If you were to compile a list of the finest publicly-owned golf facilities in America, you might start with Long Island's Bethpage State Park or maybe San Diego's Torrey Pines, but hard on the heels of these world renown tracks is one of the hidden gems of American public golf: Bremerton, Washington's Gold Mountain Golf Club. Opened in 1971 with the much loved Cascade Course, the real fanfare here began in 1996 with the debut of John Harbottle's spectacular Olympic Course.   

The courses are laid out side by side across a beautiful and isolated piece of land, set aside long ago as a watershed reserve. The result is that no housing will ever be built along the course and the quiet, natural beauty of the surrounding forest land has been preserved forever.

The kinder, gentler of the two tracks is the original Cascade Course. It features wide fairways with mostly gentle elevation changes on the front nine, with more severe slopes found on the back. The large elevated greens -- which are universally well kept at Gold Mountain -- slope gently on most holes on the Cascade Course with the chief hazards coming from the surrounding trees and some deep bunkering, with water in play on just two holes.

As fine as the Cascade Course is, from the point of view of a true championship challenge, it pales in comparison to its younger sibling, Gold Mountain's Olympic Course. Debuting in 1996 to national acclaim (it has twice been named one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Courses You Can Play) and stretching to over 7100 yards from the tips, the Olympic Course features dramatic elevation changes on nearly every hole with water in play on five. Cut through maturing second-growth forest land, most holes are isolated and the solitude mixes well with the drama Harbottle and his team built into this outstanding track. Lush ryegrass fairways and fescue rough lead the golfer to some huge undulating greens that, while generally open in front, are protected on one side by bunkering with varied chipping areas elsewhere. Gold Mountain will definitely test your short game as well as your ability to hit straight off the tee. And while your score may not live up to expectations, the experience definitely will.

And when your round is over, be sure to enjoy a drink or dinner in the spacious Northwest-style restaurant, and bar. Both were part of the 1996 facility upgrade at Gold Mountain -- and the cozy surroundings and hilltop views of the golf course and surrounding forest land are outstanding. In addition, there is a large attached private space for events, meetings, and private dinners.  Finally, an upgraded practice facility was part the renovation as well, and Gold Mountain now features a HUGE all-grass driving range, two practice putting greens, and a terrific chipping and bunker play area. So there you have it: the most complete golf facility -- public or private -- in Washington. Plan to play one or both of these outstanding tracks during your next visit.

• 4.5-star rating in Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play" 
• 2nd Best Value in the U.S. behind Bethpage Black - 2005 Golf Digest 
• Best Public Course in Washington - 2002, 03, 04, 05, Golfweek Magazine 
• Top Ten Best in Washington - 1999, 2001, 2005 Golf Digest 
• Top 25 Best Daily Fee Course Countrywide  - 2001 Golf & Travel 
• #1 Course in Washington State - 2000 Seattle Post-Inteligencer 
• Top 100 Courses You Can Play - 1998, 2006 Golf Magazine 
• Voted 2nd Best New Public Course in the United States - 1997 
• Best in Washington - 1998 and 2001 Golf Digest 
• Hosted 2006 USGA Men's Public Links Championship

Gold Mountain...by the numbers