Gearhart Golf Links Keeps Getting Better

For people living in or visiting the Portland, Oregon area, the beach is always a great place to run for a day of relaxation. The most popular - and easiest beach to get to - is the North Oregon Coast with towns like Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart and Astoria. The problem is, there aren’t many great golf courses to choose from.

Thank goodness for Gearhart Golf Links, the oldest course west of the Mississippi River.

According to legend, a group of Scotsmen living in the area felt the dunes reminded them of their homeland and, in 1888, built a three hole course that became popular with guests of the Hotel Gearhart. It was a treeless, windblown combination of dunes and meadow that looked like courses dotting the Scottish coastlines. Over time, the course was expanded to 18 holes and and underwent a variety of changes.

Much of the routing has remained the same, with some greens rebuilt and bunkers added or removed at different times. Following the Great Depression, a work relief program employed workers to plant trees throughout the course. The problem, it turned out, was that the plantings were mostly Surf Pines with a 50- 60 year lifespan.

Fast-forward to the turn of the century and most of the trees were dead or dying. In 2013, Gearhart hired consultant John Strawn to help remove the dead trees and return the course to its former links glory. Since then, Strawn has continued to help ‘polish the gem’ with a new set of tees and more.

As with any links course, Gearhart has several long, straight holes that run through the dunes. Those same dunes, though, provide excellent mounding to protect greens and hide bunkers on the course’s shorter holes. An excellent example comes on the 14th hole, an average length par four. From an elevated tee, players need to land their ball between steep dunes on either side of the fairway. The second shot, though, is played to a slightly elevated green that’s protected by a tall dune short left. Visually interesting and challenging, the 14th is a great golf hole.

Following the latest round of improvements, the most talked about hole at Gearhart is the 18th, a par five that plays anywhere from 483 yards (forward tees) to 640 yards (the tips). With out of bounds down the entire left side, mounds down the right, and a small elevated green, Gearhart’s finishing hole is a beast. In fact, players are encouraged to put a dollar in the “piggybank” in the proshop before their round: get a birdie on 18 and you’ll get the money in the pig. Good luck!

A group of Scotsmen living in the area felt the dunes reminded them of their homeland.

Gearhart hosts a variety of tournaments throughout the year

Don’t forget to feed the pig

The Clam Bed is a special golf oasis

The owners at Gearhart wanted guests to have a resort experience when they stay and play.

Big changes started in 2010 when Tim Boyle - of Columbia Sportswear fame - purchased the golf course and clubhouse. Already a grand building, the clubhouse has been transformed into the McMenamins Gearhart Hotel, one of the chain’s most iconic properties.

A new building - The Annex - was designed as a miniature version of the hotel with cart storage on the ground floor, a workout facility and indoor golf simulator (for fun or lessons), and 18 more hotel rooms. The entire facility has a fresh feel when guests arrive.

“What we realized was that, outside of the golf course, there just wasn’t a lot for guests to do at Gearhart,” said Director of Golf Jason Bangild. “We want to make this a resort with activities in addition to the course for families.”

Gearhart was missing a place for guests to mingle outside the hotel and enjoy a beverage when they were done playing. Two additions - the Fore Deck and Clam Bed - aim to fill that void. The Fore Deck, behind the hotel, is an elaborate patio complete with fire pits overlooking the 1st and 10th tee boxes. The Clam Bed, though, is a real treat surrounded by dunes, tucked between the 1st green and 9th tee box. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a snack or beverage, and try putting on the large, undulating practice green. It’s fun for guests of all ages.

For more information on playing Gearhart and staying at the hotel,visit GearhartGolfLinks.com.

Drinks in the pot bunker bar

Hickory shafts are a given