Situated a little more than a mile from downtown Bend, on the eastern side of the Deschutes National Forest and the Cascade Mountains, ( Oregon) nestles the ever-popular Broken Top Club. Designed by the architectural duo of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, Broken Top opened its tees for play in 1993 – the same year the duo’s celebrated Loch Lomond course burst onto the golfing scene.
Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, Broken Top’s golf course blends traditional design elements with modern routings, bunkers and green complexes.
The opening hole is a teaser of a par 4, only 353 yards, that doglegs left around two crucial bunkers. It is the first of a handful of partially blind tee shots, designed not to confuse but to make a golfer think. The opening stretch of holes is routed through dense stands of pine and cedar trees.
The pick of the holes are on the outward half and the dogleg 7th is perhaps the toughest par four at the Broken Top Club. Measuring 468 yards from the black tees, it requires a precision tee shot on the line of the fairway bunker in order to setup an easier approach shot to a narrow, well-guarded green. You will need to great shots to make a par.
The short par four 9th is a risk-and-reward conundrum. This fishhook-shaped hole is reachable with a booming drive across the dogleg, but it’s all carry across trees and rock outcroppings. The less heroic shot is to lay up short of the trouble and play a gentle pitch to the green.
The 11th is almost a reverse carbon copy in shape to the 9th, but the elevated tee shot above an old pumice quarry makes the 11th a thrilling and rather intimidating hole. This hole is certainly the signature hole of the course.
Other clubhouse amenities include a pro golf shop, a fully-equipped fitness center, massage room and unique outdoor settings, all designed for wellness and relaxation.
In conclusion, there are some elevation changes in the course but the majority of the terrain is pretty tame and presents itself as a nice walk. While not in the same league as the Pronghorn courses, Broken Top is certainly as upper tier private club for Central Oregon.
