Bend, Oregon, has a weird relationship with golf. You’ve got the high-end resort courses that cost more than a car payment for a single round, and then you’ve got the muni tracks that are basically dust bowls by mid-August. Finding that middle ground—the place where the greens are actually true but you don't feel like you're playing inside a corporate brochure—is harder than it looks. That brings us to Awbrey Glen Golf Club.
It’s tucked into the west side of Bend. Most people just see the gated entry and assume it’s just another stuffy enclave for retirees. They’re wrong. Sorta.
I’ve spent enough time looking at the topography of the High Desert to tell you that Gene Bunnell, the architect here, had a very specific, almost masochistic vision for this piece of land. He didn't just want a golf course; he wanted a hike with clubs. Opened in 1993, this isn't some flat, resort-style walk in the park. It’s a 7,000-yard beast that utilizes the natural basalt outcroppings and dramatic elevation changes that make Central Oregon famous. It's rugged. It's honest.
The Layout Most Golfers Get Wrong at Awbrey Glen Golf Club
If you show up at Awbrey Glen Golf Club thinking you can just bomb drives and find them in the tall grass, you're going to lose two sleeves of balls by the turn. Seriously. The course is built on the side of a ridge. Because of that, the "local knowledge" isn't just a suggestion; it’s a survival guide.
Take the par-5 5th hole. It’s the signature. You’re standing on an elevated tee box looking down into a valley that feels like it belongs in a National Geographic spread. There's a massive rock wall on the right. If you slice it, that ball is gone into the lava rock. If you pull it left, you're in the bunkers or worse. The green is nestled against more rock. It’s intimidating. But it’s also fair. If you hit your spots, the course rewards you with some of the best views of the Cascades you can find without hiking up South Sister.
Most people complain about the "blind shots" here. I get it. Nobody likes hitting a perfect 7-iron only to find out there was a hidden swale that kicked your ball into a collection area. But that’s the charm. It’s a thinking person's course. You have to understand how the ball rolls on fescue-heavy turf in a high-altitude, semi-arid climate. The air is thin. The ball carries 10% further than it does in Portland or Seattle. If you don't account for that, you're long on every approach shot.
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Beyond the Fairways: The Membership Reality
Let’s talk about the "private" aspect. It's a member-owned club. That carries a certain weight. In many clubs, that means a bunch of guys in pleated khakis complaining about the pace of play. At Awbrey Glen, it’s actually surprisingly laid back. Maybe it's just the Bend influence. You see people in hoodies. You see families.
The practice facility is arguably the best in the region. They call it the "Golf Learning Center." It’s not just a range; it’s a 5-hole loop of par-3s and short par-4s where you can actually practice shots that matter. Most ranges are just places to beat balls into an open field. This is a place to actually get better.
- The Loop: A short course designed for practice and juniors.
- The Range: Massive, grass tees (mostly), and target greens that actually mimic the course.
- The Short Game Area: Huge bunkers and enough green space to practice 60-yard wedge shots.
The clubhouse, known as the Nineteen, is where the social stuff happens. Honestly, the food is better than it has any right to be for a golf club. It’s not just burgers and fries. They do actual Northwest cuisine—think steelhead, local greens, and a tap list that leans heavily into the Deschutes and Sunriver brewing scenes.
Why the "Red Course" Label Still Sticks
Historically, Awbrey Glen Golf Club was known for its "Red" tees and its focus on being playable for everyone. But don't let that fool you. From the back tees (the "Goshawk" tees), this course is a monster. The slope rating is high for a reason.
The wind is the silent killer here. Around 2:00 PM every day, the "Bend Breeze" kicks in from the west. It comes off the mountains and whistles through the pines. Suddenly, a 150-yard shot requires a 5-iron. If you’re playing a tournament here, the afternoon wave usually gets crushed.
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Common Misconceptions
- "It's too hilly to walk." It is very hilly. But plenty of members walk it with electric carts or push carts. It’s a workout. If you have bad knees, take the cart.
- "It's only for residents." While it’s the centerpiece of the Awbrey Glen community, you don't have to live there to be a member.
- "The greens are impossible." They are fast. They are tiered. But they aren't "tricked out." If you're above the hole, yeah, you're three-putting. Keep it below the pin. Always.
The Environmental Factor
Central Oregon is a desert. Managing water is a huge deal. One thing you'll notice at Awbrey Glen Golf Club is the use of "native areas." They don't water every square inch of the property. This creates a beautiful contrast between the lush green fairways and the golden, rugged High Desert rough.
It’s also a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. You’ll see deer, hawks, and occasionally a coyote. It feels like you’re playing in the wild, which is exactly why people move to Bend in the first place. They didn't over-manicure it. They let the desert stay the desert.
How to Actually Play Here
Since it’s a private club, you generally need to know someone. However, they do host several OGA (Oregon Golf Association) events and occasional charity scrambles. If you’re moving to the area and considering a membership, they usually offer "Discovery" packages or preview rounds.
Compare it to Broken Top or Bend Golf Club. Broken Top is flashier. Bend Golf Club is more traditional and flat (parkland style). Awbrey Glen is the rugged middle child. It’s got the views of the former and the "pure golf" feel of the latter.
If you get the chance to play, pay attention to the 14th. It’s a short par-4 that looks easy on the scorecard. It’s a trap. The fairway narrows to almost nothing, and the green is protected by a massive drop-off on the left. It’s the kind of hole that ruins a good scorecard because you got greedy. Take a 4-hybrid, put it in the fat part of the fairway, and move on.
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Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Guest or Member
If you’re looking at Awbrey Glen Golf Club as your next home course or just a bucket-list round in Bend, here is how you handle it.
Check the OGA Calendar
If you aren't a member and don't know one, look for Oregon Golf Association tournaments hosted here. It’s the easiest way to get "inside the gates" for a competitive round without the initiation fee.
Master the "Punch Shot"
Before you arrive, practice your low-flighted shots. The wind in the High Desert is no joke. If you can’t keep the ball under the wind, the course will eat you alive, especially on the more exposed holes like 11 and 12.
Schedule a Tour of the Learning Center
If you're interviewing the club for membership, don't just look at the bar. Spend 30 minutes at the practice facility. It is the strongest selling point of the club and where the most value lies for someone actually trying to lower their handicap.
Eat on the Patio
Even if you're just a guest for the day, stay for lunch. The view of Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters from the deck at the Nineteen is one of the best "secret" spots in Bend.
Watch Your Elevation
Remember that you are at nearly 3,700 feet. Your 7-iron is now a 6-iron (or even a 5-iron depending on the wind). Drink twice as much water as you think you need. The dry air and the elevation will dehydrate you by the 12th hole, leading to that classic "back nine collapse."
Awbrey Glen isn't trying to be Pebble Beach. It isn't trying to be a dusty municipal. It’s a high-desert challenge that requires a bit of grit and a lot of patience. If you can appreciate a course that fights back a little, you'll love it.