Lake Chelan is a perfect golf destination for those who want to sip and savor central Washington
Bob Sherwin • CG Staff Writer
During the hot summer months (you remember them), there are few places Washingtonians would rather be than in or near Lake Chelan. The narrow, 50-mile-long body of water which sits at 1,100 feet above sea level in the center of the state is a great spot for fishing, (with several species of trout calling the lake home), wine-tasting and numerous other adventures.
What Lake Tahoe is to California, Lake Chelan has been to Washington for generations. It’s been the play spot for sunseekers yearning for high desert warmth and lake life at all budget levels.
Our main concern, of course, is golf and those who head east from Seattle with their clubs in amongst their fishing gear and vineyard map — or rather their fishing gear and vineyard map in amongst their golf clubs — will find plenty of excellent places to play near the lake, some of them ranked among the very best public courses in the state, which you can read about in this issue (see page 40).
One course that might not have polled the most votes (the competition up here is pretty stiff) but ticks the three municipal golf course must-have boxes — welcoming, affordable and fun-to-play every time you visit — is the City of Chelan-owned Lake Chelan Golf Course, a couple of miles north of the city center, with beautiful views over Spaders Bay and the eastern reaches of the lake.
The course first opened in 1964 and stretches to 6,459 yards from the back tees. The front is the longer and tougher of the two nines, so hopefully you’re warmed up and are ready to make some birdies on the back which includes five relatively short par 4s and a couple of par 5s under 500 yards. This isn’t arduous, relentless championship golf but entertaining, sporty vacation golf where you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Highlander Golf Course, opened in 2002 and about 50 minutes south on Highways 150, 97, 2 and 28, offers much the same type of golf as Lake Chelan but comes with a touch more pedigree. Situated 800 feet above the Columbia River, a short drive south and east of Wenatchee, Highlander was designed by John Steidel (Apple Tree, Canyon Lakes and Riverbend). Steidel’s efforts came to life by Jim Haley who built and shaped the course. Haley is one of the game’s most respected construction experts who worked with Pete Dye before spending 11 years with Rees Jones and then joining David McLay-Kidd to build the original course at Bandon Dunes and other nationally ranked courses like Nanea in Hawaii and TPC Stonebrae near San Francisco.
Highlander saw some changes in 2011 when the last two holes were rebuilt, and four others altered to accommodate a new real estate development. Views from the course are pretty special and might even surpass those at Lake Chelan GC. The course tips out at just 5,899 yards — enough to be a genuine challenge for most vacationing golfers, but not so many you can’t relax for a moment and enjoy the incredible panoramas while you punch out a few pars.
On your way back to Chelan, be sure to stop off at one of the many fruit stands and orchards along Highway 2 where you can pick up a few boxes of the finest-tasting cherries you ever had, plus as many apples, peaches, apricots and plums as will fit in your car.
The following day, after a breakfast of coffee, toast and some of that delicious fruit, head back out on Highways 150 and 2. After about 20 minutes, turn left off the highway and on to Brays Landing Rd. N.W. which will take you to one of our fan favorite courses (ranked 11th in fact) — Desert Canyon. If you’re looking for a little sterner challenge than you had at Lake Chelan and Highlander you’ve come to the right place because this exquisite Jack Frei design which opened in 1993 can play well over 7,200 yards.
Those that want to maintain the holiday vibe though and take in the terrific views of the river and mountains just need to play from a friendlier set of tees — try the Blues (6,766 yards), Whites (6,144 yards) or the Blue/White combo which, at 6,418 yards, should be plenty of golf without being totally overwhelming.
If you go for four straight days of golf, your next round comes just seven miles west of Chelan and south of the lake this time. Bear Mountain Ranch is another of your top 20 courses (16th) and a spot at which you could take enough photos to fill an SD card. And, for those vacationers that are looking to stay close to the city of Chelan and play golf within stone’s throw of the lake, Bear Mountain and Lake Chelan GC are a perfect pair to do just that.
The vistas from some of the front nine holes will drop the jaw, widen the eyes and quicken the pulse. And, though the sensory overload might come down a notch on the back, the golf holes still provide enough drama for you to make some memories.
Bear Mountain Ranch is owned by the same group as Desert Canyon, and the two scorecards are very much alike. Bear Mountain Ranch also extends to over 7,200 yards for the big boys, but Blue, White and Blue/White tees offer a gentler game. Some other facets that make Bear Mountain unique are 10-foot pins. Because this course has some rollercoaster elevation changes and raised greens as the layout is set atop a mountainous terrain, the extra tall flags allow you to take aim. They are not just pins but markers for your climb. And it’s a real confidence booster to hit Bear Mountain’s greens in regulation — trust the distance, flags, wind and intuition. And your scope if you bring one — I would.
The first seven holes are downhill as you wind your way outward. The inward nine features some great rises and falls and many of the greens are elevated, so bring sharp grooves. Low ball hitters are not as rewarded as those with no fear to play the ball airborne.
To a person, everyone I’ve ever spoken to that played this place loved the experience and felt a ‘woosh’ — it’s a great Chelan links jewel.
By now, you might need a day off and are eager to check out what else the area has to offer. Perhaps some frolicking about on the lake or a visit to one of three excellent wineries you’ll probably have seen signs for on your way to and from Bear Mountain Ranch is in order. Karma Vineyards, Nefarious Cellars and the multi award-winning Tsillan Cellars, which was voted Winery of the Year in 2020 will hit the spot. I’m missing several but depending on how much time you have, not to mention how much you’ve already sampled, you may want to visit a few more of the 30 highly-acclaimed wineries within the Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA). Some leaders are Benson, Amos Rome, Vin du Lac, Mellisoni, Lagrioth, Rio Vista, Siren Song and Succession.
Before leaving for home, you have one more round to play. And, though you’ve already played a lot of really good golf, you’ve actually saved the best for last. If you’re up for it, try 18 at the wonderful Alta Lake Golf Course before finishing your trip at the incredible Gamble Sands. We’ve written quite enough about David McLay-Kidd’s Brewster masterpiece, 35 minutes northwest of Chelan since it opened in 2014.
Suffice to say only a U.S. Open venue (Chambers Bay) could keep it off the top spot in our Washington public course rankings.
After a few nights at Campbell’s Resort, Lakeside Lodge and Suites, The Landing or any of the area’s dozens of other lodging options, maybe it’s time for a night at the Inn at Gamble Sands before bidding farewell to central Washington and a trip you’ll likely not forget.
These are a few Chelan hit parade hot spots, but you can chart our own ‘course’ on the web at LakeChelan.com and craft your own late summer or fall getaway today.