Prive
High Desert Highlight
What do you call a person who lives in Bend, Oregon? A Bendite? A Bender? A Bendonian? Of course, many people who visit this high-desert city in Central Oregon would be happy to be called anything if they could just call the place home. When it comes to what to call members of the revered Broken Top Club — one of Bend’s premier private country clubs — there is one word that immediately comes to mind: fortunate.
Established in 1993, the club is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. Located just minutes from downtown Bend (population 107,305), Broken Top is definitely a desirable place to call home. Outdoor lovers have been making a beeline to Bend for decades. The alpine skiing (at nearby Mt. Bachelor), the legendary fly-fishing on the Deschutes River, the hiking in the nearby wilderness areas, and the never-ending networks of fast-and-flowy mountain biking trails are just a few of the draws.
And, obviously, “Benders” (and wannabe “Benders”) can, after their outdoor adventures are complete, sample a craft beer or two at one of the 30 craft breweries in town. But Bend also knows a thing or two about golf. Ask in-the-know golfers in Oregon and they’ll tell you that this is one of the best golf destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
Tetherow, a stunning David McLay Kidd creation (DMK is a “Bendite”), is actually situated right next door to Broken Top. Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio, with their workmanship at Pronghorn (another notable golf outpost in the area) have also left their mark in the region.
Top Tier Golf
But make no mistake, the workmanship of the late Tom Weiskopf and the late Jay Morrish at Broken Top certainly belongs in Bend’s upper tier. The 7,161-yard, par-72 layout is a testament to the vision and talent of this legendary design duo. Stunning views of the Cascades, beautiful shaping and white-sand bunkering, and tall Ponderosa pines lining most holes are just some of the notable attributes here.
“The views are just incredible out there,” head golf professional Andrew Hopkins-Payne said. While numerous peaks of the Cascade Range are prominent, the legendary Broken Top, after which the club is named, is the showstopper. This 9,177-foot glacier-eroded peak, an ancient volcano, dominates the skyline.
According to Hopkins-Payne, “The par-4 11th is our signature hole. It features a large pumice pit [lava pit] that guards the front of the small, elevated green. Basically, it creates an 80-foot cliff in front of the green … it’s an intimidating approach!”
Not surprisingly, and in keeping with virtually every Morrish/Weiskopf course, the layout also features a par-4 where reaching the green is doable. In the case of Broken Top, it’s No. 9.
“According to the card, it’s 356 yards from the tips,” Hopkins-Payne said. “However, when you take the direct line it’s more like 300. The green is guarded by a deep bunker in front, three large pine trees that must be negotiated, as well as lava rock, native grass, and sand. It’s a risky shot but a big reward is certainly possible!”
An Exceptional Community
As good as the golf course is at Broken Top, the members of this private club and gated community have opportunities to participate in many other “sporty” endeavors. Pickleball, for example, is hugely popular. Thanks to numerous clinics, leagues, and tournaments, the energy around this fun and accessible game is steadily growing at Broken Top.
Tennis courts, a salt-water-based outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa, steam rooms, yoga studio, and trout fishing in the six-acre lake by the clubhouse are other amenities and activities at this world-class “playground.”
Last, but certainly not least, the palatial 27,000-square-foot clubhouse, which features, perhaps, the best mountain views in all of Bend, is a sprawling and luxurious fortress that, fittingly, can hold its own when compared to the top private clubs in the country.
Designed by the esteemed architectural firm of Wimberly, Allison, Tong, and Goo, or WATG (they have designed projects in over 160 countries on six different continents), the impressive and sophisticated clubhouse at Broken Top features exposed timber trestles, rough-hewn rock, a massive wood-burning fireplace, event space, and plenty of indoor and outdoor dining options. Throw in the exceptional quality of the food and beverage service and, regardless of what you call them — maybe “Broken Toppers?” — you’ve got a refuge that every member and guest at Broken Top relishes on every visit.
Broken Top Club
Bend, Oregon
www.BrokenTop.com
