Well that was a pleasant surprise! Who would have thought I’d find such a nice course in a RV Park? So is Lewis & Clark Golf and RV Park a golf course with and attached RV Park, or a RV Park with an accompanying golf course? Let’s take a stroll around the facility and see if I can answer this question.
Standing on the tee box at Hole #1, I felt like Meriwether Lewis. I had no clue where the green was located at this 254 yard (white) par 4. I continued to peer into the distance using the scorecard as my visual. Still not finding it, I went to my bag and pulled out my new navigational tools – sextant, octant, and chronometer. Not knowing how to use any of these, I just hit and hoped. Once I carried both peninsulas (and surrounding water), and found the middle of the fairway, there it was appearing out of nowhere. Now I know how Lewis and Clark felt when seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. There is a large tree on the right side of the fairway that will block the green from view while standing on the tee box. I’ve done the hard work..it is out there over that tree!
I felt as though Sacagawea was needed as my caddie as I pondered what to do at Hole #2. This 365 yard par 4 has a 90 degree dogleg to the right, but you first have to hit your drive over a rivulet that runs through the course. It was another “hit and hope” shot that again somehow found the middle of the fairway. For those of you who are faint of heart, the red tee box does not have to carry any water. Once you find the fairway, its a long, straight shot to the flag. It’s an interesting and fun hole!
Hole #3 is a straight par 4 of 291 yards with a fairway tree that could cause a botheration even with a good tee shot. At the fourth hole you find a par 4 with a dogleg to the right. This is a fun risk/reward hole as the bend in the fairway is only guarded by large native grasses and not large trees. Hole #5 is a par 3 of 166 yards. A large tree to the front left of the teeing area has limbs that are starting to encroach into a straight shot to the flag. Now is the time to test the draw shot you have been practicing.
The only trouble at Hole #6 is the high native grass to the right , and the fact that this par 3 is 218 yards. Maybe I should be hitting from the red tees at this hole, but they are no bargain at 187 yards. The saving grace here is that the green is enormous. Another risk/reward decision faces you at the seventh hole. A short par 4 of 268 yards with a dogleg right. High grass and water to the right are obstacles to coming up short for those who dare to “go for it”.
It can be a little perplexing trying to find the eighth hole if you are playing the course for the first time. Upon exiting the 7th green, you will find a little pathway between the two bodies of water, and then it’s right next to hole #3. It’s a par 4 with a dogleg to the right, but once again the green is nowhere in sight. This may be the most difficult hole on the course. About two-thirds of the way down the fairway there is a creek to negotiate, so my best advice is to aim at the red pole in the distance and land just short of that marker. Hole #9 is a par 4 of 324 yards with a dogleg to the right. The fairway is large; however, any wild shots to the left and right will find water. I was on the green in three with a tricky, downhill putt for par. As the ball hit the bottom of the cup, a voice from the RV Park yelled “nice par”. My gallery of one watched as I somehow hit four quality shots to finish at four over for the day.
Rating – Birdie (42 out of 60): Today it was more a RV Park than Golf Course since I was the only one out there enjoying this fun course. The track was in excellent shape with some good twists and turns, and a nice combination of threes and fours on this par 34 course. There is a scarcity of amenities and the “clubhouse” is the same for both golf and RV reservations. I thought $48 was a little much for golf and cart, but I always like to support small businesses. The course had been closed for a time, but if you are an RV and golfing enthusiast I highly recommend playing this fun track.
92294 Youngs River Rd., Astoria, OR 97103; 503-338-3386; www.AstoriaOregonRVPark.com
