May 2015 - Black Butte Ranch

28 05, 2015

Father-Son Tournament among highlights of busy June at Black Butte Ranch
Father-Son Tournament among highlights of busy June at Black Butte Ranch

Father-Son Tournament among highlights of busy June at Black Butte Ranch

Golf has for generations provided a bonding experience passed from father to son to become an essential fabric to families of golfers. Two years ago, Black Butte Ranch created a way to celebrate this bond by sparking a new tradition: the Father-Son Classic Golf Tournament. The Father-Son Classic is back again at Big Meadow, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, on Father’s Day Weekend. Now in its third year, the Father-Son Golf Classic is the first of Black Butte Ranch’s four signature golf events. And the field is filling fast. No wonder, really. The two-person best-ball tournament — the highlight [...]

27 05, 2015

The hats are back
The hats are back

The hats are back

One of the most popular traditions at Black Butte Ranch will be underway here in a few days. What is it? Well, its the annual cap special, of course. Through the month of April, a golfer can play 18 holes at Black Butte Ranch for $42. In addition, golfers will receive a free Black Butte Ranch golf cap with a paid green fee. The front of the cap displays Black Butte Ranch’s familiar logo. But this year is particularly special. The design of the hat commemorates Black Butte Ranch’s 45th anniversary — which we will be celebrating all year [...]

26 05, 2015

Practice putting with purpose by using two easy drills

Nothing is more frustrating when enjoying a round at Black Butte Ranch than missing an easy putt, turning a par into bogey, a bogey into a double bogey or worse.Yet many golfers do not spend nearly as much time as they should practicing their putting. Or if they do spend time on the practice green, golfers often do not know who to get the most out of their practice session.Our staff of PGA professionals does have some suggestions on how to get better.“Practicing your putting is one of the most important things you can do,” says Jeff Fought, Black Butte [...]

21 05, 2015

Big Meadow’s 13th green ready for golfers

Big Meadow is finally back to being whole. The 13th green, which was reseeded earlier this year to repair damaged turf from last season, opened to golfers on Wednesday for the first time this year. Previously, Big Meadow golfers were forced to play to a temporary green on the par 3. So how does the green look? Well, if you did not know better it you might think that the 13th never had an issue at all. Jeff Fought, Black Butte Ranch’s director of golf took his first view on Wednesday morning. His reaction told the story. “Oh my gosh, [...]

21 05, 2015

Finding the best bargain takes strategy
Finding the best bargain takes strategy

Finding the best bargain takes strategy

A secret this is not: the best deals on golf equipment often come during demo days and tent sales such as the one on Saturday and Sunday at Black Butte Ranch. Black Butte Ranch’s tent sale on the Big Meadow driving range will offer discounts of as much as 70 percent. From golf balls to clubs, and from golf bags to the latest apparel, “pretty much everything we have will be on sale,” says Jeff Fought, Black Butte Ranch’s director of golf. Most of the major manufacturers will be represented, too. There is a reason that the two-day festival [...]

19 05, 2015

Golf’s impact important to Oregon and Black Butte Ranch

Since Black Butte Ranch first opened 45 years ago, golf has been a crucial component to its development as a resort. And the Ranch is far from alone. One needs only to take a golf trip to Black Butte Ranch, enjoy Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow, and then venture out to any one of 28 other Central Oregon golf courses to figure out the impact of golf. But how important is golf really? Well, pretty important it turns out, even compared with some of Oregon’s most notable industries. According to the Golf Alliance of Oregon’s Oregon Economic Impact Study, [...]

18 05, 2015

Glaze Meadow greens getting better with age

Maintaining Black Butte Ranch’s greens can be a delicate dance for a superintendent. Putting surfaces that roll too slowly can frustrate golfers. But set the greens too fast and two putts easily become four, especially for average players. Getting the greens at Glaze Meadow, which were completely rebuilt in 2012 during the $3.75 million renovation, into ideal condition has expectedly been a work in progress for superintendent Phil Lagao and his staff. This year it appears Glaze Meadow’s greens are the closest yet to optimal condition. That can be seen most easily with the early season mowing heights on [...]

7 05, 2015

Demo days the best way to shop for golf equipment
Demo days the best way to shop for golf equipment

Demo days the best way to shop for golf equipment

Remember when Rodney Dangerfield’s character in “Caddyshack” lugged a giant golf bag around loaded with what represented the most advanced golf equipment anyone could imagine? We are all still waiting for a driver that dispenses ice-cold beer, of course. But otherwise, technology has made sharp advances since those days. Today, it can be almost mind-numbing to see all the choices, all of which can be customized to anyone’s golf swing. The days of one-size-fits-all equipment are long over. Heck, even the subtle variations of golf balls are designed to maximize an individual golfer’s ability. Those advances have helped make [...]

4 05, 2015

Golf the perfect family sport
Golf the perfect family sport

Golf the perfect family sport

Ask any expert on golf and inevitably he or she will say the game needs to better attract every member of the family. It seems every organization involved with golf — from the PGA of America to major media outlets and golf course architects — is looking for ways to get families more involved in this great game. It should not be such a tough sell. Golf is a wonderful sport that is meant to be shared. And who better to share the game with than those whom you love the most? For those who grow up around the [...]