Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club - Ghost Creek Course

Please take into consideration that this review is being written not in total fairness to the golf course as they certainly cannot control the unbelievable amount of rainfall they had this past winter. Having played Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek) in the past and absolutely loving it, I'm somewhat reluctant to even write this negative review. However, since the pro shop staff failed to warn me about the conditions, I am hoping that my review may help some readers. The course, in my opinion, is almost unplayable due the amount of water it has received. The front 9 was almost swamp like. Many tee shots in the fairway were constantly imbedded completely. The only way you could find the ball was if you were directly over it as no amount of ball was even showing above ground. We lost 5 balls that were definitely in the fairway on 3 holes (between the 3 of us). If you were off the fairway even slightly on many holes, your ball was lost as the sogginess was completely unforgiving. The back 9 conditions were much better than the front. I assume the back 9 simply drains better. Several fairways were top dressed with dirt/sand (I assume to soak up water and heal the grass) throughout the course so obviously you weren't even really hitting off "grass" unless you moved your ball several feet. My biggest complaint was that the staff never warned me about the conditions even though I inquired 3 days prior about the course conditions. Their response was "this has been a very wet winter but our greens are perfect". Their greens were indeed perfect but getting to them was extremely challenging.

Ghost Creek is usually a great course to play, having an interesting layout and some challenging and scenic holes. Unfortunately course conditions are strongly impacted by the weather in the Pacific Northwest. The course doesn't handle rain very well and quickly becomes extremely wet and (therefore) soft. Today the course was absolutely unplayable - zero roll, balls plugged deep in the fairways and very high rough (a missed fairway meant a lost ball). Carts obviously weren't allowed but even walking the course was a challenge. On the positive side the greens were very fast (stimp 12). Due to the course conditions I quit after 9 holes, something I've never done before, and got a rain check. I wouldn't recommend to play Ghost Creek until course conditions have improved (I'm actually surprised the course is open for play and charging full rates...).

Okay, so I have to separate this review into two parts: First, the positive. This is such an underrated layout! To be rated merely in the 50s in the Top 100 public lists is a miscalculation in my opinion. For scenic and shot value, this track is more than solid. After playing it, there is no doubt why so many coveted prestigious tournaments have been contested here. I loved the variety of trees found here. So different from what I am used to encountering in Alabama. The final three holes of this course are sooooo good. Short par-3 16th, short par-4 17th that requires precision on initial two shots, and nervy par-4 finisher. I loved how the course's namesake, Ghost Creek wove itself throughout the course. It really added a pivotal dimension on many holes. The greens were very good - not too slow, not too fast - and rolled extremely good. They were the kind of greens you could be aggressive on. Bunkers were solid, albeit wet. The hot dog in the clubhouse grill is as good as I have ever had anywhere. It is a must try. Staff was super-friendly on a soggy day. Now for the critical part: Oregon has experienced an extremely tough winter and spring. The course has taken on so much rain that they haven't been able to get mowers on the rough, leaving it U.S. Open-like. I am not exaggerating. If you miss the fairway you better be watching intently on where it generally lands, or you won't find your ball without walking on it. Likewise, the fairways are under water and you cannot find a lie that does not employ casual water. If you don't pick the ball, this can make for a long day. The course is borderline unplayable given the conditions. My biggest concern is someone getting hurt. More than a handful of times I lost my footing walking to and from tee boxes and from the cart path to the fairway, and had to catch myself. Someone could seriously tear a knee up. That being said, I had a wonderful experience, and would love to play this course when it is dried out. Bottom line: this is an underrated big-time championship layout that desperately needs favorable forecasts and the warming temps of summer.

This must easily be the worse condition that I've ever played in a reputable course. The driveways were not mowed and almost like rough conditions. The rough edges were 6-8 inches tall grass in a muddy and wed ground. The greens were heavily sanded and yet they charged us $80.

It was almost not fun to play! I will not play this course in spring and winter every.

We played on a drizzley day. The group in front of us was a little slow.(4+ hours with no one in front of them) Greens were in amazing shape. So fast and challenging. It was a little expensive ($99) for this time of year and a weekday. Staff was very friendly. They had a drink cart on a slow day, which was great. It is a very pretty course and we'll taken care of. If it weren't so far away I would consider the ghost pass.

