The Olympic Course seems far removed from the concrete jungle that exists just a few miles away on Washington Highway 16. Driving into the Gold Mountain Golf Club complex, visitors are greeted by a shady row of huge, old growth trees, whose wet bark is covered in thick, dark green moss; truly one of the more beautiful entryways in golf.

The rainforest-like conditions in the driveway disappear, however, as soon as one steps out of the car and onto the Gold Mountain practice putting green. This is golf in a true alpine environment, ala Keystone Ranch in Colorado. Surrounded by majestic views of the Olympic mountain range, deep, dark woods full of golf balls, and pine-scented breezes, the Olympic Course immediately refreshed my senses.

A PGA Sectional tournament had played the golf course the morning of our visit, and as a result, it was in impecible condition for late April. Driving the ball with confidence was easy, as the fairways were wide and well-drained, and gave off some nice roll. The real challenge at the Olympic Course was in managing its small, potato-chip-shaped greens, which on that day, were set up to test the pros.
The finishing stretch of holes, while not the most difficult in golf, certainly should qualify as some of the most thrilling. After carding a birdie on the 14th, another birdie on the Augusta-like 15th, a solid par on the scenic 16th and a double-bogie on the brutal 17th, I stood on the 271 yard, par 4 18th tee looking for revenge. And eagle seemed a real possibility after driving the heavily-bukered green with a sweet 3-wood, but then in a twist of nasty fate, a three-putt par landed on my scorecard.

The playability of the Olympic Course is a huge factor in why the Gold Mountain Golf Club receives so many accolades and hosts so many good tournaments, including last year’s NCAA Men’s West Regional tournament. Golfers of all abilities face a number of good chances to make pars and birdies on the Olympic Course, but often watch those scores balloon to bogeys and double-bogeys with a shaky putter.

Signature Holes

#9: don’t relax after hitting a good drive and second shot on the 585 yard, par 5 9th, as there is more work left to do with the approach shot. This green is a killer.

#15/#16: I put these two holes together because they are joined by a lake, and not only provide scoring excitement, but the best-looking holes on the golf course. The 15th is a 334 yard par 4 that offers an easy birdie, or so it seems from the fairway. And the 16th is a 157-yard par-3 that will eat your lunch if you don’t hit the green with your tee shot.

#17: the 440 yard 17th hole is a bruiser that requires accuracy above all else. 3-wood from the tee is a smart choice. The potential to blow-up on the 17th is huge.

Value: perhaps the best value of the golfing options on the Kitsap Peninsula, the Gold Mountain Golf Club’s daily rates are cheap and its club memberships, which include play on both the Olympic and Cascade courses, are super cheap.

Walkability: while the terrain is quite a bit up and down, the Olympic Course is still walkable for a mountain design.

Reid Wegley - ReidWegs Travel Blog
June 5, 2009

Source: http://reidwegs.com

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