Gamble Sands

Gamble Sands Brewster, WA

Overlooking the Columbia River, in the high desert of North Central Washington, Gamble Sands is blessed with one of the most dramatic settings for true links golf in the world. In fact, golf course designer, David McLay Kidd described the property as the stuff that designers dream of.

The centerpiece of the course is currently the Sands Course. The course owners, the Gebbers family, chose Kidd as their designer because of his success with similar projects. The Scotsman came with a prestigious list of accomplishments in the world of links golf that included the famed Bandon Dunes, The Castle Course in St. Andrews and Tetherow.

"This is the once in a lifetime site every golf designer dreams of, rolling sand dunes overlooking a large body of water, a developer willing to build golf just for the love of the game,” said Kidd. “No homes, no other development around, just golf on sand, golf as it was truly meant to be.”

The Sands course is a true links course with sandy soil, traditional fine fescue grasses, firm playing surfaces, wide fairways and massive greens.

The Sands course offers a very playable experience that weighs in at 7,169 yards from the back tees and plays to a par 72. It’s similar to some of Kidd’s earlier work at Bandon with an emphasis on having fun.

The Best Shot

Gamble Sands - Hole 2

From the clubhouse, Gamble Sands looks like it's surrounded by nothing but high desert scrub and sand. Once you get to the second tee box, though, you get a great look at the mighty Columbia River working its way below the course. This hole is a great risk-reward because the green is reachable but bunkers guard it in front, and on both sides.

Gamble Sands currently features one championship golf course and a pro shop full of unique gear. Plans for the future, however, include a hotel and second golf course that will give guests a better chance to make a long trip out of their time in Brewster, Washington.