A confluence of golf

Even before it got serious about becoming one, the Tri-Cities was a destination stop, of sorts, for hard-core golfers from the Spokane area in search of a quick cure for cabin fever.

Nestled in southeastern Washington and boasting an average of nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, the cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco have long tempted golfers from less temperate climates with winter and early spring respites from snow and freezing temperatures.

But today, with the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau pushing the state’s fourth-largest metropolitan area as a “true desert oasis – offering a sun-drenched retreat into the Heart of Washington Wine Country,” the region’s popularity is skyrocketing.

Visitors flock to the area, not only to challenge its 10 golf courses, but to sample its world-class wineries, specialty foods and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, as well.

According to Tana Bader Inglima, the V&CB’s vice president of marketing and public affairs, the number of hotel and motel rooms in the Tri-Cities has increased by 54 percent in the last 10 years, and occupancy levels continue to hit all-time highs.

“We’ve seen an explosion of interest in the area in recent years,” Bader Inglima said. “And the bureau has been promoting package deals – like our Golf & Wine Getaways – in order to build that interest.”

The bureau, Bader Inglima explained, has become a regular visitor to the annual Spokane Golf Show as it continues to push the Columbia Valley’s moderate climate, beauty and recreational opportunities to residents of the Inland Northwest.

Built around the confluence of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers, the Tri-Cities offers a host of aquatic activities ranging from pleasure boating to windsurfing. And with 150 wineries located within an hour’s drive, it affords plenty of wine tour and tasting opportunities, as well.

But the big drawing card, especially in the winter and early spring, remains the golf.

Most of the region’s 10 courses are open year-round and present a vast variety of challenging and entertaining golf experiences.

Golfers can pick their pleasures from a resort-like layout such as Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick to a classic municipal track like Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. For those who prefer a more desert-like setting, there is the Horn Rapids Golf Course in Richland. And for those relishing a more links-style experience, there is Columbia Point Golf Course, which is also located in Richland.

“There’s a very nice feel to the whole area,” said Joe Creager, the head professional at Columbia Point. “Somebody can come down, spend four or five days and really play a great variety of golf courses.

“We’re really proud of what’s happening here.”

According to Matt Mandell, the head pro at Canyon Lakes, most of the courses in the area lose less than 14 days a year to weather closures. But he said he has noticed that more golfers from the Spokane area are making the Tri-Cities more than just a winter or early spring stop.

“We’ve gone up to the golf show in Spokane the last couple of years,” Mandell explained. “That first year, it was just a lot of ‘Where are you located?’ and ‘What’s your course like?’ questions.

“But this year, there was a lot more feedback from people who had come down on business and played the course while they were here. There’s a lot more (Spokane) traffic coming this way for business purposes, and I think we’re picking up a lot of rounds from that.

“And it’s not just during the winter time, when courses are closed up there. We’re getting it in the spring and summer, too.”