Point Roberts Golf & Country Club

“Big City Golf…Small Town Attitude”

By Cameron Healey

When I informed a few of my golf buddies that I was headed to the Point Roberts Golf & Country Club to play golf they all responded “Where’s that?” with somewhat befuddled expressions on their faces. To be honest, I had presumed that Point Roberts Golf & Country Club was an exclusive private golf club located somewhere near the Canadian border where residents probably consume Kokanee rather than Budweiser (can’t blame them really) and that the only way to get there was via boat! OK, I did say it was a mindset and the danger with all assumptions is that they are the “mother of all____”, right? The reality: Point Roberts, located in Washington’s Whatcom County, is a geographical oddity; in fact, it is actually a peninsula barely 5 square miles that is surrounded by sea on three sides and home to around 1100 residents. The fact that it remains U.S. territory and is not part of the commonwealth is largely owed to the 1846 Oregon Treaty, which in simple terms split the Pacific Northwest along the 49^th Parallel (with the exception of Vancouver Island). Go figure. The good news is the golf course did not share a similar fate? All 18 holes are located and playable on the U.S. side!

What to expect?

Point Roberts Golf & Country Club is a par-72 18 hole public track offering golfers a challenging 6,868 yards of golf from the tips. Designed by Graham Cooke & Associates, the course, opened in 2001, is open for public play and will test both the good sticks and weekend hacks to boot with a course rating of 73.5 and a slope rating of 136 from the gold tees. Just be sure to pick the right set of tees from the four available and you’ll have a pleasant and enjoyable round of golf. Golfers will also appreciate the first class practice facility including full blown driving range.

How do you get to Point Roberts? Two options: If you prefer a road trip, you can cross the border at Blaine and continue your way west for a 45 minute drive; however, be prepared to show your identification (passport, nexus, fast, sentri, enhanced driver’s license to immigration officials on more than one occasion. My recommendation? Take the faster and infinitely more scenic option of ‘flightpooling’ with the highly professional pilots of Northwest Sky Ferry (at time of writing, merging to become San Juan Airlines) located at Bellingham airport. Park your car in the adjacent car park, throw your clubs in the back of their light aircraft, buckle up, and enjoy the quick 20 min flight to Point Roberts airfield. The fun factor is ridiculous and the convenience of avoiding customs cannot be understated. Do have your passport handy—just in case. Split the price between three other golfing friends and the flight pooling is a no-brainer!

Course Highlights:

The meandering drive from the entrance of the golf course to the car park sets the stage of what lies ahead: a journey into a peaceful, almost idyllic natural setting with a golf course set amongst a natural wonderland dominated by a diverse mix of mature Red Alder, Douglas Fir and Big-Leaf Maple trees and numerous ponds and creeks, and wetlands that come into play. Smart course management and shot making—both of which it would turn out to be in short supply during my round! Of course, let’s not forget the allure of the abundant wildlife, which includes regular sightings of the American Bald Eagle and 150+ species of birds that live in or migrate through the area.  Upon arrival you are greeted by a modest rustic clubhouse that is designed with the surrounding natural environment in mind offering golfers a well-equipped pro shop and The Eagle’s Roost restaurant ready to take care of those post-round munchies. The BLTs are as generous as some of Point Robert’s fairways and highly recommended.

The opening hole is a relatively benign 372 yard (from the whites) par-4 characterized by a wide tree-lined fairway inviting a prodigious drive off the tee, but beware the audacious fairway bunkers lurking left and right. Expect an approach shot into an amenable but average sized green but try and avoid hitting long. Most memorable hole according to general manager Tad Nose is the 166 yard (tips) par-3 #8, which is a sterling par 3 hole. While not overly long, your tee shot must avoid the huge water hazard that lies in front and land beyond the three wall-like bunkers that protect a narrow but wide multiple-tiered green. Forced carry anyone? All par-5s at Point Roberts offer birdie opportunities; however, the 508 yard #5 just happens to be the number one handicapped hole on the card and a par here is a solid score. Advice: Keep the ball in the fairway and out of the thick stuff and par can be had!

What say you?

Playing golf at Point Roberts is simply a ton of fun based, in no small measure, to the appeal of the natural surroundings. If walking amongst a natural environment teeming with wildlife and tree-lined fairways that invite shot-making is high on your wish list, Point Roberts is a must-visit and must-play. Stay overnight and really explore what makes this rather interesting part of the world special.  Golf rates are reasonable at the modest sum of $40 weekday and only $50 on the weekends (power cart extra). During summer, sunset rates start at 3pm and you’ll pay only $25. Prices do not include tax 8.5% Washington State Tax. Early bird, Twilight and Sunset times are subject to change with the season. Please contact the Golf Shop for inquiries, 604.694.0222.

*Photos courtesy Point Roberts Golf & Country Club.

www.pointrobertsgolfcourse.com