Central Oregon golf: Meadows Course at Sunriver Resort can certainly hold its own

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- There are four golf courses at Sunriver Resort in central Oregon. The Crosswater Course, site of several national championships as well as a Champions Tour event, is the most heralded, but the one in the backyard of the resort lodge more than complements Crosswater.

Designed by John Fought, the 7,012-yard, par-71 Meadows Course is also a true championship test with scenic holes at every bend.

With five sets of tees, it's playable by all levels and surrounded by mountain scenery, marshes and excellent playing conditions. Like its big brother, the course also received brand new bentgrass greens a couple years ago, so it's usually in fantastic shape.

Highlights include the picturesque par-3 fourth hole, which plays over a pond and wetlands, the hard dogleg left par-4 18th that brings a large hazard into play off the tee and approach and the 17th, which runs along a meadow where horses can be seen frolicking in the sunrise or sunset.

The Meadows Course is part of a full-service resort/retirement community that offers plenty of other activities, including biking, hiking, tennis, shopping, horseback riding, restaurants, swimming and a spa. There's also a putting course next to the Meadows, which is situated next to the resort's main lodge.