PENDLETON — Golf courses in Eastern Oregon tend to be lush, green, and offer many challenges. The hardest part of playing a round is choosing which course to play.

The area offers six 18-hole courses, and seven 9-hole courses. Some come with breathtaking mountain views, while others offer a few unexpected twists and turns. None will break the bank.

At the Golf Course at Birch Creek, golfers will find one of the oldest courses in the area has undergone a change of ownership and some improvements.

Previously known as the Pendleton Country Club, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation bought the course in March 2019.

Improvements to the pro shop, dining room, bar, RV parking and the swimming pool are finished or are in the works.

What hasn’t changed is the layout of the course, which has been around since 1929.

“It has good bones to it,” said Phil Lagao, the grounds superintendent for Wildhorse and Birch Creek. “We haven’t changed anything routing wise or structural wise. What we have done is put our maintenance plan that we have at Wildhorse in action there. It just needed some TLC.”

The greens at Birch Creek are a mix of bluegrass and bentgrass, while the fairways are annual bluegrass.

“I have a great crew out there,” Lagao said. “We used our connections with vendors to get some new equipment. It makes life easier when you have the proper tools.”

A round of golf with a cart will run you $50 Friday-Sunday, and is $5 cheaper during the week. If you want to get your steps in, you are welcome to walk the course. Tee times are encouraged.

The longest and most challenging hole is the par 5 No. 15 at 599 yards, while No. 6 is a fun little 150-yard par 3.

“We have been pretty busy,” assistant golf pro Scott Marcum said. “Golf really took off with the COVID thing because it was all we were allowed to do.”

While daily golf was good, tournament action was scaled back because of COVID in 2020.

This year, the tournaments are back, along with play-and-stay packages at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

“Our marketing people have done a really good job of making this a destination place,” Marcum said.

18 Holes

BIG RIVER

705 Willamette Ave., Umatilla

Par: 70 / Yardage: 5,955

Phone: 541-922-3006

The mighty Columbia gives this course its name, and after reaching the first green you’ll understand why — three holes overlook Lake Umatilla behind McNary Dam. The course, which opened in 1968, is relaxed, with several chip shot pins, four par 5s and two lengthy doglegs. It’s a good place to learn the game or play a quick round, with forgiving greens and gentle hazards, and walking is an option.

BUFFALO PEAK

1224 E. Fulton Street, Union

Par: 72 / Yardage: 6,467

Phone: 541-562-5527

On the edge of Union not far from La Grande, Buffalo Peak represents the wilderness of the Northwest while offering the refined precision of a well-maintained course. Don’t spend too much time gazing at the beauty of the Grande Ronde Valley, split by the Wallowa and Blue mountain ranges, or you’ll miss a spectacular course.

GOLF COURSE AT BIRCH CREEK

69772 S. Highway 395, Pendleton

Par: 72 / Yardage: 6,394

Phone: 541-966-1655

The oldest course in the county opened in 1929, and was a private course until 2014. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation bought the course in May 2019. Take advantage and discover the well-groomed fairways and greens. Don’t worry about Little McKay Creek winding its way through the course — it only comes into play once. Hole No. 15 is a 599-yard par 5 challenge, while No. 6 is an easy 150-yard par 3. If you’re looking to make it a family outing, there is a junior rate for kids.

MILTON-FREEWATER GOLF COURSE

301 Catherine Ave., Milton-Freewater

Par: 60 / Yardage: 3,346

Phone: 541-938-7284

There’s no quicker 18 holes in Umatilla County, with par 3s and 4s giving beginners a place to learn the game and more advanced amateurs an enjoyable game. The course is relatively flat on the front nine, but steep on the back nine, which is about 300 feet above the front nine, offers a panoramic view of the Walla Walla Valley.

