Sunriver has long been known as a community based around the love of outdoor recreation. Generations of visitors and locals alike have enjoyed the various destination resorts in Central Oregon, but Sunriver is a tried-and-true destination known for its biking, skiing, floating and family-friendly entertainment options. When it comes to golf, the story stays the same. Sunriver is a premiere destination for golfers of all skill levels with courses that make use of the beautiful and unique natural environment surrounding the town.
Woodlands Golf Course
The first course on our list that is in Sunriver Resort, the Woodlands Golf Course, was designed by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course features dense forests of ponderosa and lodgepole pine, outcroppings of lava rock and plenty of water features. Visitors have remarked about the natural beauty this course offers. Golfers hoping to try out this course must either be a resort member or purchase a golf pass.
Meadows Golf Course
The second Sunriver Resort Course on this list is Meadows Golf Course. The most recent creation by course architect John Fought, this course features more variety than other 18-hole courses, with seven holes bordering the river. Based around popular course designs from the 1920s and 1930s, this course has seen national acclaim and even held the NCAA Men’s Division I championship tournament. Any golfer looking to experience the big leagues should try out this course. Like with Woodlands, Meadows Golf Course requires either a membership or a golf pass to Sunriver Resort.
Crosswater Golf Club
Another course designed by an award-winning architect (Bob Cupp), the golf course at Crosswater, which is ranked #61 on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s greatest public courses”exists in a landscape that must be seen to be believed. The forest of ponderosa pines break to a meadow with multiple streams running through; golfers will spend their time in this 600-acre-meadow wondering how they got so lucky. The design is traditional heathland style, and the golf course features five tee placements for each hole as well as bent grass fairways and greens. Tee times are reserved for resort members and guests of members.
Caldera Links Golf Course
A smaller, family-friendly 9-hole golf course, Caldera Links is another course run in part by Sunriver Resort. However, this course is not just reserved for Sunriver Resort members, but also members of the Crosswater Golf Club and any Caldera Springs homeowners. Defined as a private club that leans towards locals, Caldera Links was designed by Bob Cupp and Sunriver local Jim Ramey as a spot for locals to golf. The course features holes that range from 60 to 185 yards in length, making it the perfect course to hone your skills or introduce kids to the game.
Gray’s Trail Putting Course
Located behind The Lodge at Sunriver Resort, Gray’s Trail is an 18-hole putting course, named after Sunriver visionary John Gray. This trail features a bentgrass surface and a course with 18 individual holes which can be reimagined into new configurations anytime. The course is open to resort members, passholders and guests, as well as the public on a first-come, first-served basis after registering to play in the Meadows golf shop.
While you’re here, don’t forget to try out some of the top restaurants in Sunriver. From Italian fine dining to casual brewery fare with an emphasis on utilizing seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches, the Sunriver restaurant scene has something for everyone.
Don’t forget to round out that vacation by checking out some other Central Oregon golf courses. If you’re having some trouble deciding where to head to first, check out the Central Oregon Golf Trail for a list of other courses throughout the region.
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Top 8 Things to Do in Sunriver in Summer
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Adventures Abound Starting at Sunriver Resort
Sunriver is the type of place that takes your breath away no matter what season it is. During the summer you can hop on a horse for your very own wild wild west experience. The team at Sunriver Stables will make you feel comfortable on your ride, even if you’ve never saddled up before. Whether you’re in a tube or a kayak, floating down the Deschutes River is a relaxing activity that’s fun for the whole family.
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Casual Family Weekend in Sunriver
Imagine this: you’re riding your bike through a rolling meadow, the Cascade mountain range in the background, and the only sound is from the whir of a prop plane taking off against a crisp blue sky. Up ahead, your children pull carrots from their pockets and present them to a gathering of friendly horses in an adjacent pasture.