Road Trip Golf

This week I took a trip to Portland, Oregon, and was able to take advantage of the fantastic weather to slip in my first nine holes of the year (actually, my first 13 holes of the year) on Tuesday afternoon. My buddy Ralph and I teed off on the Great Blue Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. layout at Heron Lakes in Portland.

Ralph chips one close.

The course is pretty wide open, with a lot of water, rolling hills and fast greens. There are not a lot of trees that come into play. It's a fun layout that is reasonably priced and with a very friendly staff. It's a pretty course, too, with the back nine featuring impressive (and gorgeous) views of Mount Hood 45 miles distant.

I shot a 51 on the front (mid season form!), striking my drives well and struggling a bit with my short game (mid season form!). Although I had to cut my round short due to dinner obligations, it was a lot of fun to get out. I would definitely recommend Heron Lakes to anybody playing in the Portland, OR area.

Mt. Hood looms.