Widgi Creek Golf Club: A Local Favorite in Beautiful Bend, Oregon
Widgi offers a reasonable challenge, good conditions, and some memorable holes at a great price.
Bend, OR
Skiers from Bend will know Widgi as the golf course you pass on the way from town to Mount Bachelor, one of the largest ski resorts in the country. It only takes 10 minutes to get to Widgi from downtown Bend, and Widgi is even closer to Tetherow, one of the best publicly-accessible golf courses in the country. Widgi can't stack up against Tetherow's views and thrilling links-style golf, but there's no doubt that Widgi is the best course close to Bend with greens fees at or less than $125 per round.
Widgi is a parkland course, with dense trees dominating the landscape and consistently threatening shots that spray left or right. If you end up in the trees, chances are you'll have to punch out. Water also plays a role in about a quarter of the holes, though it's rare that you're forced to carry much of it – it's more of a presence that can add some intimidation to your tee shot and may cause you to rethink your club selection.
Widgi isn't overly challenging – if you play this course after playing Tetherow, it will feel like a walk in the park – but the combination of relatively narrow fairways on most holes and the dense trees that surround them should lead many golfers to keep the driver in the bag and opt for a fairway wood or long iron to stay out of trouble.
For a course that maxes out around $125 for a round, Widgi has its fair share of beauty and challenge, and it's maintained well (aside from some gopher holes that you may find during your round). You won't find a better value within 30 minutes of downtown Bend.
Hole 5: Par 3
This is a beautiful, short par 3. It's only the 17th handicapped hole on the course, but if you miss the green off the tee, chances are you'll have a challenging up and down. The green is framed by bunkers in front, trees behind it, and a steep drop-off behind it and to its right. A pin placement on the left side of this green is a gift.
Hole 7: Par 5
Widgi boasts a few memorable par 5s, and Hole 7 is one of them. Off the slightly elevated tee, it presents a narrow fairway with water to the right. If you hit an excellent drive, you may be tempted to go for the green in two, but beware – the green is protected by water jutting in from the right side, and there's only a sliver of fairway to the left of the green for the ball to roll up. Most golfers will lay up on the second shot and be pleased with par.
Hole 17: Par 5
This is my favorite hole on the course, even though it's one of the hardest. A strong drive will help make this hole more manageable, but water lurks on the right from the tee. The green is the most protected on the course, with water on the right, bunkers on the left, and trees surrounding three sides. The only angle for you to attack this green is from directly in front of it.
Tips For Your Round
