Corona Premier Property

Since 1966, Oakbrook Golf Club has been an ever-changing and inviting place to play in Lakewood

A four-time Washington Open champ takes us on a tour

Significant changes in the operation of Oakbrook Golf Club in Lakewood over the past decade have had a profound impact on the success it now enjoys.

The biggest change came in 2012 when Shawn Cucciardi and Michael Moore, father of PGA Tour professional Ryan Moore, purchased the course and changed the business model from private club to semi-private. That gave the public the opportunity to play the course which had been open only to members and guests since opening in 1966 while a new roster of members was established.

“We offered them reduced green fees,” says Todd Erwin, Director of Golf Programming. “Members would pay $200 per month, which meant an average green fee of $12-$13 if they played 15 rounds a month. That proved pretty popular and is the number one reason for the club’s success.”

Membership increased as did the amount of overall play, allowing the new ownership group to make improvements to enhance the property. Even before the ownership change, the course had benefitted from a tree removal program that enabled more sunlight to reach the turf. That meant drier, healthier grass.

“It allowed the course to dry out quickly during the winter,” says Erwin, who occasionally authorizes carts even after a winter storm. “It’s phenomenal and the second reason the course is flourishing.”

These changes, combined with the ‘pandemic boom’ that so many courses experienced after the lessening of COVID restrictions, allowed Oakbrook to fill its tee sheets.

Erwin, the four-time Washington Open champion and former University of Puget Sound golf coach, has been at Oakbrook for two years. Here’s his capsule view of his workplace.

A Bucket with Director of Golf • Todd Erwin

Toughest Tee Shot 14th hole

I think you’ll get a different answer depending on who you talk to, but I believe the toughest is probably the 505-yard 14th. It’s a very, very narrow tee shot, and one side doesn’t favor the other. There’s out-of-bounds both right and left. Someone who hits it straight might say it’s not that hard, but it is for me.

Best Birdie Opportunity 1st hole

Again, from my perspective, I’d say the 504-yard opening hole. It’s an open tee shot, and there’s plenty of space for the second shot too. It doesn’t present too much danger, other than being the first hole of the day. Most of our avid players would say No. 1 is ‘gettable’.

Best Par 3 13th hole

No. 13 (198 yards). It’s our signature hole with an elevated tee looking down to a green guarded by a water hazard in the front. It’s definitely the most difficult par 3 and the most scenic. Not super-friendly.

Favorite Hole 12th hole

My favorite isn’t necessarily the hole I score best on. I’d probably say No. 12 (par 4, 442 yards). It’s the No. 2 handicap hole and, for me, is designed to be played a certain way. You can lay up to the corner and have a longer second shot in. Or you could try to cut around it but, boy, that’s a huge gamble. It’s just a really, really good par 4 (par 5 for women). It plays anywhere from 400 to 440 yards on any day.

Emergency Nine — front or back?

Front nine. It’s more scorable. In my opinion, it’s probably a shot and a half easier than the back. There are more birdie opportunities. There are two par 5s on the front and only one on the back. That immediately changes things, in my mind.

Go To Lunch Item On The Menu

The mushroom soup is very well-known. It’s phenomenal. If I was not watching my waistline, which I always seem to be doing, I’d also have his (Chef Bill Trudnowski at the Adriatic Grill) rigatoni. That’s great too. Not often do you go to a golf facility and eat the kind of food that he makes.

Oakbrook Golf Club

8102 Zircon Dr. SW • Lakewood, WA 98498

(253) 584-8770• oakbrookgolfclub.com

Built in 1969