Source: The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.)
The golf boom is done. It is no longer an if-you-build-it-they-will-come mentality when it comes to golf courses, especially in Southwest Washington.
No new courses have opened in the region in the past few years, but perhaps that is because the courses in this region already provide plenty of opportunities for golfers of all skill levels.
And, shhhhhhh, many of this region's courses are unknown by golfers south of the state border.
"A lot of times, the people on the other side of the river can be creatures of habit. They like where they play, and they haven't come across the river," said Kevin Coombs, general manager of Green Mountain Golf Course in Camas and Beacon Rock Golf Course in North Bonneville
This is a good thing for Southwest Washington golfers. Yes, come summertime, all courses are busy, especially on weekends. However, this region's courses remain playable. Rarely are there six-hour rounds of frustration with three groups waiting on each tee.
"If you choose to stay at home, there is still plenty of availability," Coombs said, speaking to Southwest Washington golfers. "You don't have to fight people to get starting times in Portland, and you can still play a round within a reasonable time."
There are a few exceptions, such as when public courses hold tournaments, but for the most part, golfers are not turned away because a course is too crowded.
"Saturday and Sunday mornings until 11, everybody's going to be busy," Coombs said. "If you can go out later in the afternoon, we can find room for you and your group."
Some weekdays, even in the middle of the summer, there are times when golfers can just about have the whole course to themselves.
In all, there are 14 public courses in the extended region, ranging from par-3, to executive courses and par-72, 18-hole designs. There are three private courses in the region, as well: Royal Oaks and Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, and Orchard Hills in Washougal.
As far as public courses go, Tri-Mountain in Ridgefield, along with Green Mountain and Camas Meadows, were built during the 1990s. Coombs said he doesn't expect any new courses to be in the works for some time. And, with the availability in tee times for Southwest Washington, there really isn't a demand for new courses.