Pleasant course away from the busy bustle of the city some extra long par 4 holes and some very short par 4s.

Trick shots required

What an amazing course! Fairways and Greens in pristine condition. Hidden in the woods, loved the views and its surrounding. Great course design and layout. It's fairly tough course, had a great time. Definitely I'll come back next time in town.

Played here on a Saturday afternoon at 2:20. They let a large shotgun event out at 1:30 so pace for my round ended up over 5 hours which was less than desirable. For the price, it is not that great. There are courses in the Portland metro area that are much cheaper that are as good if not better conditioned. Found it very odd that a course Marshall chased me down during my round to tell me NOT to drive my cart in the rough and to keep it on the fairway... The rough looked pretty stressed so I guess this makes sense although it's contrary to what I've always known.

Restaurant was understaffed and seemed overwhelmed. I arrived early to sit at the bar and have a beer and food beforehand but was disappointed to see no bar and lacking options for food.

Overall, not bad. Just not that great either.

The course layout is great, some holes are challenging.. The greens are inconsistent. Lacks rest room amenities in the course. It's great value since it was on hot deal in golf now. Is this course worth full price, I don't think so unless they make the greens faster and consistent

I had a good time playing Ghost Creek yesterday. The course was in good shape and the greens rolled nicely. It's a bit overpriced, but a bargain with a Hot Deal.

Came up with family on vacation and decided to get in a round. Had an awesome time. Lots of elevation change which I like. Some blind tee shots, which I don't lol. The clubhouse was fantastic and the food for lunch was incredible. I had the 10.50 Cobb salad. It was huge and very tasty. All in all it was a fun day on one of the best courses I've ever played. Just wish our vacation was longer. We even saw a doe and her fawn in one of the bunkers on 17.

First time playing Pumpkin Ridge- Ghost Hollow. Vacationing in Portland and this was the must play for the Portland area. Course was in fantastic condition, greens quick(11ish) but very smooth. Played on the 4th of July, round was a little slow but not anything unexpected for a holiday.

Practice facilities were good, clubhouse had average amenities but friendly staff. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

This was a fun and challenging course, some what narrow and challenging greens. Offered a fun and new experience that I plan to play again for sure. Amazing and helpful staff.

Pumpkin is good for golf w reasonable price

For the first time playing it was great day, I got to play with to guys that helped make it a fun day.

Good weather... Good people... Not too crowded... Great greens. The course is really in good shape.... maybe better than any other we've played this year and we play all over between Portland and Seattle. Not really a $130/round guy but for the $60 we played for it is a great value.

The course was in good shape despite being aerated. I would still recommend playing it at least once. I can now check it off my bucket list.

I agree with others when they say how swampy it's been although it's May and still pretty wet and now it's also brown. I have never seen this course in these conditions in the 20 years I've played here. Staff is usually friendly and accommodating but it was disappointing to see this place look this bad.

The club house and driving range are first rate, the course layout is as good as the location can offer, meaning it's in the middle of farmland with just hills and trees, a couple of artificial ponds hugging a couple of fairways, nothing taking your breath away like #4 or #15 of Heron Lakes Great Blue at half the admission price, so I can only recommend it if you have a Golfnow special.

I always look forward to playing this course when I travel to Oregon from Colorado and spend a couple of months here in the spring. Staff couldn't be more friendly and accommodating as they were on this visit. Great driving range and putting green. The greens on the course were truly exceptional--best I've seen of the 5 courses I've played during this visit--and the fairways were in pretty darn good shape after what nearly all the locals say was the roughest winter conditions they had ever seen. The rough, however, was extremely thick and deep and any ball hit into it was at risk of not being found. Hitting out of it was nearly impossible and, as a 14-handicapper--I faced a lot of impossible shots. I finally took to just lifting and placing the ball on top of it. All that said, I'm looking forward to playing the course again in a couple of weeks after I've started hitting the ball more accurately and/or the rough has been trimmed down.