Oregon's 'first golf resort,' The Courses at The Resort at the Mountain rolls through the Salmon River Valley near Mount Hood
WELCHES, Ore. -- Staking claim as Oregon's "first golf resort" is The Courses at The Resort at the Mountain, set within the Salmon River Valley in the Cascade Mountains near Mount Hood.
The resort, founded in the late 19th century, later added nine holes of golf in 1928. The golf and resort has expanded greatly since. Today, there are 27 holes at The Courses at The Resort at the Mountain: the Foxglove Nine, Pine Cone Nine and Thistle Nine. The most recent improvements came in 2008, when John Harbottle III helped redesign and renovate the course, particularly the bunkers while also redoing some greens.
Three standout holes begin the Foxglove Course -- all three play along the rushing Salmon River. The first hole has a large boulder in front of the green. The Pine Cone Course has a slew of scenic holes -- starting with an elevated tee shot on the first -- that play beside steep, green mountainsides and alongside creeks. The Thistle Course, at a par 34, is the shortest of the three nine-hole loops at the resort.
In addition to the 27-hole golf facility, the recently remodeled resort has 157 units and villas, which serve both summer golf and outdoor enthusiasts as well as winter ski season. Also on site are four tennis courts and an 18-hole lighted putting course.
