Sounds like quite the trip! The two “best” courses would be Crosswater (at Sunriver) and Pronghorn (either one of their two courses), but Tetherow is right there with them. Crosswater is ~20 min drive south of Bend and Pronghorn is ~30 min east. Tetherow is the only one of the three that is actually in Bend, if that matters at all.
You may want to compare costs by looking at group bookings at either Pronghorn or Sunriver, but I’m kind of out of my depth when it comes to that many people. I know Silvies has big group packages as well but that is likely every bit as remote as your previous MT location.
Sunriver is probably your best bet for finding large rental homes in close proximity to each other for a reasonable price, but all of Bend is littered with rental homes so you’ll have plenty to choose from. Tetherow area is expensive, everything else will be about the same.
Maybe not the “best” courses on site but definitely 3 of the top 10 in the area. There are two small grocery stores and village area with restaurants and a fantastic brewery (s/o Sunriver brewing).
My “best” course rankings for the area:
Tetherow
Pronghorn - Faz (might be able to get on here with that big of a group)
Crosswater (Sunriver)
Brasada Ranch
Pronghorn - Nicklaus
Personally, I think Tetherow is clearly top of the pack and then 2-5 are pretty interchangeable. As mentioned in Tourist Sauce, it has really mellowed out over the last decade - which is a bummer because it was SICK when it opened.
Some restaurants to look into: Bos Taurus (great steak and wine), Wild Rose (Northern Thai food), Ariana (high-end for Bend), Bangers and Brews, and Spork. Last two are very casual.
Definitely more beer options in Central Oregon but if wine is a must, flying into Portland and taking Santiam pass (as opposed to going over Mt Hood) would turn a number of awesome wineries into a quick side trip. For beer in Bend, would highly recommend Crux (especially the lawn around sunset) and Boss Rambler.
Dogwood Cocktail Cabin has the best drinks I have ever tasted.
I agree with Tetherow being the best as a championship course and challenging but if I had to pick one I would choose the Fazio at Pronghorn. I’ve played it twice and the vibes out there are unmatched. Crosswater has lovely playability but its greens have serious teeth, especially in the prevailing winds. Crosswater really has the mountain meadow feel that is quite relaxing. It really is a toss up between those three I love them all, but Tetherow is sure to be more polarizing for blind shots, mega rubs of the green, etc. The best for a match play event for sure.
First of all. SICK. Sounds like an absolute blast.
Sunriver and pronghorn would be my 2 recs based off what you’re looking for. Pronghorn has 2 of the top 5 tracks “in” town. Sunriver would rank slightly lower (Crosswater is top 3 but the other tracks are a little lower ranked in my
mind - likely 6,7 on the list) but the resort/village is way more fun and has much more to do. Pronghorn is pretty much a blip 25ish min east of town with nothing else, Sunriver is a great spot with groceries and some decent restaurants. If you stay in Sunriver you’re around 20min away from Tetherow as well if you want to get up there for a round. Sunriver also will likely be cheaper/easier on the lodging side.
Restaurants in town that we love in no particular order:
Bos Taurus, Spork, Wild Rose, Barrio, Bangers and Brews (we’ve gotten to know the family that owns it, truly the best people. We love to support them and it helps that it’s stupid good), 10 Barrel (Jaca Pizza. You’re welcome).
Brews:
Silver moon
Bend Brewing
10 Barrel (BuT ThEy SoLd OuT)
Sunriver brewing
Craft Brewing
Crux
Monkless (if you want a terrific Belgian).
Hope this helps! You’ll have a blast no matter what. Bend is great.
I’ve also been kicking around the idea (in my own head) of maybe getting a Portland adjacent meet up going. Maybe at Langdon Farms or somewhere similar?
Yeah that sounds like a good idea. I’d be coming from Salem and I think there are a few more in the Salem/Albany/Corvallis area so the south side of the Portland metro would be good.
Hey everyone, new member here based out of NE Portland. Originally from the Bay Area, but moved here 2 1/2 years ago. I’ve played golf off and on for most of my life, but got back into the game a few years ago, and really caught the bug last summer with the help of the NLU crew and the Oregon Tourist Sauce season. Heron Lakes is my de facto home course, but I try and play all over the metro area. Looking forward to getting out there once the weather improves and connecting with other Oregon golfers!
Well let’s see what we have then. I am officially gauging people’s interest in an Oregon refugee event. I’m really just saying does anyone want to start having a regularish game at various courses. Or just start playing golf with like minded folks across the state.
I’d come back for a big Bend/Sisters/Redmond week, and probably will put something together one summer if it’s not totally on fire. I grew up around Salem. We’ve wanted to come back for just a time to hang out.
I could easily put a game together at my club, Creekside in Salem. If we want to do that at some point. Green fees are reasonable, only get to $65 or so at peak.
What’s up guys, my name is Reis. First time, long time.
Last year, when the city cancelled our annual summer softball season, a bunch of us started a golf league. By the end of the summer we had grown to like 25 guys. Each event is a basic net stroke play golf outing. Not hyper competitive outings, seeing as we have a few beers and a lot of fun. By the time all was said and done in 2020, we had completed a season long points race and an end of the year matchplay bracket tourney.
This year we legitimized our group by becoming a formal USGA golf club. This way all guys would have legitimate handicaps for the upcoming season net games. The name of our league is the Red Barn Tour (named after the red barn at Langdon Farms, where we formed the league).
We’re always looking for new prospective members of the Tour, so I thought I’d register a name at NLU and introduce who we are, to this community.
If anyone is interested, you can find us on IG @ red_barn_tour or at redbarntour.com (after March 5th when go daddy let’s me transfer the domain to our newly built site).
Crosswater is the best course in the Sunriver/Bend area
It is semi-private with great views of Mount Bachelor
Big groups are always challenging at busy seasonal places like Bend/Sunriver, much easier at remote seasonal places like Wilderness Club
I would love to meet up