ABOUT US

COURSE VIDEO

Welcome to Gearhart Golf LinKS

Legend has it that Gearhart Golf Links began life in about 1888, starting out as three holes of true links-style golf amongst the seaside meadows that characterize the North Oregon coast. Golf, somewhat new to the U.S., came to Gearhart by way of visitors to the bustling resort who had experienced the game in Europe and found Gearhart’s meadows the perfect setting. By 1892, golf was a regular pastime for guests of the Hotel Gearhart on the three-hole course just across the street. With this history, Gearhart Golf Links is The Oldest Golf Course West of the Mississippi River and shares the early spotlight with such courses as Victoria Golf Club (1893), Tacoma Country and Golf Club (1894) and Del Monte Golf Club (1897). From its original three holes, Gearhart Golf Links has stayed true to its Scottish roots and offers a pleasurable round (now 18 holes) for all golfers. To this day, the course retains that classic links-style flavor, with a hint of traditional Northwest design features.  A rich history, but with an eye to a glorious future. Golf itself boasts a long and mythical residency in Gearhart, appearing almost from the moment nails were being pounded into boards to build Gearharts first homes. Much of our colorful past is on display throughout the property in the form of historic photos and original paintings created by artists Olivia Behm, Kolieha Bush, Joe Cotter, Lyle Hehn, Jennifer Joyce, Isaka Sham Su Din, and Myrna Yoder. Artists have created colorful murals depicting the history of the Gearhart region, the golf course, and The Kelly House. Our stalwart historians are on the case, researching and gathering stories about the property and notable characters in the area. Have something to share? Gearhart welcomes historical information, photographs, and archives. Click here for more information on our history!

The Sittin’ Seagulls – a silly little bit of history at Gearhart Golf Links.

The Sittin’ Seagulls Tournaments (1959-68) stand as the most unorthodox golf events held at Gearhart. It wasn’t really even about golf — it was about people coming together, having fun, doing silly (even surreal) things on and around the golf course. Each year, a different theme was selected and participants dressed accordingly: Hawaiian, pirate, kilt-wearing Scots, Spanish bullfighters, etc. Parties erupted in the Sand Trap and across the street at the grand, old Hotel Gearhart. Golf was played, sometimes of a high quality, more often a laughable one, prompted by trick holes, dummy flags and a refreshment-cart-toting mule named Egad! This festival of life, food, drink and golf was a huge hit…..and has been re-Established and is now part of our full Tournament Schedule!

COURSE LAYOUT

“Gearhart Golf Links is a wonderful golf course with a fun variety of links-style holes and small, fast greens. The layout is friendly for both carts and walkers. The beautiful rolling links property is the perfect setting for our very unique Scottish feeling club house.”                              – Jason Bangild, PGA General Manager / Director of Golf

What can we expect at the first tee, Jason?

“The first hole is a welcoming start. A solid tee shot avoiding 4 fairway bunkers will leave you a short iron to an open fronted green.”

What is the best par-5 on the course?

“Number 18 is a great finishing hole and very fun to play — crazy long at 640 yards, it’s a winding, uphill hole with the beautiful Kelly House as the backdrop.”

What is the best par-3 on the course?

“Number 11 can stretch back to 262 yards, with an ominous complex of bunkers guarding the green on the right; 3 is a great score.”

What is the toughest hole on the golf course?

“Number 18 gets a lot of attention, but #5 is the toughest hole under 400 yards due to a perfectly-placed water hazard and twisting fairway. “Number 12 is the toughest par-4 over 400 yards for it’s tee shot out of a chute and well guarded, elevated green.” 

Club Cultures:

Gearhart Golf Links is a 4-hour golf course. You will be asked to keep pace with the group in front of you, and allow faster groups to play through at the earliest opportunity. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased from The Sand Trap Pub, Pot Bunker, or Sand Bar (brand new, next the the 9th Tee!).

Most of all, have fun!

Does Gearhart Golf Links sound like the kind of course you’d like to be a member of? We’d sure like to have you! For membership information, click here or give us a call at (503) 738-3538.

THE OLDEST COURSE IN THE WEST

The “Oldest Course” question is one of those that can be answered in so many ways– does that mean that some of the holes still exist, does it mean oldest “club” though the club may have switched courses, does it mean still in existence, continuous operation, etc.   As part of our research, we interviewed several historians, including Jeff Wallach who pointed us to the attached article by Jim Healey (click here). It is an interesting read and certainly backs our claim that Gearhart Golf Links is indeed the Oldest Golf Course west of the Mississippi River!

