Chewelah: A Place to Play, A Place to Stay

WITH SO MANY PEOPLE CROWDING THE BIG CITIES ON THE WEST COAST, SOME ARE LOOKING FOR A SMALLER PLACE TO LIVE. CHEWELAH, WASHINGTON IS ONE OF THOSE IDYLLIC PLACES.

CHEWELAH IS A PLACE TO PLAY

The Inland Empire - an area centered around Spokane, Washington that includes Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and a portion Western Montana - is home to a variety of great golf courses and resorts. No facility, however, is making a bigger name for itself than Chewelah Golf and Country Club.

Located 45 minutes north of Spokane, Chewelah got its start as a nine-hole course in 1976. Since then, 18 more holes have been added to the club, making it the Inland Empire’s only 27-hole course.

Golf Operations Manager Jason Pitt called Chewelah a great example of a classic Pacific Northwest golf courses. “We have an incredibly scenic golf course, with views of the surrounding mountains and the encircling woodlands. We’re always in great shape and our greens are fast and smooth.”

Unlike some of the nearby resort courses, Chewelah is in the heart of a residential neighborhood, with homes completed on roughly half the sites. The open lots, while picturesque, are no place you'd want to hit a golf ball.

“The fairways are narrow with OB on both sides and the greens - small to medium in size - have a surprising amount of undulation,” added Pitt. “It can be tough, but it’s a top five public golf course.”

The course is divided into two courses: a championship-caliber 18-hole course and a regulation 9-hole course. Playing amidst such scenic beauty, it can be hard to pick a favorite hole, but Pitt said his choice is an easy one.

“The ninth hole on our 18-hole course is amazing. From the tips, it’s a 486-yard par four that features a dramatic drop in elevation from tee to green. The view from the tee box is so stunning, it’s sometimes difficult to focus on the task at hand.”

Chewelah features six sets of tees, making it possible for golfers of all abilities to find a yardage they’ll be comfortable with and enjoy. Players also have access to an ample practice facility used for warming and improving their games.

CHEWELAH IS A PLACE TO STAY

Almost by default, Chewelah has become the heart of the surrounding community. In addition to the golf course, the club features a gorgeous clubhouse, restaurant and lounge, tennis courts, an RV park, and a 3,700-foot airstrip.

“We’re really the social center of Chewelah,” said Pitt. We have a phenomenal outdoor venue with 1,000 square feet of patio that looks out over the ninth green and the pond. We have couples that will drive in and fly in just to have dinner and cocktails.”

The atmosphere cultivated at Chewelah is a good one. Groups of golfers - representing both men’s and ladies clubs - gather on a regular basis. The club also hosts events for community groups, as well as its fair share of weddings.

To Pitt, the right atmosphere is essential to a club like Chewelah. “It’s important to me that all the neighbors and members get along. My staff and I work hard to break down the cliques that can form at a golf club and make sure new members can meet people to play with.”

Chewelah Crest home sites offer amazing views

Pitt added that the City of Chewelah recently completed its purchase of the club’s airstrip. Now dubbed Chewelah International Airport, the airstrip is the only place in Stevens County big enough for jets to take off and land.

Even with the change in ownership, golf carts are still on hand for flyers to take between their plane and the clubhouse.

Despite an amazing golf facility, it’s still the surrounding real estate that drives things. The club’s RV park - with 27 full hook ups and 10 dry camping sites - has been a unique entry point for new homeowners.

“The RV park is a real advantage for us,” said Pitt. “People can come stay and play and try out the community before buying a home or homesite. They fall in love with Chewelah and then they stay.”

Real estate around the course is divided into two areas: sites along the golf course, and the newer Chewelah Crest sites overlooking the golf course. The reasonably-priced lots are ready to be developed with water, power, gas, and phone services at the property lines. And, most homes and lots come with a membership to the club.

“Our area is rural, but still close to a bigger city that you’re not isolated,” said lifelong resident Steve Schalock. “People come here from all over because Chewelah is a friendly, safe place. It’s got a nice feel.”

Chewelah offers a slower pace of life

The town of Chewelah offers more than just golf, it offers a lifestyle for residents. The small-town feel of country living is reinforced by the acres of nature featuring four distinct seasons every year.

During the winter, top-notch skiing is available at 49 North Mountain Resort with groomed runs, powder runs, and acres of tree skiing. Water sports are available at nearby Lake Roosevelt, and smaller lakes scattered throughout the region provide anglers with trout and bass fishing.

Schalock added that the town wants to attract residents who want to golf and have access to outdoor activities, people he said are “looking for a way of life.”

Unlike typical resort towns, Chewelah is a place for families to thrive. The schools have been recognized for excellence in both academics and athletics. The town also has the modern medical facilities and assisted living options to make sure residents receive the same treatments available in a bigger city.

“We have residents who are retired, people who are still working remotely, and just had a pair of Washington State University professors choose to move to Chewelah,” added Schalock. “The variety says a lot about what our town has to offer.

Ask anyone associated with Chewelah Golf and Country Club Estates, or the town of Chewelah, and you’ll find total commitment to a way of life that’s been handed from generation to generation. It’s a place that families grow up in and then continue to live in.

Homes of all kinds are available around the golf course

For information about real estate in the Chewelah area, please contact Evan Schalock 509 954-3887 or Dave Pohto 509 936-1382.