Thar’s Gold In Them Thar Hills

by Clifford Cowley

I am always hunting for that little known gem of a golf course.  Whenever I travel, I look in the phone book for that inexpensive “9-holer” that I can play in a quick hour and a half and be on my way, nobody (especially my wife) the wiser (hope she doesn’t read this one).  Not only do they allow me to get my golf fix, but those courses always have things about them that make them special.  Laurel Hill Golf Course, near the town of Gold Hill, Oregon, is no exception.  

Located in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, just 15 minutes from Medford, Laurel Hill sits on 28 acres that was literally carved out of the timber by Harvey Granger in 1975.  After being involved in the golf industry for many years, Granger purchased a 350 acre parcel near Gold Hill and went straight to work on his vision of having his own golf course.  When he built the clubhouse, he also built a studio apartment on one end.  Jan Fish, Granger’s daughter, and her husband, Peter, lived in the apartment and ran the golf course when it was completed in August of 1977.  Jan recalls, “We used to get up in the morning and fix breakfast in the club house and then cook our dinner after we closed up at night.” It has been a family affair ever since.  Jan and Peter still run the golf course; Jan working in the pro-shop while Peter oversees maintenance.

Granger used rough-hewn timbers from the property for the trusses in the clubhouse, natural wood tables (any country inn would die for) and a huge fireplace and hearth.  While he gets high marks for resourcefulness, patrons get the benefit of a comfy and cozy lodge atmosphere where winter golfers can warm themselves by the fire after completing a round of golf.

Food is also available in the clubhouse.  Golfers can purchase a variety of prepackaged snacks, but the chili or one of Marge’s delicious hamburgers with your favorite soda or beer is a must after a round. 

 Facilities include a driving range and a putting green.  Golf carts are available though not really needed. The course itself winds its way through a grove of Laurel, Pine and Oak trees.  The trees are what make the course, especially in the summer time when it’s 100 degrees, according to Jan.  But the trees, which literally make Laurel Hill the “coolest” course in the summer months, can also make it challenging.  “You not only have to plan your shot for distance, but you also have to line it up for width, or the canopy of branches will come into play,” she says.  “It’s what makes the course unique, fun and challenging.”

The 1,910 yard executive par 3 shoots par 31, playing from the blue or red tees.  Man-made Sissy Creek runs across the 1st hole (one of three par 4’s), into two ponds guarding the first shot on the 9th.   Kane Creek runs on the left of the 2nd and 3rd holes providing extra giddiness for the avid golfer.  The 4th, the shortest on the course, is a tricky 110 yards with a small landing area.  Holes 5 and 6 are straight away par 3’s at 147 and 175 yards respectively.  The only uphill climb is on the 6th hole, and it’s not much, more like a gentle slope, but the green is steep and tricky, especially if your are above the hole.  Holes 7 and 8 are parallel dog leg par 4’s that allow risk-and-reward drives if you can command a draw or fade at will.  The 9th, as I mentioned before, screams out for a lay-up shot to the twin ponds unless you can accurately produce a draw that starts at 150 yards (but hey, who lays up?).  The 9th green also has a unique quality.  According to legend, the green lies right over the Vortex.  The Vortex is a mysterious “magnetic line” that runs underground through Southern Oregon.  According to legend, when Granger built the green it was flat.  Over time, the green developed a small depression on the right hand side and the ground was slightly pushed up at the back of the green.  Granger filled in the depression, only to have it reappear, and the ground at the back of the green pushed up even more, again and again.  It is said that no one, except for former maintenance superintendant, Daniel Alexander, has been able to sink a putt from that depression no matter where the flag is.  I tried.  The putts went below, beyond, above and short.  Not one hit its mark. 

Whether you are traveling through Southern Oregon or live in the Rogue Valley, if you want to get a quick golf fix and enjoy a challenge, Laurel Hill Golf Course is a golden opportunity to play a family (and pocket book) friendly golf course.  Thar’s gold in them thar’ Laurel Hill!    

Cliff Cowley lives and works in Southern Oregon.  When he is not on the golf course, he teaches English at a local middle school in Medford. He runs a writers’ group for young writers, and puts on a young writers’ camp, sponsored by the Oregon Writing Project and Southern Oregon University. He can be reached at cliff.cowley@gmail.com.