“One course is a curiosity. Two courses makes a destination.” Throughout my resort travels numerous individuals have said this to me and I have always felt that it rang true. I was curious enough to make the visit to Gamble Sands back in 2015 when there was only one golf course. For the hard core golf traveler the journey was well worth it. When Gamble Sands added the par 3 Quick Sands course and some cottages course in 2021, the resort was on the verge of becoming a major destination. On August 1, 2025, the newly designed Scarecrow opens at Gamble Sands and the resort will officially arrive as one of the premier golf destinations in America. Strap yourself in as I take you on a tour of every hole on David McLay Kid’s brand new Scarecrow.
All three of the golf courses at Gamble Sands have been designed by renowned Scottish architect, David McLay Kidd. Kidd’s first design at the resort was well known for its player features and heavy doses of fun. I would often tell golfers that if you are looking to shoot your personal best score, pay a visit to Gamble Sands. You can’t play horribly, but many of your wayward golf shots will bounce joyously towards their intended target. Reachable par 4’s and 5’s give the golfer a chance to capture some easy birdies and eagles are often found on the original course at Gamble Sands. That same design mantra permeates the resort and is an integral part of the new Scarecrow. Golf is fun at Gamble Sands.
Hole #1 - Par 4 - 395 yards
The opening hole on Scarecrow plays far shorter than the yardage indicates mostly due to the large downhill slope that most golfers will find after cresting the hill on the blind opening tee shot. The golf course is designed to play fast and firm and a lot of your drives will roll a good amount down the slopes. I was getting and extra 30 yards of roll out all day long. A large pot bunker protects the green and a well struck short iron should set up a chance for an opening birdie.
Hole #2 - Par 3 - 198 yards
After an opening handshake on the first hole, a good shot is required to find the green on this spectacular redan style green. Far left is certain death and plenty of pars will be made by those that play out to the right.
Hole #3 - Par 5 - 547 yards
This uphill par 5 gives the golfer a good chance at finding the green in two. Like many of the holes on Scarecrow, the fairway is generous and the 5th is a glorious opportunity to swing away and hang an early birdie on the board.
Hole #4 - Par 3 - 220 yards
After an opportunity for birdie on the 4th, a par on the 5th is a great score. It is the longest par 3 on the golf course and a green that you don’t want to overshoot. Slap a low runner down there and bounce one up onto the green. I played a $hank into the 3rd fairway and managed a nifty par save.
Hole #5 - Par 4 - 311 yards
The first opportunity to drive the green comes early on Scarecrow. This short uphill par 4 provides plenty of scenery as well as a triple tiered green that will keep things interesting even after you find the green. The hole is reachable for just about every player ensuring nobody is with a mandatory lay up. Plenty of interesting bunkers await the inevitably wayward tee shots.
Hole #6 - Par 5 - 581 yards
The longest hole on Scarecrow plays entirely downhill and over some glorious undulations. There is a final set of bunkers down the left hand side of the fairway that will tempt the big hitters. Carry them and you will set up a great look at easy birdie. Most golfers will play down the right hand side and find the green with a short iron.
Hole #7 - Par 4 - 422 yards
The 7th hole has a lot more room to the right than the golfer might think. The big drivers can sneak one in between the two bunkers on the left and potentially find the green.
Hole #8 - Par 4 - 467 yards
The first truly stout par 4 on Scarecrow requires two big shots in order to find the green. Like many of the golf holes on the golf course, the undulations and terrain keep the golfer interested in the fairway and around the greens.
Hole #9 - Par 3 - 169 yards
The 9th hole is perhaps the most scenic spot on the entire property. With the Columbia River looming in the background, it takes a concerted effort in order to focus on the task at hand. It’s a short and fun shot over the bunker to find the green. Slopes on the right edge will funnel balls towards the green. Your potential ace awaits.
Hole #10 - Par 4 - 478 yards
After a pit stop at the snack shack, the golfer finds the glorious 10th spilling out in front of them. It is wise to load up on sustenance here as the 10th hole is one of the most formidable golf holes on the property. If you are fighting a breeze on this tee box, you’re gonna need a big drive to find this beauty in two shots.
Hole #11 - Par 3 - 158 yards
One of the most dramatic holes at Scarecrow plays out to a point high above the Chicken River. When I arrived at the golf hole, this point had remained nameless. I quickly took the opportunity to give the point a name. Despite all of my creative efforts, I only managed the most obvious name possible… Chicken Point. Let us hope that the name sticks.
The view from above and behind Chicken Point.
Hole #12 - Par 5 - 489 yards
After a visit to Chicken Point, the golfer is presented with a significant opportunity for an eagle. Swing hard and bite off as much as you can chew. The further right you play your tee shot, the less distance that you will have to reach the green. Just be sure to carry the bunker. A successful effort will yield a shorter club into this punch bowl green. During my two trips around the golf course, I managed two good drives that lead to an eagle and a birdie.
Hole #13 - Par 4 - 430 yards
The 13th hole is a beautiful uphill par 4. A strong drive will carry the bunker on the right hand side and set up a good look at the green. Take a minute or two to enjoy the view on this tee box.
Hole #14 - Par 4 - 500 yards
This beastly 500 yard par 4 does not play anywhere as long as the scorecard indicates. If you manage to hit a decent drive, your golf ball will tumble an extra 50 yards or so down the hill setting up a fun approach shot. A pot bunker bisects the front of a truly massive and undulating green. With a plethora of pin locations, the 14th is a truly unique long par 4.
The 14th green gets a drink at sunset
Hole #15 - Par 5 - 575 yards
The 15th plays up and over a large ridge with a blind tee shot. The fairway beyond the crest is generous and sets up many different angles and options for the player. Depending on your drive, you might elect to sneak one up towards the green by playing down the left hand side of the fairway. A large bunker gobbles up anything short and right.
From behind the 15th with the 16th tees in the foreground.
Hole #16 - Par 3 - 205 yards
The 16th is a downhill beauty and your last chance for a hole in one on a par 3. Don’t sweat it if you come up short, you still have an ace chance on the par 4 18th.
Hole #17 - Par 4 - 408 yards
The 17th hole provides a myriad of options off of the tee and the prudent golfer would be wise to pay attention to the pin position before playing their tee shot. The most advantageous option is down the left hand side of the fairway which should give you an angle and a sight line at the pin.
Hole #18 - Par 4 - 368 yards
The finishing hole at Gamble Sands exemplfies exactly what makes Gamble Sands so much fun to play. For almost every golfer, it is an opportunity to drive the green and finish the round with an exclamation point. However, finding the putting surface won’t be easy as the green is perched on the edge of a cliff. Fortunately, there is plenty of room to the left.
After I lipped out for my birdie on 18, I added up all of my strokes and I had shot a smooth 1 under par 70. Since we were one of the very first groups to experience Scarecrow, the course record was only a modest 71. This mean that I was officially the new course record holder. Do you have what it takes to best my 70? Book your visit to Gamble Sands today and find out.
