SAVE SOME GREEN

1 • Ocean Shores Golf Course • Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores Golf Course on the rugged Washington coast opened in 1961 as a six-hole layout, grew to nine holes in 1963 and opened its current 18-hole configuration in 1966.

The design — mainly credited to city planners of the day — melds a wooded front nine with a linksy back nine through dunes along the Pacific shore.

Notable tournaments have featured prominently in Ocean Shores’ history. In 1966, Pat Boone launched the Celebrity Golf Classic, drawing stars like Clint Eastwood, Joe Namath, Fred MacMurray and Ginny Simms, which lasted through 1970.

Starting in 1970, Ocean Shores hosted LPGA events under the Wendell-West Open banner — won by Kathy Whitworth 1969 and JoAnne Carner in 1970, her first professional title.

Later events included the Northwest Open (1971), Pacific Northwest ProAm (1990), NFL Celebrity Classics, and the 2007 PNGA Junior Girls’ Championship.

Heavy coastal winds often ratchet up the challenge here, while firm, quick greens call for a bump-and-run style. Exceptional drainage allows play even after heavy rain.

Ocean Shores’ blue (back) tees stretch to 6,252 yards, the middle (white) tees run out to 5,942 yards, while the front (red) tees register at 5,173 yards.

Locals know to be wary of the 541-yard par-5 No. 7, the toughest hole on a deceptively challenging golf course. Approach shots look straightforward, but a tree guards the green on the left and a bunker on the right.

Ocean Shores’ opening hole, a 507-yard par 5, allows a player to be long (with the wind at his back), but a straight tee shot is critical. OBs run the entire length of the hole and a fairway bunker on the right can come into play.

The back nine finale (the par-3 No. 18) is long (198 yards) and well-guarded and crosswinds will influence the flight of your ball — a fitting finish.

Weekend/holiday rates top out at $50, with discounts for seniors and juniors. Weekday rates are even better, ranging from $45 down to $20 for a junior.

At these prices, with well-maintained amenities and a big splash of coastal scenery, Ocean Shores delivers outstanding value for a golfer’s dollar.

YARDAGE (PAR 71) 5,173-6,262 yards

RATES $20-$50

TEL (360) 289-3357

WEB oceanshoresgolf.com

* Check website for current rates

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2 • Whispering Firs Golf Course • McChord AFB

If Whispering Firs Golf Course is known among golfers who work the I-5 corridor, it’s as the “other” military course – along with Eagles Pride – at Joint Base LewisMcChord (JBLM) in Tacoma.

But it’s worth the extra planning to find and play Whispering Firs on the old McChord AFB side of JBLM.

Whispering Firs, designed by Bob E. Baldock and opened in 1962, spans 6,646 yards from the longest tees, with a course rating of 71.8 and a slope of 122. It’s characterized by its tight tree-lined fairways, well-bunkered greens and water hazards in play on many holes. The layout’s emphasis on accuracy over distance offers plenty of challenge to good players.

Whispering Firs primarily serves military personnel and their families, but it’s open to the public and accessible with a little extra care. Civilians wanting to play here must obtain base access through the JBLM Visitor Center, presenting a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID that complies with the REAL ID Act. Tee times and information about the course’s security guidelines can be had at (253) 982-2124.

Memorable holes at Whispering Firs include No. 6, a long (468 yards from the tips), dogleg-left par 4 rated the toughest hole on the course.

The 426-yard No. 2 is a straightforward par 4 with one of the narrowest fairways on the course. Escape it unscathed and you still face a small, well-guarded green that begs sharp shot placement.

The 531-yard par-5 11th is a severe dogleg left that demands risk/reward calculations starting right on the tee: Do I cut the corner to defeat the sharp left turn barely 100 yards out? It’s the hardest hole on the back nine.

Affordability is a prime virtue at Whispering Firs, where green fees vary based on affiliation and time of play. For active duty E1-E5 personnel, fees are $22 for 18 holes and $15 for nine holes. Retirees and Department of Defense civilians pay $28 for 18 holes and $19 for nine holes. Public players are charged $33 for 18 holes and $23 for nine holes on weekdays, with rates increasing on weekends. Discounts are available for juniors and seniors.

YARDAGE (PAR 72) 5,564-6,761 yards

RATES $22-$40

TEL (253) 982-2124

WEB jblm.armymwr.com/programs/whispering-firs-golf-course

* Check website for current rates

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3 • Washington National Golf Club • Auburn

The home course of the Washington Huskies is also home to top-notch facilities and plenty of good, tough golf. Washington National Golf Club in Auburn in southeast King County is the official home course for the University of Washington’s men’s and women’s golf teams, and its Husky pedigree is evident throughout the property.

University-branded carts, Big Ten flags, campus-inspired signage — and especially the signature 18th hole marked with a purple “W” near the green — create a fun collegiate atmosphere.

Opened in 2000, Washington National was designed by top golf architect John Fought alongside golf developer Orrin Vincent. The course is crafted with bentgrass fairways and greens, set in rolling terrain typical of local topography.

The layout accommodates all skill levels, with five tee boxes stretching from 5,117 to 7,304 yards: Freshman (5,117 yards), Sophomore (5,794), Junior (6,420), Senior (6,772) and Husky (7,304).

The course has hosted numerous events including NCAA men’s and women’s West Regionals, the NCAA Women’s Championship (2002), and the Husky Invitational.

The signature 18th is a testy par 4 finishing hole (Husky tees: 475 yards) guarded by bunkers and an undulating green complex — a worthy “final exam” that tests players’ accuracy and nerve.

Other worthy holes include the demanding par 5 17th (529 yards from the Senior tee, 543 from the Husky), featuring water hazards, multiple fairway bunkers, and elevation changes that make it both scenic and strategic.

The drivable par 4 7th (286 yards Junior, 320 Husky) beckons long ballers who must be wary of the water near the green.

The short, two-tiered par 3 16th (138 to 198 yards) asks for a precise shot over creek and bunker to a sloped green.

Green fees use Oki Golf’s realtime dynamic pricing. Typical weekday rounds start around $80, weekends near $90, while peaktime rates (estimated this summer at around $150 with cart) reflect demand. Seniors, juniors, military, and Oki Players Card holders can get discounted rates, and flexible offpeak bookings online or via the app yield the best deals.

At its peak weekend rate, the 7,300-yard championship course still delivers value, blending tournament-level challenge and pristine conditions with a top tier practice facility at a fraction of private club cost.

YARDAGE (PAR 72) 5,117-7,304 yards

RATES Dynamic pricing (call for current rates)

TEL (253) 333-5000

WEB

* Check website for current rates

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