Crosswater Golf Club, in Sunriver, OR, is a pristinely pure course and the class of Central Oregon golf. This standout stadium links, with a heathland style layout, is highly acclaimed and at one time played host to the annual Jeld-Wen Tradition, a Champions Tour major. True to its name, Crosswater traverses the slow, meandering rivers of the Deschutes and Little Deschutes at seemingly every turn. This waterwayed golf oasis provides a rich, green environment for its high desert locale. Aside from areas of dry woodlands, which are visible but seldom come into play, Crosswater has an open setting and bears many wetlands.
The course design is wonderfully incorporated with its extensive riverfront real estate and volcanic panoramas. In the near distance lies frequent views of Mt. Bachelor and Broken top, as well as forested hillsides and stand alone buttes. And just as easy on the eyes are sharp course features and immaculately maintained grounds. With overgrown wetland brush and wild grasses, alongside the finely manicured bent grass cuts of the hole layouts, there’s a steady balance between man’s and nature’s intentions. From tee to green, and from meadows to mountains, Crosswater is at the crossroads of countless beauties and directly in line with the Northwest’s elite.
Crosswater Golf Club is a special golf venue for anyone with resort access and a desire for a challenging, yet manageable, test of golf. With five sets of tees, generally large driving zones, and flat terrain, even less experienced or shorter-hitting golfers can put their ball in play. With that said, there are more than enough difficult features to threaten ones score. The back tees at Crosswater require frequent carries over rivers, wetland areas and overgrown grasses. In general, water sourced hazards are the most consistent form of trouble. Large ponds, rivers, and marked drop zones can consume errant shots throughout. Safe, if not ideal, landing zones are fairly sizable, but directional bunkers are abundant and must be minded.
As each hole at Crosswater progresses, it will typically get tighter and more obstacle-filled. Fairway cuts tend to narrow up at the greens, and groups of shapely sand traps are waiting to net miss-hits that carom off of neighboring knolls. The greens often have break away edges and are surrounded by short-cut collection areas. The putting surfaces provide a mix of subtle and noticeable contour. Factor in their flawlessly true rolls and lightning speeds, and reading the break demands a keen focus. Keep in mind that this region gets hit with harsher winters and, therefore, the greens can take longer to recover. For the premium fare of playing here, you will want to ensure the best. In peak season, Crosswater is guaranteed to be just that as an unrivaled high desert golf destination.
