When people think of golf in Oregon, places like Bandon Dunes and Bend come to mind. But if you wander out to the middle of the state, you will find a vibe and a golf course that is as friendly as any other in the state. From Taco Tuesday to Music Bingo, Quail Ridge Golf Course embodies what makes public golf courses great. The affordable public course serves as a community center for the golfers of Baker City, Oregon. Families convene, the kids build sand castles in the practice bunkers and the good times roll. In addition to festivities, the golf course is also a lot of fun to play. Please enjoy my 6 favorite golf holes from my photography visit to Quail Ridge Golf Course.
Hole #16 - Par 5 - 601 yards
Quail Ridge is a par 70 that measures just 6022 yards from the back tees. This makes for plenty of short holes and a lot of fun. However, the 16th hole is a pretty big outlier and accounts for nearly 10% of the golf course’s total yardage. Tucked into the side of a hill, the green site is one of the coolest at Quail Ridge.
Hole #1 - Par 4 - 370 yards
The opening hole at Quail Ridge is my favorite on the golf course. You don’t hear that too often as most openers settle for mediocrity The tee shot plays down a hill and it’s easy to hook one OB or push one up onto the hillside or even the 18th fairway. An accurate drive will leave a short club into this cool little green that sticks out from the side of the ridge.
Hole #6 - Par 4 - 386 yards
There are plenty of trees to the left and right of the 6th fairway that make hitting an accurate drive an important part of the 6th hole. If you set yourself up properly, you will be rewarded with a really fun approach shot to a cozy little green site nestled over a small creek. Most of the greens at Quail Ridge are small and circular and this one fits perfectly in its location.
Hole #7 - Par 3 - 103 yards
The shortest hole at Quail Ridge plays downhill and just a smidge over 100 yards. It’s an excellent chance to pop one in the hole and drive everyone mad. Even with the short distance, it can be difficult to get your distance dialed in here. During my visit, I was 0 for 2 attempts bringing my lifetime total to 0 for 17,349 attempts.
Hole #12 - Par 3 - 135 yards
The second shortest hole at Quail Ridge plays uphill and is located on the most scenic portion of the golf course. Local legend tells us that the 12th hole is Bigfoot’s favorite hole and he can often be seen watching golfers miss par putts and laughing hysterically. He certainly heckled my birdie effort causing me to miss dead left.
Hole #13 - Par 4 - 341 yards
Remember when I said that the first hole at Quail Ridge was my favorite? Well, that might have been a lie. The 13th hole plays in the opposite direction and offers a similar challenge to the first hole. Depending on the tee box, big hitters might be able to find the green but anything to the left will find the tall and perilous grasses. One thing is certain, the 13th provides some hot fire photographs.