QUAIL RIDGE

2801 Indiana Avenue, Baker City

Par: 70 / Yardage: 5,994

Phone: 541-523-2358

A golf course with a bit of history, Quail Ridge was incorporated in 1937. In 1999, award-winning course architect Bill Robinson designed a second nine holes. The greens are fast and true and the course offers views of the Elkhorn and Wallowa mountain ranges. The course is open every day between April and November.

WILDHORSE

72787 Hwy 331, Pendleton

Par: 72 / Yardage: 7,112

Phone: 541-276-5588

The Blue Mountains overlook this top-flight course that was designed by John Steidel. On a clear day you won’t find a more picturesque round of golf in hundreds of miles. It’s a well-rounded 18 holes, neither overwhelming for beginners nor too soft for veteran golfers. The five lakes that dot the course don’t impede play until the pesky 16th, which tests one’s ability to lob the ball over the water and onto the green — or go around, if you’re not up for the challenge.

9 holes

ALPINE MEADOWS

66098 Golf Course Road, Enterprise

Par: 36 / Yardage: 3,039

Phone: 541-426-3246

The course is more than 90 years old, and like all of Wallowa County, it’s timeless. There’s a lake, a stream and the beautiful mountains as a backdrop. Several of the fairways border a meandering Trout Creek. If you stop by, ask about the stray B-24 bomber that used the course in 1944 as a landing strip. Open April 15 to Oct. 15.

CHINA CREEK

Highway 19, Arlington

Par: 34 / Yardage: 2,627

Phone: 541-454-2000

If you love the way Wildhorse looks and plays, make the time to play Arlington’s city-owned course. The two share a designer, John Steidel, who also crafted Canyon Lakes in Kennewick, Washington. It’s as challenging a 9-hole course as you’ll find in this part of the state, and you’ll want to rent a cart and play through twice to get the most out of the experience. There are four sets of tees for different skill levels. Wind can kick up at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge, but on a calm day you’ll feel like you discovered a golf secret.

CONDON GOLF COURSE

North Lincoln Street, Condon

Par: 36 / Yardage: 3,111

Phone: 541-384-2711

Load up the big clubs and get ready to drive. The Condon municipal course doesn’t have a single trick up its sleeve, and laughs in the face of target courses. Every green seems out of range and challenges even the most seasoned golfer to hit long approach shots to make par. At $10 a round or $15 for all day, you won’t get more swings in for the price of admission outside of a driving range.

ECHO HILLS

400 Golf Course Rd., Echo

Par: 36 / Yardage: 2,884

Phone: 541-376-8244

The city-owned course, which first opened in 1933, is quite possibly the best bang for the buck in Eastern Oregon — a round will cost you $16 ($18 on the weekends). Play it through twice and you’ll come to love the elevation changes, and the long holes rival any you’ll find nearby. Even the best players can’t say they’ve mastered the disappearing green of the sixth hole. Open year around, seven days a week.

JOHN DAY GOLF CLUB

27631 Golf Club Lane, John Day

Par: 37 / Yardage: 2,930

Phone: 541-575-0170

Two sets of tee boxes make for a fresh 18-hole experience. But don’t think this is a walk in the park — the greens are small, so bring your A game with the wedge or plan for a bogey party. The greens are bentgrass and the fairways are buffalo. Tee times are welcomed, but not mandatory.

WILLOW CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

53736 Highway 74, Heppner

Par: 30 / Yardage: 1,750

Phone: 541-676-5437

Willow Creek is a semi-private course that opened in 1954. It’s open to golfers visiting from outside Morrow County. There are only nine greens but 18 tee boxes, making a second playthrough worth the time. Willow Creek weaves through the course, getting involved with play six times in a round. At $12 a round, it’s worth the drive.

WILLOW RUN

78873 Toms Camp Road, Boardman

Par: 31 / Yardage: 1,803

Phone: 541-481-4381

The quintessential executive golf course, every pin is within reach of any shot from a seasoned golfer and beginners can stay close behind. The greens offer no surprises and the fairways are well-maintained. Open from March-November.