Auburn Golf Course: Then and Now!

by Cameron Healey

The last time I played Auburn’s municipal golf course was a distant six years ago. That’s a long time in golf years. Back then, the club house, was modest, but inviting, and had served local golfers well since it first opened for business in 1958. Fast forward to 2009.

I drove into the parking lot to make my mid-morning tee time, I literally did a double take at what appeared before me. I had to confirm the address on my GPS just to make sure that I had actually arrived at the Auburn Golf Course and not somewhere else. I had heard from some local golfing buddies that the City of Auburn had made some changes to the course and facilities in recent years, but when I looked up at a modern and almost “stately” clubhouse that, frankly, looked like it belonged more at a high end country club, I was genuinely surprised. Gone was the original wooden clubhouse that had stood steadfast for almost 50 years and in its place a handsome, symbolic structure depicts a new era in Auburn municipal golf.

Now, for those who are geographically-challenged and wondering where Auburn is located, Auburn Golf Course is located between Seattle and Tacoma in the shadow of the 12,000 foot Mt. Rainier. With the meandering Green River as its eternal neighbor, the course sits atop 150 lush acres and although modern suburbia is never far from its fairways, the bordering hillsides are used to good effect and make for a diverse golfing experience.

The new clubhouse opened in late 2007 and features a modern, well-equipped pro-shop, spacious lobby, and for those who want more than a bag of peanuts and a coke, the new Copper Falls Restaurant and Bar offers golfers a 110-seat restaurant and lounge with a large outdoor patio and a 150-seat banquet facility with the option for smaller meeting rooms. Designed by locals David A. Clark Architects and built by Briere & Associates, the new clubhouse replaces the 2,500 square-foot facility that was originally built in 1958. And, yes, if you’ve played at nearby Foster or Maplewood golf courses, just to name a few, you can’t help but see the Clark influence there as well.

Over the past several years, the Auburn Golf Course has been completely transformed with the reconstruction of nine fairways, 15 greens, and 17 tee boxes. More than a touch up, right! The most recent renovation includes the lengthening of the 11th hole, which now takes golfers 330 yards uphill to a new 6,000-foot green. Golfers also have the benefit of putting and chipping greens adjacent to the first hole to help fine tune the short game.

So, what should you expect from the new Auburn Golf Course? Auburn’s 6450 yard (from the tips) eighteen-hole course offers scenic views from several elevated holes and is generally regarded as a solid, but challenging par 71 course. With over 50,000 rounds of golf each year, Auburn is a magnet for area golfers and my re-acquaintance with it did not disappoint. With over 20 bunkers, two ponds with fountains, and a waterfall, Auburn is attractive and for the most part, very playable for golfers of all abilities.

For low handicappers, some of Auburn’s holes are unlikely to cause much “9-iron on tree” violence, such as the 373 yard, straightaway par 4 opening hole. With trees lining both sides of the fairway, a straight drive off the tee will provide for a relatively straightforward second shot to a slightly uphill, but flattish green. For the weekend warrior, the opening hole will provide ample challenge and a solid par will set the tone for a good round.

Naturally during my round, there were a few holes that caught my eye and deserve special mention. One of my favorites is hole #15 described as the “cliff hole,” a medium length 366 yard par 4 with a terrific view to the west from the tee box. Don’t be surprised to see the odd light airplane on final approach into Auburn’s municipal airport while you set up to use your hybrid or 3 wood off the tee. The drop in elevation from the tee to the fairway is over 60 feet on this sharp dogleg right and woods protect the right side of the fairway and two fairway bunkers on the right hand turn. If you are a lefty, a draw into the fairway below is an ideal play; however, you may need to club down to avoid hitting your tee shot through the fairway.

My other favorite, predictably perhaps, is Auburn’s marquee, postcard-perfect par-3 hole 16. Measuring 175 yards from the blue markers, your are greeted by a two-tiered, cascading waterfall as a back drop, which only serves to defer your attention from the many hazards that await you, including bunkers on the front, right, and back of the green, not to mention the lake front and left of this large putting surface. I gave up counting the number of tiers on the green, but three is a safe bet and if you hit it long and left(as I did) you can expect a down-hill putt that will thoroughly test your putting mettle. Speed control is important to ensure that you don’t run it off the green and into the water hazard. Hit the middle of the green to ensure a stab at regulation par. Given Auburn’s popularity, the good news is that the course is well maintained and does not show the usual wear and tear often associated with a high volume course. My only knock on Auburn that day was the numbers-driven pace of play, which led to an almost 5 hour round. A little north of my budgeted Tuesday golfing time; however, that being said, my overall enjoyment of the course coupled with competitive rates year round, Auburn Golf Course is a quality experience and I’ll be planning my return sooner rather than later.

Check out www.auburngolf.org for further details on their lesson program with professional instruction led by head Pro Chris Morris, tournaments, Men’s and Women’s Club events, a Junior Program, and student and senior rates.