With more than two dozen courses around Central Oregon, it’s no wonder Bend has been dubbed “the Palm Springs of the North.” There are courses in the region to meet every skill level and budget. Bend, Oregon is home to three courses ranked among Golf Digest magazine’s 2013-14 list of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.”

So what makes golfing so great in the high desert? The upside of being shielded by the Cascade Mountains is that Bend enjoys a dry climate and plenty of sunshine – perfect for golf!

Under blue skies that seem to go on forever, Bend’s golf courses will take your breath away. Enjoy the heart-stopping panorama of the snow-capped Cascades from the tees and greens of the Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy design at Brasada Canyons. Craggy lava rock and ancient junipers present challenging obstacles at Pronghorn Resort’s Jack Nicklaus Course. At David McLay Kidd’s Tetherow, enjoy a links-style course amid stunning views of Bend’s icons: Mt Bachelor, Broken Top, and the Three Sisters. Towering pines and meandering streams punctuate the Audubon Sanctuary at Bob Cupp’s Crosswater course in Sunriver where an osprey or an eagle may capture a trout next to the 8th green while you are trying to putt.

Want to play some of the locals’ favorite courses? Check out Widgi Creek just off Century Drive and River’s Edge located right in the middle of town. Fore!