Golfing in Bend: A growing haven in Central Oregon

With just more than 75,000 locals, Bend isn’t Oregon’s largest city, but it stands tall in the golf community, thanks to some stellar resorts, as well as impeccable golf.

Located along the Deschutes River in Central Oregon, Bend is a mecca for people that enjoy the outdoors, with hiking, camping, rock climbing and white-water rafting also popular when not glued to the links. It’s no wonder if was ranked one of the “10 Best Places to Live Now” by Men’s Journal.

With Bandon Dunes garnering a lot of attention when it comes to Oregon golf, Bend features some incredible golf properties with the likes of Sunriver Resort, Pronghorn, Tetherow and Brasada Canyons, just to name a few.

Here are some tips on visiting Bend and these outstanding golf stops:

Sunriver Resort

From Bob Cupp to John Fought to Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the Sunriver Resort has been touched by some of the finest golf course architects in the business.

And their respective marks provide golfers and resort guests with four unique experiences, highlighted by three 18-hole tracks and one 9-hole course that will test golfers of all skill levels.

Most well-known is the Crosswater course, with the heathland-style golf featuring mountain vistas and natural wetlands that will simply take your breath away. You’ll need to be accurate off the tee, as the tree-lined fairways can definitely jump out and grab a ball or two.

Robert Trent Jones, Jr., definitely made a name for himself in Central Oregon with his work on the Woodlands course, which features Ponderosa and Lodgepole Pines, as well as lava rock and plenty of water hazards to navigate.

The Sun River comes into play at the Meadows course, with John Fought designing seven holes that run parallel to the river, giving you the sense of playing the world’s best game while surrounded by the serenity of Central Oregon.

Finally, if you’re looking for a quick round at the start or end of your day, Bob Cupp’s Caldera Links is a 9-hole option that features holes from 60 to 185 yards providing you with a great variety making this short course stand out.

Sunriver Resort has plenty of incredible resort rooms available to guests, or you can work through the resort to score a vacation rental that could be perfect for a sizable buddy trip.

Pronghorn

What do you get when two of the world’s marquee designers, with one being arguably the best player in the history of the game, converge on a property? Two incredible courses that showcase both muscle and mind.

Pronghorn embodies the outdoors feel of Bend, with luxury homes throughout the community, while the golf and recreation are next-level.

It’s no wonder that Jack Nicklaus was willing to put his design stamp on his namesake course at Pronghorn, with the Nicklaus Course plenty fast and firm, testing your mettle from the back tees, but also aiding those still working on their game. The lava rock ridges are worthy of a moment or two to share on your favorite social media feed, while the Cascade Mountains are in your view throughout the round.

Pronghorn is fortunate to have two championship courses on campus with the second being the Fazio Course — yes, the handiwork of the one-and-only Tom Fazio — is a 7,462-yard test, including the par-3 8th hole that features a 45-foot canyon and exposed lava tube. The par-72 course does reward strategic play off the tee, while the greens can be had when taken at the right angles.

With the new Huntington Lodge on the premises and with exceptional vacation rentals available as well, Pronghorn can serve as the perfect location for your ideal Oregon getaway.

Tetherow

A Scottish links-style course amid the high desert feel with views of the Cascade Mountains? Yep, Tetherow is breaking the mold with this layout.

The brainchild of David McLay Kidd, the genius that designed Bandon Dunes, Tetherow utilizes fine fescue and Colonial Bentgrass to create fast-and-firm playing conditions that leave a lasting impression on visiting golfers.

The course has impressed the golf community, recently named a Top 10 course in Oregon by Golf Digest.

The semi-private course can be used by resort guests, with Tetherow being the only Bend-area resort to border the forest, while also still being located within 10 minutes of downtown.

The resort offers both immaculate resort rooms, as well as vacation rentals that are ideal for larger gatherings.

Brasada Canyons

As a resort that puts an emphasis on the outdoors — from music festivals to stargazing nights — the golf course is its claim to fame.

Brasada Canyons plays as long as 7,295 yards, although it can also be shortened to just more than 4,700 yards by utilizing one of the five sets of tees.

On this track, no two holes run parallel, while only members and resort guests can actually tee it up, giving both sets an exclusive feel to their rounds.

If you’re just looking to get some practice in, Brasada Canyons has a facility that can be had for just $20 — if you’re a resort guest.

If you’re looking to stay here, the resort offers both cabins and suites, with the Travel Caddie loving the Sage Canyon cabins, while the Ranch House featuring a solution for visitors of all kinds.

Recommendation

Bend is the perfect spot for a spring or summer getaway, with temperatures fairly moderate and the outdoors allowing you to create an on- and off-the-course experience that will create lifetime memories. Depending on the deal you’re looking to score, Bend is small enough where staying at one resort while also being able to enjoy the spoils of another is commonplace. You truly can’t go wrong with any of these spots, with a week’s worth of golf easily had in a place where you can disappear from the world and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.