Woodlands at Sunriver Resort

Bottom line first: abysmal pace of place absolutely ruined the round here.

The Woodlands Course at Sun River, a Robert Trent Jones design, is an excellent track, and quite difficult. That may be part of the problem here--it really is not a good course for partiers, families, old couples, etc., but it is set in a resort and hence filled with players who will struggle. With hard, fast greens that were difficult to hold, and some wicked pin placements, I found it quite tough the day we played.

That said, I could not recommend it to any decent golfer, because the pace of play is atrocious. It took us more than five hours to finish, and the front nine was just brutal--2:45, waiting on EVERY shot. The player assistant told us that the holdup was a "family reunion" group that was more interested in the beverage cart than playing. Ok, fine, so do something about it--you can't let one group ruin everyone else's day. Several players from behind us passed us on their way to quitting early in frustration, and our concentration was shot by the fifth hole.

When we went by at the turn, the starter just shrugged and said "it's a resort course, we're trying." They could try harder--here's some recommendations:

1. Admit you have a problem with pace, and commit to address it, rather than shrugging at it.

2. Prominently post an expected time to finish and get each group to commit to it so they can be moved up when they fall off the pace.

3. Tell players "this is a difficult course" and recommend moving up a couple tee boxes is they are not lower handicap players.

4. Don't let a drunken group ruin things for everyone else--after one warning, either move them up, or get them off the course.

And, by the way, ask people to rake the bunkers. It seems that a new generation of post-Covid golfers thinks raking is optional..

Another annoying thing about this course is that after charging you $155 for a weekday round, they have the nerve to charge you for range balls.

Great course, I won't be going back.

Beautiful course in great condition. It would have been nice to have beverages available on the course or at the turn after 5:00 but… still great!

Course allows to BOOK as a single, but not play as one. Arrived in time for a small bucket on range for the time I booked. Was moved up to join a 3-some. Was directed to load up on a cart. After doing so, was told that I needed to pair up with existing cart. Very unorganized. The group I joined was great guys, or else this would have been a very low rating.

Our first time playing this course and found it tough. Would love to play it again but find it to be too much money compared to other great courses in the area, ie Widgi Creek, Lost Tracks, etc. as residents of Deschutes county retired residence we have to watch our expenses to maximize our activities.

Booked online with no mention course was cart path only. Also felt the course was over priced for it’s current condition. Many large spots/areas of thatch/dead grass