Gresham Golf Course. This well kept course provides a pretty straightforward game, with many long fairways to help you get your practice in. It is located at 2155 NE Division Street in Portland. Green fees range from forty-eight to fifty-one dollars, and the course is open to the public. For more information, exact fees, and tee times call the course at (503) 665-3352. You can also find more details at www.thegolfcourses.netgolfcourses/OR/8223.htm.

Whatever course you choose, get moving. The snow is finally gone and the rain is here. Grab your rain gear and go golfing!