Crosswater Golf Course: Sunriver Resort's Crown Jewel

In the triad of 18-hole courses at family-friendly Sunriver Resort, Crosswater stands above the rest.

Overview

Family-oriented Sunriver Resort boasts three 18-hole courses – Crosswater, Meadows, and Woodlands – in a picturesque Central Oregon setting. All three courses are within a 10 minute drive of one another, but they have surprisingly distinct personalities. I'll review Meadows and Woodlands in future posts, but in the meantime, here's a quick guide on how to choose which course to play:

• If you want the least challenging and most convenient course (closest to the main lodge) at a reasonable rate, play Meadows

• If you love parkland courses and want a walk through the woods, play Woodlands

• If you want to play the most memorable and distinct course at the resort (and one of the best publicly-accessible courses in the country) and aren't worried about paying more, play Crosswater

There's a reason Crosswater finds itself in Top 100 Public Courses lists every year, while its sister courses at Sunriver rarely (if ever) make the cut. Meadows and Woodlands are both enjoyable, and I'd still recommend anyone staying at or near Sunriver try to fit them into their golf itineraries, but Crosswater's combination of beauty, challenge, and uniqueness clearly set it apart.

As the name suggests, the course crosses water on seemingly every hole, and part of the distinctness of the course is the old wooden bridges that you often traverse after your tee shot or to get to the next hole. Many times, especially when crossing those bridges, you'll want to stop to enjoy the scenery or pull out your phone to capture the moment.

The prevalence of water also contributes to the challenge of the course. But it's not just water – a mix of water, marsh, trees, and/or bunkers come into play on every hole. You'll enjoy a lot of natural beauty off the tee, but the beautiful marshland in front of you is often what you need to carry to land the ball safely. Greens are heavily protected on multiple sides, making for challenging approach shots that reward accuracy and punish mishits. Once you land it on the green, putting is the most straight-forward aspect of the course.

So what's not to love about Crosswater? The price. While I'd expect a course of this quality and condition to easily cost over $200, a round at Crosswater in the main season is priced at $350 for Sunriver Resort guests.

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Highlights

Hole 5 ("Little Deschutes"): Par 4, 460 Yards

This is the #1 handicapped hole on the course, and it's visually intimidating off the tee. You have to carry the Little Deschutes River, which winds in front of you and then down the left side of the fairway, into a tight fairway that's angled 45º to the left. If you make it safely off the tee, you still have a challenging approach with marsh on the left and a narrow runway to the green that requires you to land it on the green to avoid trouble. If you make par on this hole, pat yourself on the back –then get ready for the next one.

Hole 6 ("Cupp Crossin"): Par 5, 635 Yards

After you make it through Hole 5, you're rewarded with spectacular views from the next tee box. From the 6th tee, the fairway is framed by Mount Bachelor and Broken Top, and it's relatively wide and welcoming. Once again, you need to carry the Little Deschutes River off the tee. There's a dual fairway on the left, but the left-hand path will give you a more challenging approach to the green and require you to clear large bunkers. This tabletop green is heavily guarded. Walking off this hole with a par is a good outcome.

Hole 12 ("Endless"): Par 5, 687 Yards

Yes, you read that yardage right – this hole is called "Endless" for a reason. The photo above is my second shot after a 250-yard drive, with over 300 yards left to the green. If you're playing from the back tees, you may need to carry water that runs up the entire left side of the hole. As long as you can avoid the drink, this hole presents relatively fewer hazards than you'll find on most at Crosswater. Just keep it long and straight!

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Verdict

It comes at a high price tag, but Crosswater lives up to the hype with a unique set of holes and a healthy balance of fun and challenge. Traversing its bridges while surrounded by lush marshlands and greenery create a golf experience you won't soon forget.

Memorable 4/5

Replayable 4/5

Value 2.5/5

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About

Location Sunriver, OR

Yardage 7,683

Architect Bob Cupp

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Tips

• Crosswater is available to play for members, member guests, and Sunriver Resort guests. Unlike the other courses at Sunriver, Crosswater is not available to play as part of the Sunriver Golf Club, which includes a "day pass" option. So if you're not a Crosswater member or guest of a member, you will need to stay at the resort to play Crosswater.

• Sunriver Resort offers a Crosswater Golf Package as part of its Stay & Play deals. If you're planning to play a lot of golf, these packages are usually a great option.

• There is a helpful hole-by-hole course tour available on Crosswater's web site.

• Stay tuned to this site for the Golf & Gizmos review of Sunriver Resort, with recommendations on activities and dining options at the resort.

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Photos