Part of a herd of 15 mule deer pause near a sand trap between the 14th green and a lake at Birch Creek Golf Course Feb. 28. The course was purchased last June by the Confederated Tribes of the CUJ photos/Phinney Umatilla Indian Reservation. The golf course and clubhouse, including a restaurant, are being managed by Wildhorse Resort. Continued from page 4B
water rights and stream habitat. The property, zoned farmland with a conditional use for golf, includes the clubhouse, maintenance buildings and cart sheds, plus a swimming pool, and also has three lots approved for housing on a rocky east hill. As part of the deal, Wildhorse was “obligated to run it as a golf course in 2019,” George said. “We think the golf course could alleviate problems at Wildhorse, moving some play out to Birch Creek,” George said. “Everyone in this room thinks we have the opportunity to make Birch Creek a profitable business.” (Sitting at the table with George was Hegarty and Dahl, plus Philip Lagao, Golf Course Superintendent at Birch Creek; Diane Long, Director of Marketing at Wildhorse; Bruce Mecham, Wildhorse Food and Beverage Director; and Al Tovey, Wildhorse Casino General Manager.) George said Wildhorse is bumping up against, if not over, its 200-member limit, which has created some problems for resort play. A second course at Birch Creek would take care of local play, and provide more opportunities for Wildhorse guests to enjoy resort amenities, including the Wildhorse golf course. Wildhorse Pro Hegarty noted the difference in play between some resort players and other golfers who play more often. “We’re busy at both places on weekends, but we want to give our Wildhorse guests the best times we can. It becomes an availability issues with inherently slow resort play. We can send educated golfers to Birch Creek to avoid the wait at Wildhorse, and we can help our once-a-year golfers who play here,” Hegarty said. MECHAM, THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE Director, will be pursuing outdoor events, including receptions and weddings at Birch Creek. He thinks catered events and other special functions such as monthly brunches could be a hit. Marketing Director Long is excited about Birch Creek’s appeal as well. “It opens up a whole world for weddings,” she said.
March 2020
Confederated Umatilla Journal
CTUIR golf memberships At either Wildhorse Resort Golf Course or at Birch Creek Golf Course, a family membership fsor a CTUIR member will cost $480. A single membership for a CTUIR member at either course will cost $400. Free clinics for CTUIR members are scheduled on Saturdays at Wildhorse. For more information call Wildhorse Resort Golf Course at 541-276-5588. “There’s a lot of interest. It’s like a social family gathering. That venue, beautiful trees, it’s retro. It feels like you’re out of town but you’re really not. It’s a great atmosphere.” Plans call for creating a social event venue near an old irrigation pond just west of the first fairway after some old wooden cart sheds are removed. The pond is surrounded by trees, including several large weeping willows. Once the BOT approves the Birch Creek business plan, George said, several renovations and improvements around the clubhouse and course will be scheduled. Some of the biggest improvements include replacing the electric heating and air conditioning systems in the clubhouse, and swapping out old single-pane glass for energy-efficient windows. Remodeling would occur in the large men’s and women’s locker rooms, too. Banks of lockers would be removed, creating usable space for workout equipment that currently is upstairs in a room that leads out to a balcony overlooking the ninth green. Also planned are facelifts for the patio, sauna and showers. On the course, George said, he’d like to see cart paths replaced or repaired. Also, many mature – dead – trees need to be removed, which would open up the area to better highlight Birch Creek.
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