Elkhorn Valley Golf Course

Elkhorn Valley Golf Course, is a Public, 18 hole golf course located in Lyons, Oregon.

Elkhorn Valley Golf Course first opened for play in 1976. The course was designed by Don Cutler. Elkhorn opened as a 9 hole course. 24 years later, in June 2000, the second nine was opened and today the course is an 18-hole, par 71 course playing to 6,242 yards from the back tees. The course rating is 70.6 and the slope rating is 126.

As a nine hole course, Elkhorn Valley Golf Course was ranked: Best 9-hole Course in America - Golf Magazine 1998. and rated one of America's two best 9-hole courses - Golf Digest, 1998

The award-winning front nine has captivated golfers of all abilities since 1976 and now the final nine holes are complete. The new back nine continues the Elkhorn tradition, taking advantage of all the natural topography and hazards that make this place so special - canyons, meandering streams, and wetlands and grand old stands of fir and other native trees. Natural grasses and brilliant wildflowers combined with the sights and sounds of wildlife are all around to form one of golf's most natural elements.

Some of the new holes are difficult. The 10th and 14th are par 4s with approach shots over wetlands areas. The 11th, a par 3 playing to 185 yards from the regular men's tee, is all carry over a lake and is enought to draw an apprehensive breath from the best of players.

Then there is the picturesque 16th, a strong par-5 hole requiring a tee shot over a ditch, then an accurate second shot between environmentally sensitive areas with a modest amount of winding fairway in between..."

HISTORY OF THE COURSE

When Don Cutler and his wife, Bonnie, went fishing on the little North Fork of Oregon's Santiam River in the early 1960's, they discovered a beautiful location for a golf course. A few years later, when the property was up for sale, Don and Bonnie jumped at the opportunity to make their dream a reality.

It took them 11 years to complete the first nine holes, in part because of Don's determination that the course blend into the surroundings. He transplanted 20-foot trees and built six lakes nestled into an unbelievably green, natural environment. The front nine opened in 1976, and has become a favorite for thousands of golfers. National recognition in golf magazines throught the United States has made it a must stop for players exploring Oregon courses.

Little by little, Don worked on developing the back nine as time and money permitted. Don passed away in 1998, but his children, Liz and Bruce, have been part of this family owned business since its inception, and they worked to finish his dream. The second nine holes of this exceptional course opened in June 2000.

Don Cutler is buried behind the 4th green and on his gravestone are the words: "The heart and soul of Elkhorn Valley

HISTORY OF THE YARDAGE MARKERS

It figured that if Don Cutler ever allowed 150-yard markers to be placed on his Elkhorn Valley Golf Course, they would be spectacular. And they are.

Until 1990, golfers had to use their own judgement of how far to the pin when selecting a club. Cutler, builder and owner of the then nine hole course in 1976, was determined not to do things a patterned way just because others did. "I don't believe in yard markers because the average golfer doesn't know how far he hits each club anyway." he said.

But over the years, Cutler endured constant complaints from golfers about the lack of markers. He was almost in a fight a couple of times when the golfers were so irate.

Cutler's daughter, Elizabeth, heard the complaints, too. She came up with the idea for birdhouse markers, and her father went for it.

"I didn't give in because of the complaints, though," he said. "The complaints had nothing to do with it."