Originally Posted by
DeathVan
I have a hard time calling it RedTail, it will always be Progress to me. I think they did a good job when they re-did the course (specifically the back nine -now the front nine- years ago)
before that it was pretty marginal on the the backside (nearer the range)
Bang for the buck I think the best options are:
-Progress / RedTail (fair, not too punishing, wide open),
-Eastmoreland (I really like this course, lot's of variety to the front and back),
-Great Blue at Heron Lakes (never played the Green, get out there on the Blue it is probably the prettiest and most challenging of all the city courses),
-Glendoveer (old school, love the huge trees, pretty easy as there is basically no rough)
some others that are worth exploring
-Quail Valley (out in Banks, nice design and a fun course, worth the trip)
-Colwood and Broadmoor (both cheap and empty, not real challenging courses, but nice walks, both out north on Columbia Blvd)
-Kilarney West (near and like McKay, kinda shitty, but something different and definitely cheap)
-there are also some fun courses out on the coast and towards Hood that we used to make a day of, some worth it others not (I'll elaborate if you'd like)
I was lucky and grew up playing a lot with my grandpa, I worked at Portland GC and had friends working at other clubs so I also got to play most of the private courses in the area as well, if you can, go out if you're ever invited. Then worked out at Black Butte in college as a greenkeeper (we kept it all green, not just the greens) and played most all of central Oregon both private and public as well as the coast during those summers, such fun times, I reminisce about those times and my handicap back then...
DO NOT worry about your skills not being up to snuff, absolute hacks play every course everyday, get out there and go for it! you might be surprised what you can do with a positive attitude and a relaxed swing.
Where are you heading to? even a fancy club has a range and a chipping and putting green (just gear up like a rich dude and act the part, asking questions of whether people belong or not is often frowned upon by management).
-I too will be away for the summer and won't play until August, leaving in 11 days.
edit: I should have mentioned Lakeview Par 3 Golf Challenge right on Vancouver Lake,
the "Hardest Par 3 Course in the World"-as stated by the Guinness Book
-Absolutely a hoot, bring extra balls and have a few beers, you get to go for some of the craziest shots there