Rose City Golf Course
About
Rose City Golf Course is the second oldest municipal track in the Portland area. In 1921, A.H. "Jay" Gould played his first round of golf ever at Eastmoreland Golf Course. After returning home, he decided to look for a good place to hit golf balls and came upon The Rose City Speedway. He spoke with C.P. Keyser of the City Park Bureau and obtained permission to burn the tall grass on the infield so that golf balls could be found.
Jay and friend Herbert George used shovels and hoes to carve out a nine-hole course on the speedway infield. Tin cans were used for cups, packing cases for tee-boxes, and iron rods and rags for flags. The Oregonian and Journal Newspapers ran a story on the new golf course and 30 golfers showed up the following Sunday to hit balls around on the burnt grass and dirt. The main hazard was a head-on train collision that occurred earlier in the summer and partially blocked the seventh green.
After a few weeks, the Rose City Golf Association was founded which marked the beginning of the course. Full cooperation from the city and donations from businesses and individuals solidified the construction. George Ott drew up a nine-hole plan and work began in the spring of 1922. Play continued in the spring, but was stopped in the summer due to long grass and no mower. Play started again in the fall, but stopped again due to motorcycle racing. In the winter of 1922-23, the viaduct on the west end of the track washed out and put an end to the races. On Jan. 31, 1923 the first green fee ticket was sold to Jay Gould and in the spring, more than 800 played in one day. The city then took over the course completely.
Today, Rose City Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 course with rolling fairways that are lined with a variety of large trees. Water comes into play on holes 10, 11, 14, and 15 and greenside bunkers are well placed.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6552 yards | 71.7 | 123 |
| White | 72 | 6164 yards | 69.8 | 119 |
| White (W) | 73 | 6164 yards | 75.3 | 126 |
| Red (W) | 73 | 5589 yards | 71.8 | 118 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament M: 71.0/120 | 367 | 388 | 502 | 341 | 171 | 425 | 364 | 216 | 384 | 3158 | 475 | 465 | 200 | 367 | 329 | 133 | 473 | 414 | 423 | 3279 | 6437 |
| Blue M: 70.9/119 | 367 | 388 | 502 | 341 | 171 | 425 | 364 | 216 | 353 | 3127 | 475 | 465 | 200 | 367 | 329 | 133 | 473 | 414 | 423 | 3279 | 6406 |
| Blue/White M: 69.4/116 | 343 | 362 | 502 | 323 | 171 | 390 | 333 | 216 | 326 | 2966 | 475 | 465 | 200 | 351 | 320 | 133 | 473 | 378 | 405 | 3200 | 6166 |
| White M: 68.6/116 W: 74.5/120 | 343 | 362 | 476 | 323 | 154 | 390 | 333 | 190 | 326 | 2897 | 450 | 446 | 180 | 351 | 320 | 120 | 462 | 378 | 405 | 3112 | 6009 |
| White/Green M: 67.4/112 | 325 | 325 | 476 | 308 | 154 | 369 | 303 | 190 | 280 | 2730 | 450 | 446 | 180 | 298 | 262 | 120 | 462 | 353 | 395 | 2966 | 5696 |
| Green M: 66.5/108 W: 71.4/114 | 325 | 351 | 447 | 308 | 123 | 369 | 303 | 142 | 280 | 2648 | 424 | 432 | 166 | 298 | 262 | 77 | 416 | 353 | 395 | 2823 | 5471 |
| Red M: 62.7/103 W: 66.4/109 | 241 | 262 | 383 | 240 | 123 | 288 | 262 | 142 | 220 | 2161 | 353 | 365 | 142 | 260 | 262 | 77 | 416 | 275 | 294 | 2444 | 4605 |
| Red/Gold W: 66.0/108 | 241 | 262 | 383 | 240 | 123 | 288 | 262 | 142 | 205 | 2146 | 340 | 312 | 142 | 260 | 262 | 77 | 340 | 275 | 294 | 2302 | 4448 |
| Gold M: 62.1/100 W: 65.0/105 | 241 | 262 | 383 | 240 | 123 | 288 | 262 | 142 | 205 | 2146 | 340 | 312 | 142 | 253 | 230 | 77 | 340 | 220 | 294 | 2208 | 4354 |
| Handicap | 7 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 4 | 2 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 37 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 11 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
No Hot Deals for this date.
No Hot Deals for this date.
No Hot Deals for this date.
Course Details
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Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
Decent track
New to Oregon and this was the first course I played. Brought my wife along so decided to rent a cart as well for the both of us. Got paired up with another single and a couple. Everyone was friendly and was fun to play with. Pace of play was pretty good till about the 16th hole when we caught up with some groups. Overall course was in decent shape. Greens were pretty quick but not all that tricky. There are only a few holes with water, and I only lost a couple balls (both on the same hole, haha) . Overall I was impressed with this course from a value standpoint and would play it again.
