Golf Destinations
Gamble Sands, Washington State By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012
G
amble Sands is a pure links course by David McLay-Kidd with hard & fast fairways and large tour-quality greens.
“You have got to play Gamble Sands. It’s one of the greatest courses I’ve played in years,” said a new subscriber. Gaining international fame with the design of the first links course at Bandon Dunes in 1999, David McLay-Kidd gained a reputation of building difficult golf courses. But Gamble Sands is an example of his new appreciation for designing great links courses that are challenging yet fun for all levels of golfers. Built by the Gebbers family, the owners of the largest cherry producer and the 2nd largest apple producer in the world, it opened in 2014. With sweeping views of the Columbia River, near the Grand Coulee Dam, Gamble Sands serves the serious golfer with a no-nonsense approach. A simple clubhouse disguises the upscale grill room and bar. The Inn at Gamble Sands offers thirty-eight 2-4 bedroom comfortable units. Here they believe the highest quality links golf experience embraces knowledgeable caddies as guides and sports psychologists. Ask for Bobby Zimny, “Z”, the unofficial ambassador and former caddie on five different professional tours for thirty years. These caddies elevate the Gamble Sands experience. With or without a caddie, it’s designed for walking, a nod to the links heritage. Golf Magazine ranks them the #2 public course in the state of Washington, behind Chambers Bay, site of the 2015 U.S. Open. They incorporate links-style fine fescue grass. Hard fairways allow shots to run along the ground making additional shot opportunities. Hire a caddie as target lines and distances are difficult for the firsttimer. There is no cart GPS. The hardy fescue allows carts anywhere except the greens. There are no built-up teeing areas. Tees can be anywhere in the closely mown fescue providing flexibility to set up the course. The architects’ favorite hole is No. 2, stretching 301 yards from the back tees and 261 yards from the middle tees. A low drive just left of the fairway bunker is likely to end up on the green or in a green-side bunker. The approach shot at the long Par 4 Hole #5 is illustrative of a common risk/reward dilemma – how much of a fairway bunker or barranca to cut off. All sand is natural. They moved minimal earth. Bunkers are enormous and lined with tall wispy fescue. All bunkers are waste bunkers, the primary defense of the course. The ideal tee shot direction may differ from expected. “When you get to Hole #6, hit it thirty yards right,” said Booby “Z”. Sure enough, our tee shot caromed off the slope and finished fifteen feet from the hole. The center of the large greens is not always a precursor to a two-putt as the undulations, and otherwise subtle breaks can befuddle the best putter.
A simple clubhouse, with expansive views of the Cascades and the Columbia River Valley
Hard and fast fescue fairways with multiple target lines depending on golfer skill, large waste bunkers key target areas, undulating greens with multiple approach options, wide open holes exposed to the elements, and tall wispy grass/bushes off-the-path combine for a true links experience at this top-rated course. It’s a terrific golf destination experience.
Gamble Sands - Drivable par 4 Hole two
If You Go: Course Info Gamble Sands (www. gamblesands.com) is an eighteen-hole links course by the renowned Scottish architect David McLay-Kidd. Fees - Peak greens fees are $140-170 while seasonal rates are as low as $75. Tour-level caddies are encouraged at $100/bag. Yardages - Five sets of tees from 4797 to 7305 yards (74.8/129) Clubhouse - A simple clubhouse with an upscale grill room and bar. Location - Columbia River Valley in Brewster, Washington. Four hours east of Seattle airport, two hours west of Spokane airport, and one hour west of Grand Coulee Dam. Lodging - The Inn at Gamble Sands comprises thirty eight 2-4 bedroom units. The nearest town is Chelan, forty-five minutes southwest toward Seattle
Quintessential Golf (https://www.quintessentialgolf.com) A source of golf travel inspiration, Quintessential Golf online magazine spotlights the most spectacular, enduring and scenic courses, resorts and golf adventures. Written from a player’s point-of-view, articles include magnificent high-resolution course images. Brought to you by Chuck Fox, singledigit golfer, writer and photographer based in Danville, California, he is fulfilling his passion and dream to play, photograph and share the romance and beauty of golf throughout North America. Mammouth Bunkers with Steps
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