Accolades

In 1998, eighteen thousand subscribers to GOLF DIGEST completed ballots from a 1997 issue, sharing their likes and dislikes on 5,300 golf courses across the continent. They talked about hidden gems, as well as courses that are overpriced, overrated and overplayed. They identified where the greens were true and where the staff was rude; where the food was good and pace of play too slow...In all there were 208,525 individual courses evaluations, an average of roughly 39 per course. They were used to determine the star ratings of each course. These were some of the discoveries...

Best nine-hole courses, both Four Stars

• Elkhorn Valley G.C., Lyons, OR
• Southern Hills G.C., Hot Srings, SD

In 2000, GOLF DIGEST again published for the fourth time, on a biennial basis, the same survey as they did in 1998 for places to play based on more than 20,000 ballots---some 300,000 course evaluations in total.

Again, Elkhorn Valley was rated best, receiving four and one-half stars.

The others receiving four stars were:
Ocean View G.C., Devonshire, Bermuda
Quail Run G.C., LaPine, OR
Southern Hills G.C., Hot Springs, SD
Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Hawaii

When it was still a nine hole course, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED listed Elkhorn Valley among the nation's top five "half-tracks". In the article describing Elkhorn Valley, the course merited mention for it's outstanding conditoning, pristine locale in a forest, and the loving care given it by the owners, the Cutler family. "Golfers won't find an upscale clubhouse in these wilds east of Salem. But they will find a wonderful golf experience lauded by such players as Oregonian and long-time PGA Tour memer Bob Gilder who, after shooting a par 36 over nine holes, proclaimed the course "great."

On June 14th, 2000, Bob Robinson of THE OREGONIAN wrote about his impression of the new back nine..."What they have is a second nine that matches the beauty and style of the original nine, and course superintendent Roger Vandehey has done a fine job of making that happen. Fairways of ryegrass are tight and rhododendrons add a scenic touch next to many fairways and tees. The bentgrass greens have plenty of undulation and water comes into play on four of the new holes.

Some of the 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..."