Beautiful setting, but not much more
I came to Portland on a family vacation and booked a tee time at Rose City mostly because of its proximity to our lodgings. The area nearby and the golf course itself are really beautiful and the layout of the course is very nice. I thought that the pricing was a little high when I booked--especially since the price did not include a cart--but it was my first time to play in the area so I didn't really know how it compared to others nearby. After having played there once, I think I would look for another place to play before booking at Rose City again. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU RENT CLUBS FROM THE PRO SHOP!!!! I'm still aghast at how poor the quality of the clubs were that my playing partner and I were given--the sets didn't match and were terribly old and poor quality, both sets were missing clubs, and one of us was given a women's driver, not to mention the fact that they quoted me one price by email, then charged me more when I arrived. It didn't even look like they had been cleaned and, if I had had any option, I would have refused to play with them.
Though the course was beautiful, the conditions were average at best. The greens were in decent shape, but played very slow and it was obvious that many players on the course didn't bother to fix ball marks, etc. The fairways were reasonably good, but nothing to write home about. The most annoying thing was that a marshal followed us for the first three holes, even though no one was waiting on us, then stopped us to give us a lesson on how to play faster. But, by the the time we reached the 7th hole, there was a HUGE backup and the marshal was nowhere to be seen.
All in all, considering this was a "Hot Deal," it was a pretty expensive round for a course of this quality. Best thing about Rose City? The beer selection! We had a wonderful time enjoying the great weather and relaxing, but I doubt I'll play there again.
The Old Course
Rose City is the oldest course in Portland. One of the best kept secrets in Portland golf. Oopps, now I did it. I may have opened a can of worms by saying this.
The trees here but can be treacherous, but this is what I love about this course. You can be in the trees but still have a decent shot to save par on most holes. Obviously its best to stay out of the trees and keep the ball in play.
I love the new water feature between 10 and 11. It adds more drama to those holes and makes you think about your tee shots. Again, keep the ball in play and avoid the hazards.
The greens were in great shape and as always the ball does not break as much as you may think.
I will be back.
Rose City Wednesday
Course was in great shape and the value on Golf Now ($17) was fabulous...a bit slow and backed up for the first 5 holes...called the clubhouse to get a marshall out to help...better after he did his job.
Weekdays
The Course is in great condition and the pace was speedy. Thanks for a good day RC.
Interesting layout and well maintained
Every time I play here I'm surprised how much I like this course. Fairways and greens were in great shape. Good risk/reward choices on several holes. Nice walking course. Well worth the time and money.
Nice course in the city
Older stately course with lots of matured trees. Greens are nice and well kept but some could use a blower mid day because of fir and pine seedlings.
Rose City
This was a great little course!! The green are in really good shape and were nice to putt on. I would recommend this course to anyone in the Portland area, I will play again.
Nice greens
As the course drys out conditions should improve. Greens are in good condition, rolling well. The rough is very heavy, hopefully they will begin to mow soon.
Very good city course with some difficult holes. The 16th,17th,18th holes still one of the most challenging closing holes around. Will play the course often this season. Easy course to walk, very enjoyable day of golf.
great team
Our group had a great time . The course was in great shape. Pace of play good. It didn't hurt that the weather was great.
Rainy day at Rose City Golf Course
Excellent golf course with plenty of elevation and shot making skills required. Our only complaint was that they didn't have a storm warning system in place for warning us of lightning and/or thunderstorms. It rained very heavy and then started to hail which we took in stride. However, when it started to lightning and thunder, we knew it was a stop to all outdoor activities. Staff was very friendly and helpful and other golfers were laid back and not overbearing.
Great course for value
Had a great time. Course was in very good condition
First Round at Rose City
Bunkers and greens in excellent condition. Course pretty wide open but enjoyable. Back 9 much more scenic and hilly. Since 3 of the par 5's are on the back, it would be hard to just play nine.
muck!
The weather was very overcast and off and on rain. Staff helped me get out early and I met a few fellows on the 1st tee box that invited me to play with them.To say the course was soggy would be an understatement. Greens were slow(go figure), but well maintained. The fairways were a little thick,but it is because of the rainy season. I have played this course 1 other time and enjoyed the experience then. I am going to play the course again but next time it will be for revenge. Great muni course in town.
Not bad
For late February, my expectations were fairly low. The course is in OK shape for this time of year. Having no real driving range is a big minus for me. I brought a shag bag and warmed up but not ideal. The greens are very spotty, hard to put over a few feet without hitting some big bumps. Still it's a fun course to play with plenty of challenges for a golfer of my level.
The back is the gem of the course...
The club house and staff is way above par. These guys are kind and respectful to you. The mens club is a movie in its self, within the clubhouse...
This course is great year round.
Love the course. Desperately need new golf carts. Tryed four before found one exceptible. Staff is friendly. Greens are in great shape.
This is a classic Portland track. Dense, tree-lined holes require accurate tee shots. Its in decent shape for a muni track, but play is slow.
This is a classic Portland track. Dense, tree-lined holes require accurate tee shots. Its in decent shape for a muni track, but play is slow, much like all the other public PDX courses.