3. Gleneagle

Early in the summer, when the main water pump at the club had faltered, Gleneagle was beginning to look very thirsty, most of the Poa Annua greens having already turned brown with the tees not far behind. We would never recommend driving from Seattle up to Arlington to play a course whose greens were brown, regardless of how low the green fee was. But once this little gem got the drink it so badly needed, it resumed its reputation as a hugely enjoyable, sporty little number that maxes out at under 6,000 yards yet still attracts almost 30,000 rounds a year. That’s really not surprising. Play the course just once and all thoughts of Gleneagle being the forgettable pitch-and-putt the scorecard suggests it might be totally disappear. You might very well be smitten, in fact. It may not be of championship length or terribly difficult for the low-handicapper but there are a number of very engaging holes and for those looking for a pleasant challenge without 250-yard forced carries and U.S. Open rough, Gleneagle is definitely worth checking out. Built in the late 1980s as a nine-holer, it became an 18-hole course in 1993 and was designed by Woodinville’s William Teufel, who also built Tam O’Shanter in Bellevue, Useless Bay on Whidbey Island and the excellent public course at Fort Lewis. It’s definitely a course worth playing, but it’s also worth calling in advance to make sure the greens will be … well, green.

Best Hole By far, the short par 5 11th, where long hitters might like to think about hitting a 3-wood or hybrid off the tee so as not to reach the deep, wide gully that bisects the fairway.

• Address: 7619 Country Club Drive, Arlington, WA 98223
• Yardage: par 70; 6,010 (green), 5,498 (blue), 4,828 (white), 4,318 (red)
• Rates: $18-$25
• Web: www.gleneaglegolfcourse.net
• Tel: (360) 435-6713

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Kahler Glen

There’s some great places to play for under 50 bucks, but not too many with a mountain address. We are so fortunate in the Northwest to have the Cascades as beautiful backdrop to look at when we play many of the region’s great tracks. But for less than $30 during the week and only $38 on weekends and holidays, you can play “in” the Cascades at Kahler Glen Golf and Ski Resort. Located in the beautiful Bavarian town of Leavenworth, Kahler Glen is only a two-hour drive from Seattle, a mere 75 minutes from Everett up Highway 2 on a good day and just a stone’s throw from Wenatchee. But if you are considering “saving some green” and playing Kahler Glen, see this as a great and extremely affordable stay-and-play destination for you and your friends to enjoy golf, fishing, hiking, wine tasting and a sampling of German culture and life. It’s a true getaway and will quickly make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Still young by most standards, Kahler Glen, opened in 1989, is much more grown up than one might think. With evergreens and thousands of old-growth trees surrounding you at every turn, the par-70 course is more pretty than it is a punisher. Highly regarded by those who frequent Kahler Glen, the Randy Pelton-design can stretch nearly 5,900 yards from the tips and boasts a slope rating of 118. The bluegrass fairways hold up and drain wonderfully as Kahler Glen sees major snowfall in the winter months and must stand up to Leavenworth’s hot, dry summers. The course also is a resort and offers amazing lodging and food packages. Additionally, Kahler Glen has eight stay-and-play hotel partners in the Leavenworth area should you decide not to stay at the resort.

Best Hole The toughest hole is the best at Kahler Glen. At 580 yards, the par 5 9th is quite a test and a great way to measure your round going into the back nine. A fair, yet tricky double dogleg will force you to hit three shots before you go for the stick.

• Address: 20700 Clubhouse Drive, Leavenworth, WA 98826
• Yardage: par 70; 5,893 (blue), 5,579 (white), 4,737 (red)
• Rates: $27-$38
• Web: www.kahlerglen.com
• Tel: (509) 763-4025

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