4 2021 CENTRAL OREGON GOLF PREVIEW • THE BULLETIN • SUNdAy, MAy 23, 2021
Business is
booming
Central Oregon golf courses are busier
than ever as the pandemic winds down
BY SCOTT BARTON • For The Bulletin
F
or more than a year now, Central Oregonians
have seen their lives change due to
COVID-19. From restrictions on gathering
in public, to having children unable to attend school
for much of the last 12 months, life as normal has been
redefined.
Considering how much realities have changed, area
residents have taken even more to outdoor activities as
an escape. Attendance has been up in the area’s many
campsites, trails are seeing increased use — and Central
Oregon golf courses are busier than they have been in
years.
Local private clubs including Bend Golf Club, Broken
Top, and Awbrey Glen have all reached full membership
capacity.
“Joining Broken Top was a
great decision,” said Jason Scar-
lett, a new member in 2020.
“Having a community to share
outdoor recreation with in a
time of uncertainty has been a
welcomed reprieve. The only
challenge has been finding a
Ryan Brennecke/The Bulletin
Bill Swancutt replaces the flag after his group finished putting while playing at Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sis-
ters last month.
tee time because the course is
so busy.”
Tee times aren’t hard to come
by at just private clubs. The
same story seems to hold true
at public courses where every-
one is welcome. While business
is booming, there are some in-
herent challenges for everyone
involved.
“I have an annual pass at
River’s Edge and find myself
having to call days ahead to get
a preferred tee time,” said Steve
Nelson, a longtime course reg-
ular. “Last year, unless you had
a tee time before 11 a.m., it
was difficult to get a single oc-
cupancy cart on what isn’t the
most walker-friendly course.
The staff has been more than
accommodating and I can’t
thank them enough for their
help. Unfortunately, they were
limited in their ability to han-
dle traffic last year when only
one player was allowed in a
cart.”
Despite some challenges,
both private and public facili-
ties are prospering.
See Business / 5