The greater Spokane area is possibly the most underrated golf-rich territory on the inland Northwest. The city and county courses alone have plenty to offer, including modern designs, economical “muni’s” and historic layouts that rival some of the best public tracks in the nation. A number of first-class resort courses are also making waves in regional and national golf circles. Deer Park, for example, has a successful residential development and popular RV park. Other favorite area tracks include Trailhead (a quaint executive 9-hole course near the Idaho border), Wandermere (a par-70 track that opened back in 1929), and Meadow Wood, based out of the Liberty Lake area.
Meadow Wood actually makes a good example of the quality and variety of golf you can expect in this area. It is mostly open in appearance, but the rough that borders the fairways is extremely long and thick. There are some trees, sand bunkers and water hazards coming into play throughout the entire course. Golf Digest has rated this course as one of the state’s top 10 public courses. The front nine is slightly mounded, and the back nine features two large hills on the finishing holes. The greens are large, undulating and have medium speed. (The signature hole is No. 16, a 607-yard, par 5, playing uphill all the way to the green, which is protected by a large sand bunker in front.)
For more details on all the Spokane-area facilities, your best bet is the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. The bureau’s golf portal is www.golfinspokane.com.