Gamble Sands- “If You Build It, They Will Come”
There seems to be a new trend in golf course architecture to build courses in the middle of nowhere. Gamble Sands is no exception. Everyone remembers this iconic scene from The Field of Dreams…
“If you build it, he will come” seems to work for many of these high end golf courses. Similar golf destinations that come to mind include Whistling Straights in Wisconsin, Arcadia Bluffs in northern Michigan, and Bandon Dunes along the Oregon Coast. Gamble Sands is a Washington State golf destination. The name of the course itself is enticing. Located in Brewster, Washington it is not quickly accessible by any mode of transportation.
Gamble Sands originated as a dream of the Gebbers, a wealthy farming family. They originally planned a 36 hole venue “Gamble Cliffs and Gamble Sands”. After the recession in the mid 2000’s the plans for Gamble Cliffs was postponed. They hired David McClay Kidd, a Scottish born golf architect who famously designed Bandon Dunes, to design Gamble Sands.
Golf Digest and most other golf course reviewers ranks Gamble Sands on its list of the Top 10 Washington State Golf Courses. It is second only to Chambers Bay as the best public course in the state. Finding the time to both make the trip and someone dedicated enough to go with me took a few years. Finally the stars aligned.
Warning: Too Much Bromance for Some
In medical school I played most rounds with one of my classmates, Judd. We were both broke but were willing to take out extra loans to pay for our addiction. The unwritten rule was that if an invitation to golf was extended you dropped studying to go. Most rounds it worked best for us to wake up at 4am to drive an hour to play some of the great courses in Wisconsin.
Let me share a “hypothetical” conversation with Judd a few weeks ago:
Judd- “Most of my surgeries canceled for the day, we should go golfing”
David- “Are you going to tell your wife?”
Judd- “Of course” (I added that in for you Haley)
David- “Let’s go play Gamble Sands”
Judd- “Hmm…That’s pretty far away. I haven’t seen my kids all week.”
David- “For that past 10 years of med school and residency you have been an absent father. Take a moment and consider the psychological damage that you can inflict on your spouse and your children by introducing yourself into their lives too quickly.”
Judd- “You’re right. I need to quit thinking of myself…Gamble Sands it is.”
I am happy to be a counselor for my friends in their time of need. You’re welcome Haley for saving your marriage and your children’s mental health.
A Road Less Traveled
The trip up to Gamble Sands is less than exciting. The 3 hour trip is easily cut down by 30 minutes with semi-aggressive driving on the lonely farm roads. Robert Frost’ poem The Road Not Taken came to mind on the way up to Gamble Sands.
Gamble Sands- First Impressions
The facilities at Gamble Sands are impressive. When you first pull up the clubhouse and restaurant are prominent and the course fades in the distance. The driving range is reasonable and the practice putting green is massive. After the $130 price tag though I wondered if it would all be worth it. It seemed liked a nice desert golf course at first glance but nothing that blew me away. Although I grew up playing desert golf my preference has always been to play mountain or ocean courses.
Round Highlights
With each hole the course became more and more exciting to play. The experience was as good as it gets. It is appropriately ranked in the top 5 Washington State golf courses. I ended up with several birdies, a few bogies, and mostly pars. Somehow despite beating Judd he took all of my money. I will at least take the moral victory for the win. My three round highlights are below:
- Drove the green on 3 par 4’s
- Shot a 77. I’m always happy to break 80 on a new course
- Beat Judd by 1 stroke
Course Highlights
This was one of the more fun courses I have ever played. The views of the Columbia River were stunning. When I initially arrived at the course I was not blown away. My mind changed quickly when I began playing. The course design makes the experience worthwhile. Here are my three take aways from the round.
1. Tees, Fairways, and Greens, Oh My
The courses fine fescue grass makes for some exciting links style golf. There is no distinction between the tees and fairways with the tee markers seemingly placed in random spots. The fairways are tightly cut and flow seamlessly into the greens making putting the preferred shot from anywhere close to the green. It reminds me of Chambers Bay. The fairways were very wide making for a fun round without needing to search for the occasional errant tee shot. The course has a reputation of being playable for all skill levels. The lack of any homes on the course makes the fairways seem wider than they really are.
2. Gamble Sands
Quickly into your round you realize where the name “Sands” in Gamble Sands came from. Bunkers are everywhere and are filled with native sand that is disastrous to get out of. I fortunately didn’t spend much time in it, but I quickly picked up a double bogey on one hole while trying to escape. It was reminiscent of the quicksand in the Forest of Despair.
3. Stunning Views
The tight fairways, quick greens, and Gamble Sands are dwarfed by the stunning views of the Columbia River and orchards below.
Danny Boy
No golf trip is complete without a good meal at the end. Danny Boy, Gamble Sands restaurant, did not disappoint. Not quite as good as my brisket, but still pretty good. Eat up before you leave because you will not see another restaurant for hours on the ride home.
Nobody sings Danny Boy like Harry Connick Jr in Memphis Belle.
Gamble Sands- A Road Worth Taking
Even for the avid golfer it seems shocking to travel 3 hours to play a course in the middle of nowhere. Gamble Sands is a must play Washington State golf destination. The Gebbers family knew what they were doing when they built this course. It was as fun to play as any course I have been on. Gamble Sands is worth all accolades. They built it. You should come.
About the Author
I am a husband, father, ER doctor, and an avid golfer. With a handicap of 3.2 I have a fairly legitimate claim to be among the Top 100 Physician Golfers in the United States. You can read more about my story on my about page. Feel free to contact me or follow my sites on social media.
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