If you’ve ever driven through the upper northwest corner of Washington, just a stone's throw from the Canadian border, you’ve likely seen the signs for Semiahmoo. But for the serious golfers—the ones who don't mind a little bit of a "beat down" if the conditions are right—Loomis Trail Golf Course is the name that carries the most weight. It's tricky. Honestly, it’s one of the few courses in the region where you can hit what feels like a decent shot and still end up staring at a scorecard wreck. It was designed by Graham Cooke, and if you know his work, you know he wasn't exactly interested in making life easy for the casual weekend warrior.
Loomis Trail is basically a masterpiece of water hazards. In fact, water comes into play on every single hole. Every. Single. One. That's not a marketing exaggeration; it’s a warning.
People talk about "links-style" courses all the time in the Pacific Northwest, but Loomis is a bit of a hybrid. It has that open, windswept feel in certain corridors, yet the bunkering and the constant threat of a splash-down make it feel more like a championship stadium course. It’s consistently ranked as one of the top public courses in Washington by Golfweek and Golf Digest, often swapping spots with its sister course, Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club. But while Semiahmoo feels like a traditional forest trek, Loomis feels like a tactical puzzle.
The Reality of Playing Loomis Trail Golf Course
You’ve got to be a bit of a strategist here. If you show up at the first tee and decide to grip it and rip it without looking at the yardage book, you’re going to lose a dozen balls by the turn. The course isn't just long—though it can stretch over 7,100 yards from the back tees—it’s narrow in the places where it counts.
Take the par 4s. They aren't just straight shots. Many of them require a specific landing area to even give you a look at the green. The greens themselves are usually kept in phenomenal shape—fast, true, and often quite large. But since they're large, if you're on the wrong tier, you're looking at a three-putt that will haunt your drive home. The turf is generally firm. It's built on a site with decent drainage, which is a miracle considering how much rain Whatcom County gets in the shoulder seasons.
The ownership history is actually kind of interesting, too. For a while, it was a private club, then it was part of the resort, and then the Lummi Nation purchased it in 2018. Since then, they’ve kept the quality high. It’s open to the public now, which is a win for anyone who wants to test their game against a course that hosted the USGA Senior Amateur qualifying and other high-level regional events.
Why the "Water on Every Hole" Isn't Just a Gimmick
Most courses have a "signature" water hole. At Loomis Trail, the water is the architecture. It forces you to play "target golf."
- On some holes, the water is a lateral hazard that runs the entire length of the fairway.
- On others, it’s a forced carry that messes with your head before you even swing.
- Sometimes, it's just a small pond tucked near the green that gobbles up "safe" bail-out shots.
I remember talking to a local pro who said the biggest mistake people make at Loomis is trying to hero-shot over the hazards. Don't do it. The wind comes off the Birch Bay area and can gust unpredictably. A shot that looks like it's clearing the pond can suddenly stall and drop straight into the drink. It's a "par is your friend" kind of place.
The Logistics: Getting There and Staying There
Loomis Trail is located in Blaine, Washington. If you're coming from Seattle, it's a solid two-hour drive depending on how much of a mess I-5 is through Everett. If you’re coming from Vancouver, B.C., it’s incredibly close—literally minutes once you get through the Peace Arch or Pacific Highway border crossings.
The clubhouse is a Tudor-style building that feels a bit more "old world" than your standard Pacific Northwest cedar-shack aesthetic. It’s got a solid lounge and some of the best views of the closing holes. If you're staying at the Semiahmoo Resort, they usually have shuttles, but having your own car is easier if you want to explore the area.
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Wait, can we talk about the price for a second?
Loomis is surprisingly affordable for a course of this caliber. While Pebble Beach or Chambers Bay will set you back hundreds of dollars, Loomis often stays in a much more reasonable range, especially if you play on a weekday or find a shoulder-season rate. It’s a "pro-level" experience without the "pro-level" credit card debt.
