Long views and wide fairways: Brasada Canyons golf course at Brasada Ranch in sunny central Oregon
POWELL BUTTE, Ore. -- Located on slopes overlooking the central Oregon valley, Brasada Canyons at Brasada Ranch is one of the area's true standout golf experiences.
It opened in 2007 during the area's upscale golf boom that also included courses such as Pronghorn Golf Club and Tetherow.
Brasada Canyons -- designed by Oregon native Peter Jacobsen with Jim Hardy -- plays up and down the slopes of the mountains. In fact, the course has about 800 feet of elevation change from its lowest to highest point (over 4,000 feet). Holes that play up the mountain have desert and mountain backdrops, while holes that head downhill have gorgeous, expansive views of the surrounding valley.
There are five sets of tees playing nearly 7,300 yards from the back box. Fairways here are generally forgiving, but the greens are usually well defended by large bunkers.
Brasada Canyons' closing stretch is particularly exciting, with two downhill finishers, the par-3 17th and par-5 18th hole.
The course is part of a small but growing residential community and members club that doubles as a ranch resort. Guests can stay in lodges or in guest rooms below the clubhouse. Among the amenities for golfers is a 5-acre practice area.