The Tri-Cities:
Where great golf meets world-class wine
The Tri-Cities of Washington — Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland — might not be the first place that comes to mind when golfers start planning a Pacific Northwest trip. But maybe it should be. With nine public courses within a short drive, a long playing season, and a landscape shaped by three rivers and wide-open skies, this corner of southeastern Washington offers the kind of variety that makes a golf getaway feel easy.
Golf there is shaped as much by the environment as the architecture. The Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers converge in the region, creating rolling terrain, desert bluffs, and ribbons of green fairway cutting through the high desert. The result is a mix of layouts that reward creativity, solid ball striking, and the occasional willingness to let the wind become part of the round.
Kennewick alone delivers several distinct golf experiences. Canyon Lakes Golf Course is often the one that gets golfers talking. Routed through dramatic elevation changes with water in play on multiple holes, it asks players to think their way around the property while still offering a fair challenge. It’s the kind of layout where club selection matters and every tee shot frames a new view of the surrounding hills.
Just a few minutes away, Zintel Creek Golf Club provides a completely different vibe. Established in 1938, this historic course offers a walkable layout lined with mature trees and a straightforward design that makes for a relaxed round for players of all skill levels.
Columbia Park Golf Tri-Plex rounds out Kennewick’s public offerings with a format that welcomes players of all abilities. The shorter layout and practice facilities make it a great spot for sharpening wedge play, introducing someone to the game, or squeezing in a quick round when time is limited.
Across the Columbia River, Pasco’s Sun Willows Golf Course provides a full-length municipal test that has quietly built a reputation among regional players. Wide fairways give golfers room to swing, but the course still demands accuracy and a thoughtful approach into the greens. It’s a layout that rewards good golf while remaining enjoyable for everyday players.
Richland adds even more personality to the local golf scene. Columbia Point Golf Course sits along the Columbia River and pairs scenic water views with a layout that challenges golfers from the opening tee shot to the finishing hole. Breezes off the river can add an extra layer of strategy, and the setting alone makes the round memorable.
Buckskin Golf Club offers a relaxed nine-hole experience locals have enjoyed for decades — perfect for a quick round that can easily stretch into a leisurely afternoon.
Additional public courses in West Richland and throughout the Columbia Basin round out the Tri-Cities’ nine-course lineup, giving visiting golfers the chance to play a different course each day while experiencing a range of designs.
Of course, golf might be the anchor for a visit, but the Tri-Cities offer plenty to explore once the scorecard is signed.
The region’s three rivers create a natural playground beyond the fairways. Columbia Park stretches along the riverfront with scenic paths and open spaces perfect for unwinding after a round, while the Sacagawea Heritage Trail links the Tri-Cities with more than 20 miles of paved pathways for cycling or evening walks. Richland’s Howard Amon Park is a favorite gathering spot, especially when the sun dips over the Columbia River and the sky turns the soft gold locals know well.
Then there’s the wine. The Tri-Cities sit in the Heart of Washington Wine Country, surrounded by vineyards and tasting rooms showcasing some of the state’s most respected varietals. For golfers, the 19th hole might come with a glass of cabernet or syrah and a view of the vines that produced it.
In the end, what makes golf in the Tri-Cities stand out isn’t just the number of courses — it’s the rhythm of the place: a morning tee time under wide blue skies, an afternoon along the river, and the sense that there’s always another course waiting tomorrow.
For golfers who enjoy discovering new places to play, the Tri-Cities might be one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secrets.
To plan your golf getaway and pick your spots to sip in Heart of Washington Wine Country, check out VisitTri-Cities.com.
