We all have our own way of heralding the arrival of spring. For some, it means swapping the cross-country skis for mountain bike pads and helmet. For others, spring is a time to get reacquainted with our garden and plan for the seasons ahead. But for others, this is the time of year to dust off those golf clubs and hit the links.
And in Central Oregon, one of the region’s top courses can be found at Tetherow Resort in Bend—home to a par-72 course designed by world-renowned architect David McLay-Kidd. The 18-hole championship course includes several thoughtful nods to Central Oregon’s natural wonder, awe-inspiring views of the Cascade Range, and creative holes that engage golfers of all skill levels. (Is it any wonder Tetherow has repeatedly been named a Top 100 course in the United States by no less an authority than Golf Digest?) Public tee times are available daily, and lodging guests enjoy special rates on the course—so there’s never a bad time to play.
But that’s not all: Even away from the links, golfers can tweak their game with a knowledgeable professional, hone their skills at the Tetherow Golf Academy, and even grab a variety of gear from an on-site golf shop.
So as you make plans to hit the links, here’s everything you need to know about golfing this spring at Tetherow Resort.
The Tetherow Golf Course Design is One-of-a-Kind
Architect David McLay-Kidd designed the 18-hole, links-style course at Tetherow—and, in doing so, brought to life a course unlike anywhere else in the country. Cascade views are tremendous from almost every hole; Black Butte, the Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor, Broken Top, and—on a clear day—Mount Hood can all be seen from the course (which measures six miles when walking).
Not just that, but the course incorporates nature into its design in several innovative ways.
In the early 1990s, for instance, a wildfire swept through the land where Tetherow Resort stands today; instead of leveling the natural features that survived, McLay-Kidd designed the course around those elements to showcase the region’s resilience and better connect golfers with Central Oregon’s landscapes. So if you see trees on fairways, that represents a long-lasting bond with the area.
Shrubbery throughout the course, meanwhile, comprises a variety of native plants—such as manzanita, rabbitbrush, bunchgrass, and ponderosa pine trees; even the course’s grass was chosen specifically because it thrives in Central Oregon’s high-desert climate—which means less water usage . And all that bunker sand? That was shipped in from the Oregon Coast in another nod to regional beauty.
Both on the course and around the resort, you’ll see Tetherow’s sustainable practices on display in a variety of creative ways. The resort, for instance, boasts “living roofs”, made up of native vegetation, on the Golf Academy, snack shack, and comfort station buildings; it uses sustainable landscaping products and applies as few pesticides as possible; and Tetherow is even an Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary (the first golf course in Oregon to earn such a designation)—a reflection of Tetherow’s commitment to environmentally friendly policies and practices.
You Have Plenty of Options for Golfing at Tetherow
Sure, 18 holes sounds fun—when doesn’t it?—but what if you’d rather take time to tweak your swing or improve your putting game? Tetherow offers plenty of options for doing just that.
For starters, golfers can team up with former tour players and PGA professionals for supervised, guided packages that include a nine-hole lesson, a nine-hole round of golf, a discount to the Tetherow golf shop, and more.
The Fit To Hit package, meanwhile, uses the latest precision software (which makes good use of high-end cameras and radar technology) to analyze your swing and find the best-fitting clubs for your stature and skill level; the package includes in-depth analysis, discounts on new clubs, unlimited use of the Tetherow practice facility, and more.
And if you’re staying at Tetherow, take advantage of the Stay & Practice package—which includes personal coaching from the resort’s golf professionals, one-hour lessons each day of your stay, unlimited use of the practice facility, discounts on merchandise in the resort’s golf shop, and more.
Tetherow Makes Golfing Fun
It’s hard not to have fun while enjoying a round on a sunny spring afternoon, but Tetherow goes the extra mile in a few unique ways—specifically through GolfBoards and Finn Scooter rentals for getting around the course.
GolfBoards are one-person, scooter-like vehicles you can “surf” around the course with—adding an element of fun to the round while reducing wear and tear on the course. The innovative boards were developed in part by world-famous surfer Laird Hamilton, whose plant-based culinary company, Laird Superfood, is based in Sisters. (Fun fact: Tetherow was the first golf course in the United States to offer GolfBoard rentals when they debuted several years ago.)
Golfers can also rent from a fleet of 30 Finn Scooters, which are single-rider electric carts with a low center of gravity; Tetherow boasts the largest such fleet on the West Coast. The sleek scooters are extremely safe and allow more adventurous golfers to get around the course faster—all while minimizing damage to fairways and greens.
And if you’d rather enjoy an old-school experience, good news: You can still rent classic golf carts, as well. In fact, those carts come equipped with touch screens that allow you to digitally order food and drinks straight from the course; just place your order, and pick it up from Tetherow’s snack shack between holes nine and 10.
Your Golf Game Doesn’t End After the 18th Hole
Tetherow believes a good day of golf doesn’t begin or end with a round of 18; instead, it can expand to include a trip to one of the best-stocked golf shops in Central Oregon—or some time at the state-of-the-art Tetherow Golf Academy.
If you need to replace or upgrade some gear after your game, the resort’s golf shop has everything you need for an enjoyable day on the links. The fully stocked shop carries apparel, equipment, mementos, and other good-to-have items—such as windbreakers, sun block, and additional tees.
The resort’s Tetherow Golf Academy training facility, meanwhile, hosts plenty of opportunities if you’re looking to brush up your game. A pair of hitting bays overlooking the driving range (complete with overhead heaters for those cool Central Oregon mornings), and staff members are happy to provide lessons for golfers of all abilities through club fittings, video review, on-site lessons, and more.
Of course, no round is complete until you’ve relaxed with some après-golf food and refreshments; Tetherow hosts three on-site eateries—including a family-friendly pub, a modern restaurant dishing inventive Pacific Northwest fare, and a café serving excellent quick-service fare.
So whether you’re looking to shake off the rust or enjoy a golf vacation, you’ll find plenty to love around Tetherow Resort this spring—on and off the course.
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