Seasonal Changes and What to Expect
Washington golf is a game of seasons. If you play Loomis in July, the fairways are fast and the ball will roll forever. This makes the course play a bit shorter but also makes it easier for your ball to roll into—you guessed it—the water.
In October or November? It's a different beast. The air is heavy. The ball doesn't travel as far. The rough gets thick and grabby. If you’re playing in the fall, move up a tee box. There is no shame in playing the whites or the blues if the blacks are going to turn your afternoon into a four-hour long nightmare of lost balls and muddy shoes.
The maintenance crew deserves a shout-out. Even in the wet months, they manage to keep the bunkers playable. They use a specific type of sand that doesn't just turn into a brick the moment it gets damp.
Comparing Loomis Trail to Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club
People always ask which one they should play if they only have one day. It’s a tough call.
- Semiahmoo (The Country Club): Designed by Arnold Palmer. It's a classic parkland layout. Trees. Lots of trees. It feels very private, very secluded. If you like hitting through "hallways" of Douglas firs, this is your spot.
- Loomis Trail: Designed by Graham Cooke. It’s more open, more exposed to the elements, and more focused on water. It feels "bigger" in a way.
Most low-handicappers prefer Loomis because it’s a "truer" test of ball striking. If you’re a high-handicapper who tends to slice the ball into the woods, you’ll hate Semiahmoo. If you’re a high-handicapper who hates losing balls in the water, you’ll hate Loomis. Pick your poison. Honestly, playing both over a weekend is the way to do it.
The Mental Game at Loomis
You have to be okay with bad breaks. That’s the thing about Loomis Trail Golf Course. You can hit a shot that is 95% perfect, but if that last 5% involves a weird kick off a mound into a pond, you have to move on.
The par-5s are particularly tempting. A few of them look reachable in two if you’ve got a tailwind. But the entrances to the greens are narrow. I've seen more "7s" and "8s" on the scorecard at Loomis from people trying to go for the green in two than at almost any other course in the state. Lay up. Wedge it on. Take your birdie putt and run.
Practical Tips for Your First Round
Don't be a hero. Seriously.
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- Bring an extra sleeve (or three) of balls: Even if you’re a scratch golfer. The water is magnetic.
- Study the wind: Before you tee off, look at the flags on the practice green. The wind usually comes from the west/northwest.
- Check the GPS: Most carts have them, but if not, use an app. Knowing exactly where the hidden water starts is vital.
- The 18th Hole: This is one of the best finishing holes in the state. It’s a long par 4 with water all along the left and the clubhouse looming in the background. Aim right. Always aim right.
If you’re looking for a place to eat after the round, the Packers Kitchen + Bar at the main Semiahmoo resort is the spot. It’s right on the water. Watching the sunset over the bay with a beer in your hand is the only way to wash away the memory of all those balls you left in the ponds at Loomis.
Actionable Steps for Planning Your Trip
If you're ready to tackle this course, don't just wing it.
First, book your tee time at least two weeks out if you’re looking for a weekend slot during the summer. Since the Lummi Nation took over, they’ve made it very accessible, but it still fills up fast with locals and Canadian visitors.
Second, check the aeration schedule. Like any high-end course, they punch the greens twice a year. You don't want to show up two days after they’ve turned the greens into Swiss cheese. Call the pro shop directly; they’re usually pretty honest about the current conditions.
Third, download a yardage app that shows elevation. While Loomis isn't "mountainous," there are subtle shifts in grade that can make a club-length difference.
Finally, commit to the course strategy. Decide before you even leave the house that you aren't going to chase pins tucked near the water. Play for the center of the green. Loomis Trail rewards discipline more than it rewards power. If you can keep your ball dry for 18 holes, you’ll likely shoot one of your best scores of the year—and you’ll definitely have more fun than the guy in the group ahead of you who is currently fishing his Pro-V1 out of the creek with a ball retriever.
The course is a beast, but it’s a fair one. It asks you a lot of questions about your game. Whether you have the answers or not is up to you.