Mt. Adams a challenge for the short game

The Mt. Adams Country Club is a semi-private course just a short, 20-minute drive north of Yakima down Highway 22, and offers a golfing experience that is completely different than Apple Trees, but every bit as challenging.

Founded in 1923, Mt. Adams Country Club, features narrow, tree-line fairways and small, elevated greens that putt delightfully smooth and fast.

“People come here because of our greens,” Rich Farrell, the club’s head professional said. “They’re as good and as fast as any in the region.”

And that’s not an exaggeration, in any way.

But because of their small size, speed and firmness, those greens can be maddeningly difficult for those who are short-game challenged. Only the most accomplished of chippers can deal with approach shots that stray left or right of the putting surface, requiring a deft touch with the wedge to hold the narrow green and get it up and down.

Adding to the difficulty of the course are the ancient stands of massive trees, most of which feature gnarled, low-hanging branches that feast on off-line tee shots.

Only one set of tees are used by the club’s ample membership, but because of the extended tee boxes on almost every hole, the par-72 course can be stretched to 6,261 yards.

According to Farrell, Mt. Adams gets much more play from golfers venturing east from the Seattle area than it does from those from Spokane.

“We’re just a little too far from Spokane,” Farrell explained. “Plus, those people up there a little spoiled with all the great, inexpensive courses they have access to.”

Still, anyone from the Inland Empire making the drive to Apple Tree, might want to consider a sidetrip to Toppenish to tackle Mt. Adams Country Club.