Sure, brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin may have started out with one humble pub back in 1974, but that’s not all they do. Along with brewing beer, distilling spirits, opening hotels and vinting wine, their focus has expanded through the years to include a little bit about this, that and the other. Because why not? Set in the coastal resort town of Gearhart, just five miles north of Seaside, the Gearhart Hotel and Sand Trap pub grace the gorgeous greens of the Gearhart Golf Links, an 18-hole public course that is the oldest west of the Mississippi. The Sand Trap is a great place to while away an afternoon at the coast. Stop by for a casual meal before or after a round of golf. Check out our schedule of live, free music. Have a cocktail or two outside on the patio or next to the firepit. Or ask for a meal to go and take it across the street to enjoy on the beach (and don’t forget a bottle of Edgefield wine or a 4-pack of McMenamins ales!). Along with the pub that seats 120 (plus an additional 100 outdoor seats overlooking the greens), McMenamins offers refreshments on the golf course along with special wedding and meeting spaces — and we’re accepting bookings. The Gearhart Hotel is a unique, romantic and fun venue for your party/meeting needs. The Livingstone’s room opens onto a covered patio and lawn area beyond overlooking the golf course. It is located on the first floor of the building, can accommodate 120 guests, with another 24 on the covered patio. The room can also be divided in half for more intimate parties. Our event spaces rent based on food and beverage minimums. This means that as long as a minimum dollar amount is spent on food and beverages catered by the Gearhart Hotel, there is no charge for the event space. We provide all indoor tables and chairs, linens, dishes, silverware, set up, catering service including bartending, break down and clean up. The Gearhart Hotel has 18 rooms (with 16 more under construction!) all with bathrooms and TVs for your guests. If you have any questions please feel free to call a member of the McMenamins Team at  (503) 717-8150. We look forward to assisting you in making your event a special and unique day that you and your guests will always remember! Click here to visit Mcmenamins website.

SCORECARD

You won’t believe the “new” Gearhart Golf Links!

When Gearhart Golf Links first opened, there were no trees on the course at all. It resembled the treeless, gorse and heather-lined links courses of Scotland. Recently we’ve completed a program to restore GGL’s true links character and identity by removing the majority of the interior trees. The result is incredible. The Shore Pines on the course (90% of the trees), were planted after the Depression as a work relief program. This species has a 50 to 60 year life span. Now in their 7th decade, Gearhart’s trees were dead or dying. With each passing storm, we would lose limbs or entire trees, so in the interest of safety, we were happy to remove the trees. What we’ve been delighted to discover is how normal and natural Gearhart GL looks in its restored state.The natural rolling dunescape is no longer disguised by trees marching in formation down the edges of the fairways. The views from the tees now take in not simply a single hole but the panorama of the golf course. Removing the trees has made the course seem larger. Without trees determining the playing corridors, players now have options off the tee, the prospect of finding different angles for approach shots, and a chance to use both ground and aerial tactics around the greens….the true essence of Links Golf. We are very excited! The fairway and collection area mow lines have been adjusted, as they are no longer bound by cart paths or trees. As is the case with other golf courses that have taken on tree removal programs, the turf grass quality will improve from greater airflow and sun exposure, as well as from the removal of larger tree root systems. Areas that will need resurfacing will be seeded with Fescue, which will provide firm, fast surfaces. Most of all, the playing experience will go from that of a pretty little Parkland Course, to a fast, unique, interesting, and really fun Links Golf Course! Special thanks the Keith Keranen Excavating for the terrific and efficient work with this extra large project! (pictured are Keith Keranan on the left, and former GGL Assistant Superintendent Jack Brock on the right)

