Why You Should Consider Bend, Oregon for Your Next Golf Trip

The emergence of Bandon Dunes has overshadowed much of the Oregon golf scene. Often overlooked are the top tier courses in and around the city of Bend, OR. If you’re looking for courses in the state other than Bandon, look no further than Pronghorn Resort and Tetherow Resort. 

The Pronghorn resort boasts two stunning golf courses, the Nicklaus Course and the Fazio Course, both of which offer a challenging and rewarding golf experience. Let’s dive into each:

• The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course was designed by the Golden Bear himself and offers a challenging yet enjoyable round of golf. The course is situated on 250 acres of high desert terrain, featuring lava rock outcroppings and stunning mountain views. The course is renowned for its impeccable conditioning, strategic bunkering, and challenging greens. Each hole offers a unique experience and the course's layout is designed to offer a variety of challenges for players of all skill levels. With water hazards, well-placed bunkers, and plenty of native vegetation, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is a true test of golfing ability.
• The Tom Fazio Championship Course, on the other hand, is a bit more forgiving and offers a more traditional round of golf. The course is set on 350 acres of high desert terrain, with pine trees lining the fairways and expansive views of the Cascade Mountains. The course's layout is designed to be both strategic and enjoyable, with generous fairways and greens that are designed to be approachable for golfers of all skill levels. The course is known for its unique bunkering, which incorporates natural landforms and native vegetation, giving it a distinct Oregon feel. The Fazio course is considered private, however a certain amount of resort guests are allowed to play each day. When making a reservation, be sure to express your desire to play the Fazio track.

The Tetherow resort also offers a top-notch course:

• Tetherow is designed to blend seamlessly with the natural terrain and features stunning views of the Cascade Mountains. It was designed by David McLay Kidd, who is known for his work on the highly acclaimed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The course repeatedly is ranked in the top 100 by Golf Digest.

If you’re in the area and want to discover other awesome courses, notable mentions are Crosswater and Widgi Creek.

When it comes to accommodations, the resorts offer a range of options to suit any preference. The Juniper Lodge at Pronghorn offers a variety of rooms and suites. There are also a number of vacation homes available for rent with three- and four-bedroom options at both resorts. These luxurious vacation homes offer grills, firepits, and much more. 

Each resort also has on-site dining options. Pronghorn boasts Cascada, serving up delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine, and the Coyote Cabin offering comfort food in a cozy setting. If at Tetherow be sure to check out Solomon’s with seasonal fresh ingredients.

For those looking to explore the area, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in and around Bend. Whether it's hiking, mountain biking, or simply taking in the beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had. And with a variety of restaurants and breweries to visit, Bend is a great destination for food and drink enthusiasts as well.

When it comes to weather, Bend experiences all four seasons, with warm summers and cold winters. Golf is playable from April to October, but for those looking to enjoy winter activities, there is plenty of skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing to be had in the nearby mountains.

Bend is mostly accessible through Portland where guests will drive 3 hours passing the beautiful Mt. Hood region. There are many sights to see along this drive, so view this drive as part of the central Oregon experience. If traveling from the west coast, you may be able to find a regional flight that goes into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) which is the nearest full-service airport to Bend.

All in all, if you and your group are looking for an awesome excursion that isn’t quite Band Dunes, look no further than central Oregon and the many great courses the Bend area has to offer.