TPC Snoqualmie Ridge
36005 SE Ridge Street
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Black Tees: 7,264-yards, Par 72
Rating 75.8/Slope 143

The TPC Soqualmie Ridge golf course, located in the charming old mining town of Snoqualmie, and a 30-minute drive from Seattle, plays host to the Champions Tour’s Boeing Classic each August. During the tournament, most of the attention on the course surrounds the tee box at the ‘do-or-die’ par-4 14th hole, which at a deceiving 448-yards challenges the pros to either: go for the green, which requires a 290-yard carry over a heavily-wooded canyon; or lay-up to a wide spot in the fairway just 225-yards from the tee.

In last year’s final round of the Boeing Classic, which was won by Tom Kite, 33 of 77 player’s shot for the green with their drive on the 14th. Of those who went for it, there were no eagles, 15 birdies, one double bogey and one triple bogey, according to a press release issued by the Classic.

While thrilling from its hero or zero aspect, the 14th is just one of many unforgettable holes on this Jack Nicklaus ‘signature design’ golf course, the only one of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The ‘signature’ designation means the Bear lent his personal touch to the creation of TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, an influence that truly provides golfers with the unique opportunity to play the game from Nicklaus’ point of view. That is, provided those players play from the right set of tees. Remember, Jack never played from the White’s.

Head Professional Jeff Richter advised I play the golf course from the 6,880-yard Gold Tees, considering it was my first time on the course. For a moment, I was relieved. Standing on the 324-yard, par-4 10th Gold tee (where I started the round) with a hybrid in my hand, it felt like the right play, but then I struggled to make bogey on what should have been an easy hole. The par-4 11th hole played 484-yards from the Black’s and 462-yards from the Gold’s, and again the choice of tee seemed wise, until I hit a weak drive and was forced to scramble for par.

On the 12th hole, aptly named The Falls, it hit me as I stepped back to the Black tee to take a photo — Jack’s signature — a priceless view of Snoqualmie Falls, available only to those playing from the tips. The view of both the Falls and the 12th fairway were so inspiring I decided to tee it up from the Black’s and in doing so changed the course of the review and my feelings for the golf course.

What looked somewhat pedestrian from the Gold tees suddenly became sublime from the Black’s. My game changed for the better on the 12th tee after a smashing drive to within 9-iron range, and I decided to stick with those tee boxes the rest of the round. It was a decision that paid off with not only priceless mountain views, but a window into the amazing golf mind of arguably the greatest golfer in history.

Ranked sixth in Golf Digest’s Top-10 list for the state of Washington, TPC Snoqualmie Ridge perhaps deserves a higher ranking? In terms of playbility, challenge and aesthetics it is light years ahead of seventh-Canterwood Golf and Country Club but falls short of Chambers Bay, and the Member’s Club at Aldarra. In terms of conditioning, however, it tops both Chambers Bay and Aldarra. At TPC Snoqualmie Ridge the tees and fairways are pristine, and the greens roll true, with nary a ball-mark in site.

Signature Holes:

#4 – the 426-yard 4th demands a long-carry tee shot from the tips over a creek to a tight landing area surrounded by bunkers. The second shot is no picnic either, as the green slopes heavily from left to right and is deceivingly uphill.

#12 – the 12th, as mentioned earlier, is inspirational, if played from the black tee.

#14 – go for it! I took the Black Ball for a ride and cleared the canyon, just 15 yards short of the green. Getting up and down for birdie, however, was a mystery.

Membership
The TPC Snoqualmie Ridge is a member’s only golf facility, which offers reciprocal play to members of other golf and country clubs. The club is currently seeking members. To schedule a personal tour, or to obtain additional information about the club, call Geoff Campion at 425-396-6036.

Boeing Classic — August 24-30, 2009. For tickets and more information click here.

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