Sunriver Meadows: A Friendly and Convenient Resort Course
The most accessible course at Sunriver trades drama for convenience, but still delivers an enjoyable round.
Sunriver, OR
Meadows opened in 2005 and plays to a par of 71, with just one par 5 on the front nine and two on the back. Of the three courses at Sunriver Resort, this is the friendliest for amateurs, and also the most convenient course to get to if you're staying at the resort. The first tee sits a short walk from the back of the Sunriver Lodge, making it the natural choice when you want golf without much logistics standing between you and the first swing.
Mountain views show up sporadically in the round, but Meadows feels more residential than Crosswater or Woodlands, and lacks the drama those courses provide. You'll likely share the morning with families of bikers cruising the resort's miles of paved trails.
Compared to Crosswater, Meadows asks much less of you. There's less carry required off the tees, with only occasional whiffs of marsh instead of being surrounded by it. This is a resort course in the best sense of the term: approachable, scenic, and built for golfers of a wide range of skill levels rather than testing the single-digit handicaps.
That accessibility comes with a tradeoff. Meadows doesn't have the singular character of the heathland-style Crosswater or the parkland feel of Woodlands. Fewer holes here stand out as memorable on their own. But for what it's designed to do – which is deliver an easy, enjoyable round close to where you're staying – it does its job well.
Hole 9, Par 4
Hole 9 is the most challenging hole on the course, and it announces itself right away. The tee shot requires a carry over brush. You'll want to favor the left side of the fairway. Bunkers sit in the middle of the fairway, and shots that drift right are flirting with real danger, with only a sliver of fairway separating those bunkers from a creek that hugs the right side of the hole.
The green is guarded by a bunker on the front left and the same creek on the right. As you putt out, don't be surprised if you've picked up an audience. The lodge cabins sit just off the green to the right, and guests staying there get a front row seat to your read. Once you're through, pass by the Lodge for a quick drink or snack before heading to the back nine.
Hole 15 — Par 4
The tee shot on 15 plays to a fairly narrow fairway, but isn't particularly demanding on its own. The real test comes on the approach, where bunkers alternate between the left and right sides as you work toward the green. It creates a kind of rhythm of danger, where almost any miss has a bunker waiting nearby to collect it.
The hole rewards precision over power. It’s a reminder that Meadows can still ask real questions of your iron play even without overwhelming hazards.
Hole 18 — Par 4
The closing hole is one of the most memorable on the course. The tee shot funnels into a narrow landing area, but beyond that there isn't much trouble off the tee. The real factor is the water on the left, which becomes increasingly relevant as you move into the approach.
A strong drive opens up the option to carry your approach shot entirely over land, avoiding the water altogether. Anything short of that, and you may need to carry a portion of the water on the left with a more precise shot to stay clear of trouble. It's a fitting way to close the round.
Tips For Your Round