Save Some Green

Camaloch Golf Course on Camano Island credits Pacific Northwest golf designer Bill Overdorf as its primary architect, at least for the second nine holes opened in 1991. However, those who had the initial vision and motivation and who did — and continue to do — much of the physical work on the course was Everyman.

Back in 1967, the Camaloch Association set up this Camano Island development, 60 miles north of Seattle, with the sale of 466 lots. As the years passed, the members wanted to develop a nine-hole golf course on a nearby underdeveloped parcel. They did it themselves, moving rocks, clearing brush, trees and stumps, and grading the terrain. It opened in 1972 with no architect credited with the design, and it was met with praise and appreciation for its fair test and consistent greens.

But it wasn’t enough. Membership authorized Overdorf, who also designed other Northwest courses such as Aspen Lakes GC in Sisters, Ore., Homestead GC in Lynden, Wash., and The Classic GC in Spanaway, Wash., to put together an adjacent second nine. But again, it was the locals, the average Joe golfers, who volunteered to do much of the grunt work and get Overdorf’s plan built. Essentially, it’s the peoples’ course, with, by and for them.

The Camaloch’s Board of Trustees oversees the continuing improvements to the course, with the membership still vitally engaged and supportive. Over the years, the board has improved the original design to conform both nines, and it has improved the driving range, practice facility and drainage system.

However, unlike so many other courses west of the Cascades, drainage is not much of a concern at Camaloch. The island course is in the ‘Sun Belt’ and receives about half the rainfall as the rest of the Puget Sound region. This winter, the course’s sanding program will help keep the layout even drier.

Even with such excellent playing conditions, the most compelling aspect of the course is its green fees. You can get around during the week for as low as $28. Add another $5 or so for the weekend rate and that’s a bargain everyone can appreciate.

RATES $30-$37 weekdays; $35-$45 weekends*

TEL (360) 387-3084

WEB camalochgolf.com

* Check website for current rates

The contribution of the historic Foster Golf Links to golfers in this region might well be underappreciated. The Tukwila course, two years shy of 100 years old, likely has been the optimum training ground for more than three generations of Puget Sound area public golfers.

Opened in 1925, Foster was the second public course built in the region after Jefferson Park (1915 — the private Seattle Golf Club, opened in 1900, is considered the region’s oldest course). Foster opened with nine holes at first but, within two years of opening, all 18 holes were established. It was popular then and, 98 years later, popular now, as nearly 50,000 rounds were played last year.

The reason why it has remained a staple of public play is because it’s flat and affordable and, at just 4,804 yards, it isn’t long or difficult (other than clearing the river for a pair of par 3s it’s quite straightforward). It’s an easy drive too, situated just south of the city core along the Duwamish River. Basically, it’s just plain fun — a youngster can cut his/her wedge on the modest layout — and everyone can usually get around in well under four hours.

The parcel of land on which the course is situated goes back to a time before Washington was declared a state in 1889. It goes back before Seattle was declared a city in 1869. Even before the Civil War, when Joseph Foster homesteaded the property in 1853. A maple tree, planted by Foster in 1873, still towers over the course.

Englishman George Eddy, an inventor, entrepreneur, and golf professional, convinced Foster to sell his land to build the course in the early 1920s at a time when other courses were springing up, such as Rainier, Inglewood, Fircrest, Glen Acres and Broadmoor. Governor Louis F. Hart hit the first drive.

Joe Aliment, once a caddy for Eddy, purchased the property and his family held it until 1978 when the City of Tukwila took it over. In 2004, the city put more than $5 million into course improvements, building a new clubhouse and restaurant, Billy Baroo’s. The restaurant, with street tacos among its featured items, attracts plenty of non-golfers for lunch.

Besides the par 3s over the Duwamish, the course’s most memorable, and challenging, hole is the 420-yard 6th hole, where the river guards the entire left side.

Foster has been a fundamental part of the region’s golfing history. It’s a layout that wonderfully accommodates the father taking his son/daughter out for their first round, just as his father and his father before that did.

RATES $36.50-$42*

TEL (206) 242-4221

WEB fostergolflinks.com

* Check website for current rates

Much has changed in the 46-year history of Snohomish Golf Course as it continually strives to stay the same. The course was built in 1967 on a former 200-acre dairy farm in the rural backcountry by Gordy Richards and his son Dave.

Dave operated the place for decades, until he passed away in 2019. Today, Dave’s son Steve Richards and his son Ben run the operation, maintaining the principle that the course must continue to be a fair test yet adapt and be able to accommodate players of all skill levels.

John Brandvold has witnessed the Richards’ legacy for decades. He worked the range as a teenager and the pro shop while in college and has been the head golf professional since 1995. “You got to keep up with the times,” he says.

Most recently, the Richards recognized that areas on the back-nine were too soggy, with inconsistent growing patterns. So, they authorized clearing out some trees and brush on holes 11, 12 and 13 to provide better airflow and sun exposure.

“A lot of it was about the sun in the wintertime,” Brandvold says. “The grass can grow better in the winter and will be in better shape by spring.”

He adds that, despite our rainy winters “the cli- mate does allow us to play golf.” But the thousands of Douglas firs planted around the course can cause problems as the roots tangle up and damage drain lines. Over the years, Brandvold says, there has been the constant search-and-fix program to eliminate marshy areas.

Another change the course has made recently is adding a fourth (forward) tee to accommodate the aging, or shorter-driving, golfer. The new tees are copper, to go along with silver, gold and black.

“We’ve always been pretty long, from the black tees (6,813 yards),” Brandvold says, “but I heard we’re the longest course for women west of the Mississippi.”

However, Snohomish is quite forgiving for the beginning golfer as there isn’t much sand or water which allows a range of golfers to enjoy the course, says Brandvold.

What also brings them out, even the non-golfers, is the meatloaf at the snack bar. Keeping it consistent.

RATES $38-$45*

TEL (360) 568-2676 ext. 1

WEB snohomishgolfcourse.com

* Check website for current rates