DESIGN CONSULTANT – JOHN STRAWN

In 2013, Gearhart Golf Links asked John Strawn, then the president of Hills & Forrest, International Golf Course Architects, to advise us on our plans for tree removal and course improvements. Even though Hills & Forrest is based in Ohio, John is a Portland resident who’s been involved in course design since the 1980s, both as a partner in golf design firms and as a writer about golf and course design issues. As someone who was already familiar with Gearhart, John was an excellent resource for us, and will continue to provide assistance as we “Polish the Gem” that is Gearhart Golf Links.   John had been a partner at what was called Arthur Hills, Steve Forrest and Associates between   1991 and 2000, before joining the renowned design firm Robert Trent Jones II (RTJII). While CEO of RTJII, John was present for the creation of such celebrated courses as Sweden’s Bro Hof Slott, Denmark’s Lubker Golf Resort, and most importantly Chambers Bay, where the 2015 US Open was be held. In 2012, he rejoined his former firm, now known as Hills & Forrest, where Steve Forrest, former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, is chairman and chief designer. Forrest was a leading character in Strawn’s classic account of the design and building of Ironhorse Golf Course, Driving the Green. (HarperCollins, 1991) “It’s been a real joy for me to see Gearhart taking its place again among the Pacific Northwest’s premier golf experiences,” Strawn said. “Working with Tim Boyle, Jason Bangild and Forrest Goodling has been rewarding, because they’re all so passionate about Gearhart and so committed to doing right by the course, its members and the larger community of golf. I know golfers are going to love what they see, especially if it’s been a while since they last played Gearhart.”  In 2016, John became a Director at Global Golf Advisors, the world’s leading golf business consultancy.  Feel free to contact John directly at john@johnstrawn.com or at 503-360-5644.

GEARHART GOLF LINKS & CARNE GOLF LINKS

Gearhart Golf Links on Oregon’s north Pacific coast is the oldest course in the western United States. Carne Golf Links (Click here to view website) in County Mayo is the newest of the great links courses scattered along Ireland’s west coast, having opened its first nine for play in 1992, one hundred years after the first shots flew and bounced across Gearhart’s dunes. Now, these two celebrated courses—one with a rich history, the other with a robust future–have linked hands to form a unique sister course relationship, recognizing their shared affinity for golf as a conduit to friendship and community. No place in the USA resembles the green charm of Ireland more than the Pacific Northwest, which moves to the center of the golf universe in 2015 when for the very first time the US Open is held on a Northwest course—Washington state’s Chambers Bay. The long axis of Pacific coast links golf stretching from Chambers Bay to Bandon Dunes goes through Gearhart, which is both a cornerstone in the founding of Northwest golf and a strong pillar in sustaining its future. Beginning in 2015, members of Gearhart Golf Links will be honorary members of Carne, and Carne members will enjoy honorary privileges at Gearhart. Gearhart’s unique sister-course relationship with Carne Golf Links will foster an enduring union between golfers in Oregon and Ireland. Built on slightly more than 100 acres and playing at just over 6550 yards, Gearhart Golf Links was established in 1892, and thus predates the USGA, which was founded in 1896. Gearhart’s current routing was laid out in the 1920s by the great early American golf champion Chandler Egan, who moved to Oregon from Chicago right before WWI. In addition to winning two US Amateurs and a team gold medal at the 1904 Olympics, Egan established himself as a leading west coast golf course designer. Egan’s design portfolio included almost twenty new courses and numerous re-designs, such as his reworking of Gearhart. Collaborating with Alister MacKenzie and Robert Hunter, who was also Egan’s teammate on the winning US Olympic team, he helped re-design of Pebble Beach Golf Course in advance of the 1929 US Amateur Tournament. Carne Golf Course was the last links golf course designed by the late Eddie Hackett, the long-time professional at Portmarnock whose role in Irish golf design echoes Egan’s work in the Pacific Northwest. A portrait of Hackett hangs in Carne’s clubhouse, honoring the man who was able to envision Carne’s arresting green sites and winding fairways tucked into the formidable dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay. In 2013, a third nine was opened at Carne, weaving among the original holes and facilitating a combination course, adding to the pleasure and complexity of Carne Links. Visitors to Carne are surprised to discover that a course almost unknown outside of Ireland is among the greatest links courses in the world. Gearhart has undergone a several year remodeling under the watchful eye of John Strawn, of Hills and Forrest International Golf Course Architects, to bring the course back to its original links style. Trees were removed and several of the holes were lengthened and modified to bring the course up to 6551 yards. Gearhart is meticulously maintained by Forrest Goodling’s staff of professional groundskeepers, and the entire operation is managed by Jason Banglid, PGA, professional.

NOTABLE ARTICLES

We have been fortunate to have some nice articles written about the Links over the last few years. Here are a few of our favorites:

GOLF Magazine Article: Click here

Puttering Around the World Blog: Click here

Coast Weekend Article: Click here

Golf Digest Article: Click here                                       

LINKS Magazine Article – Top 10 Courses YOU Can Play: Click here

Oregon Lifestyle and Home Article: Click here

Great Northwest Wine Article: Click here

Bellingham Golfer Article: Click here

LINKS Magazine Article 2018 – Polishing a Gem: Click here