Mixed Greens – 10 to Tee in the Yakima Valley

With nearly 300 days of sunshine in the Yakima Valley there is more than ample opportunity to get in a few days of golf. Lucky for us, we also have plenty of fabulous golf courses right here. Whether you are a casual weekend golfer or a tournament pro, there is a course to suit any skill level. So dust off your plus fours and book your tee-times, Yakima – the greens are calling.

1.

SunTides Golf Course

231 Pence Road

Yakima

509-966-9065

suntidesgolf.com

Be sure to book an early tee-time to this course – it’s a favorite among locals and can fill up fast. The course plays over 5,941 yards, featuring fruit orchards and water hazards against a picturesque backdrop of the nearby Naches River.  Features such as the 18-hole Championship Putting Challenge and frequent tournaments provide golf opportunities for all skill levels.  Be sure to watch for fat marmots and other wildlife that make this course their home.

18 hole, par 70

Best Bite

SunTides Restaurant and Lounge provides parched golfers with a full bar as well as breakfast and lunch options. The casual atmosphere is a perfect accompaniment to selections such as the house favorite, fish and chips.

SunTides Restaurant and Lounge

509-965-5661

2.

Mt. Adams Country Club

1250 Rocky Ford Road

Toppenish

509-865-4440

mtadamsgolf.com

A short drive from Yakima, this well-maintained course with views of Mount Adams and nearby Rattlesnake Hills provides a backdrop for a first-class, yet casual, round of golf.  The manicured course is well known for its tournaments and the fast play of its greens.  Mt. Adams Country Club can also be a terrific place to spend a sunny afternoon. This course is listed as semi-private, and member fees may apply.

18 hole, par 72

Best Bite

Mt. Adams Country Club Lounge serves a full bar six days a week during club hours.  A short-order snack bar is also available for hungry golfers on the go.

Mt. Adams Country Club Lounge

509-865-4440

3.

Westwood West Golf Course

6408 Tieton Drive

Yakima

509-966-0890

Short and sweet, this executive-length course plays over 2,689 yards. Its location makes Westwood a great course for westsiders to relax and hit a bucket of balls after work.

9 hole, par 70

Best Bite

A small snack bar is available on site; however, there are many dining options nearby.  Try Jack-sons Sports bar for casual dining. Their fabulous chicken wings – Hot and Spicy Drummies – are not to miss.

Jack-sons Sports bar

509-966-4340

‎432 South 48th Ave.

Yakima

4.

Apple Tree Golf Course

8804 Occidental Avenue

Yakima

509-966-5877

appletreeresort.com

Rated “One of Washington’s Top 18 Holes” by Washington CEO, this course is best known for its par 3, 17^th hole – an island shaped like an apple.   The lush greens of Apple Tree Golf Course span 6,900 yards through a 100-year-old apple orchard, dotted with water features and other hazards

18 hole, par 72

Best Bite

The newly revamped Apple Tree Grill, located at the clubhouse, serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner, including an extensive list of local wines, beer and cocktails.  Hungry golfers can dine on Valley-inspired dishes such as the Grill’s signature Applewood Smoked Prime Rib.

Apple Tree Grill

509-966-7140

5.

Yakima Elks Golf & Country Club

318 Golf Course Loop

Selah

509-697-7177

yakimaelksgolf.com

Nicely-maintained greens play over 6,360 yards on this course known for its helpful and knowledgeable staff.  Yakima Elks Golf and Country Club is private and open only to Elk members and their guests.

18 hole, par 71

Best Bite

The onsite Yakima Elks Bar and Restaurant features a full bar, as well as lunch and dinner options for Elks members.  A soon-to-be-unveiled menu promises tasty dishes alongside house favorite drinks such as their Bloody Mary Cocktail.

Yakima Elks Bar and Restaurant

509-697-6161

6.

River Ridge Golf Course

Golf Course Loop Road

Selah

509-697-8323

With several water features and flat, easy-to-walk grounds, this 2,130-yard executive-length course can be a fun golf outing.  The casual course is ideal for beginners and families.

9 hole, par 62

Best Bite:

River Ridge Restaurant offers casual dining with a view that overlooks the greens.  A fully-stocked bar and local wine selections are also available.  Golfers rave over their St. Louis Style ribs and “Taco Tuesdays.”

River Ridge Restaurant

509-697-8323

7.

Yakima Country Club

500 Country Club Drive

Yakima

509-453-0363

yakimacountryclub.org

Located just three miles east of downtown, this course is nestled within the 117-acre Country Club grounds, overlooking the Yakima Valley.  The beautifully landscaped course plays over 6,500 yards and is known for providing some of the best golf opportunities in the region. The Yakima Country Club is a private course open to members and their guests.

18 hole, par 72

Best Bite:

Whether members choose to dine in the lounge, the outdoor terrace or the formal dining room, they are sure to enjoy a pampered experience.  The Yakima Country Club is known for bending over backwards for its members – meals are no exception.  A full-service bar and an extensive list of wines are expertly paired to accompany customized gourmet meals to any taste.

8.

Fisher Park

823 S 40th Avenue

Yakima

509-575-6075

Despite concerns over a lack of revenue and threats that the city might shut down this local gem of a course, revenue in 2009 was slightly above prior years’ levels, and the park is safe. For now.  Conveniently located across from Eisenhower High School, this 1,354-yard course is family friendly and a great spot for beginners to practice their swing.

9 hole, par 54

Best Bite:

Limited concessions are available on site, but there are many dining options nearby.  In the mood for Greek?  Kabob House serves some of the best gyros in town and is just around the corner.

Kabob House

3609 W. Nob Hill Blvd.

Yakima

509-469-0504

9.

Black Rock Creek Golf Club

31 Ray Road

Sunnyside

509-837-5340

blackrockcreekgc.com

Formerly known as the Lower Valley Golf Club, this 6,657-yard course is filled with enough water hazards, traps and bunkers to keep golfers of all skill levels busy.  Wildlife and waterfowl sightings are frequent occurrences on the well-kept grounds.

18 hole par 72

Best Bite:

Black Rock Creek Grill serves up casual, American-style meals along with beer and wine during operating hours (until about 6pm).  Golfers may want to munch on one of their burgers – a house favorite.

Black Rock Creek Grill

509-837-5305

10.

Cherry Hill Family Fun Center

530 Cherry Hill Road

Granger

509-854-2294

cherryhillrecreation.com/golf.asp

The Cherry Hill golf course was designed to be “family-friendly” affair, and children as young as 5 are encouraged to play alongside adult golfers. The casual course is fun for all ages and skill levels.  Course expansions including a practice putting area are currently in the works.

driving range, pro shop

9 hole, par 60

Best Bite:

Well established as “the” place for pizza in the Lower Valley (Doc’s original location was in Zillah), Doc’s on the Green serves up salads and sandwiches, along with piping hot pizzas like their Master’s – an indulgent combination of canadian bacon, beef, sausage, pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, olives and onions.  Top off the ‘za with a pitcher of cold beer – a perfect ending to any golf game.

Doc’s on the Green Pizzeria

509-854-2294

cherryhillrecreation.com/pizza.asp