Corona Premier Property

A vista high above the Columbia River

East Wenatchee’s Highlander GC masters the changes

s you stand on Highlander Golf Course in East Wenatchee, high above the Columbia River, you gasp at the scenic 360-degree natural backdrop. 

Change is an infrequent visitor to this place, located in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range. Not so much, however, for the 23-year-old Highlander course. Change is part of its master plan. As Director of Golf and Head PGA Professional Mark Babst has said, “We’re always trying to innovate, trying to improve the experience for the player.”

Highlander opened in 2002 as a Scottish links-style course, designed by noted architect John Steidel and built by Jim Haley, who has shaped courses designed by David McLay-Kidd, Rees Jones and Pete Dye. Highlander was selected as a nominee for America’s “Best New Course’’ in 2003 by Golf Digest magazine.

Within the decade, beginning in 2011, the alterations had begun. Hundreds of deciduous trees were planted to line the fairways, particularly on the front nine, making it more of a typical Northwest course. The course also added a cool waterfall feature between holes two and three.

Two years later, the back nine was the focus. A 32-home community, Highlander Estates, was added to the property and significant revisions were made to two holes: No. 17 and No. 18. Four other holes (10, 14, 15 and 16) were altered as well.

One of the most dramatic changes came in the Spring of 2023 when a 10,000-gallon lake was finished just in front of the 496-yard, par-5 fifth hole. Babst said the move was based on feedback from the patrons who noted that the hole was, “too easy.” Be careful what you wish for!

What hasn’t changed much over the years is Highlander’s signature hole, the par-3 ninth. Golfers hit a 163-yard shot from one side of a canyon to the other, where a green on a bluff resides. That alone is worth paying a visit to this breathtaking facility.

Here are Babst’s thoughts on our six-question Corona Premier Property survey.

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Highlander Golf Course

2920 8th St. SE • East Wenatchee, WA 98802

(509) 884-4653 • highlandergc.com

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A Bucket with Head Pro • Mark Babst

Toughest Tee Shot 17th hole

I feel like always the first tee shot is the toughest, but hole No. 17 has a lot of intimidation. Thinking you can play it safe and use the hillside will sometimes end up with a ball in the canyon or stuck on the hillside and you are in for a hike to get it.

Best Birdie Opportunity — 13th hole

If you are looking for a birdie, No. 13 comes to mind. It has a generous fairway and the tee shot plays downhill. It’s a good way to see a little red on the scorecard.

Best Par 3 — 9th hole

The ninth hole is our signature hole. It’s a beautiful tee shot that covers the canyon overlooking the valley and the Columbia River below with the clubhouse perched above.

Favorite Hole — 5th hole

My favorite hole is No. 5. It was a shorter downhill simple par 5, but last year we incorporated a pond in front of the green that now requires a player to have a much more calculated second shot, or they are forced to lay up and hit a wedge over the new water feature. We were tired of hearing how easy that hole was in the past. Ha!

Emergency Nine — front or back? 

The front nine for sure: three par 3s, three par 4s and three par 5s. It’s a great balance of fun and challenge.

Go-To Lunch Item on the clubhouse menu

I like to go with the wings, but the turkey bacon sandwich is a hit among members.

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