Gamble Sands Breaks Ground On Its Second Course Designed By David McLay Kidd, Dubbed Quicksands
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2020-05-30
Gamble Sands, one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America” located in Brewster, Wash., recently broke ground on its second course – dubbed Quicksands – a 14-hole routing designed by David McLay Kidd. Quicksands is the first short course designed by McLay Kidd and will be the first of its kind in Washington state. The course is expected to be completed and open for limited preview rounds this fall.
McLay Kidd’s award-winning course designs include Gamble Sands, Bandon Dunes and his latest creation, Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Nekoosa, Wisc. McLay Kidd and partner, Nick Schaan, were hands-on in the creation of Quicksands, working with the crew, running equipment and shaping with hand tools. Quicksands is laid out to the east of the Gamble Sands clubhouse, between the range and the entry road, on a 25-acre parcel of heaving and rolling sand dunes of which the team took full advantage.
“Historically short courses were often after thoughts, squeezed into useless corners for non-golfers to go try their hand,” said McLay Kidd. “Today short courses have become a serious addition to world-class golf resorts. The best land is sought, the best talent is brought to bear, expectations are high, and we don’t plan to disappoint.”
Quicksands intends to take the imaginative shot making that rewards the golfer on Gamble Sands’ first course and kick it into a high gear on this short course. Holes vary wildly from 60 to 160 yards. Every hole offers a unique challenge to a golfer’s skills and imagination. The working names of holes gives some sense of what awaits, including Plinko, Crater, Donut and Boomerang to name a few. View the Quicksands preview video prepared by McLay Kidd:
Quicksands will have an emphasis on fun as only Gamble Sands can do. Guests will interact and socialize along the way, while enjoying the course-wide sound system – some days golfers will play along to the Eagles, and other days it may be Metallica.
“We expect a lot of whooping and hollering throughout the course, giving it a strong social vibe,” said Brady Hatfield, general manager, Gamble Sands. “Plus, Quicksands will not be an overly stern test of ones golf game. With limited force carries and tons of turf, golfers will have lots of shot options.”
Quicksands adds to an impressive collection of golf and hospitality amenities at Gamble Sands. The 18-hole Sands Course opened for play in 2014 to widespread acclaim, with the 100,000 square foot Cascades putting course following shortly thereafter. The Inn at Gamble Sands features oversized rooms that perfectly match the wide-open nature of Gamble Sands as big rooms open to the big golf course, framed by even bigger views that sweep across the Columbia River Valley. The Danny Boy Bar and Grill is a gathering place for golfers and casual diners alike. Large garage-style doors roll open to outdoor dining and more views of the Cascades and Columbia River Valley.
“Enjoying the game of golf is the name of the game at Gamble Sands,” said Tory Wulf, project manager at Gamble Sands. “By adding Quicksands as the next piece of the puzzle we are providing another enjoyable and timely option for all levels of golfers. We recognized this as the next step in the Gamble Golf Experience. Come out and see for yourself!”
For more information on Gamble Sands, visit www.gamblesands.com or call 509-436-8323.
About Gamble Sands
Located in central Washington in the town of Brewster, the 7,169-yard Sands course at Gamble Sands opened for public play in 2014 among widespread industry acclaim. Both GOLF magazine and Golf Digest named it the “Best New” golf course of 2014. It is currently listed among “Golfweek’s Best: Modern Courses, 2019,” and also ranks No. 1 in “Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play” in Washington. It currently is No. 35 on Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses as well as No. 48 on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play. Designed by the renowned David McLay Kidd, the Sands course is a true links layout set in the high desert overlooking the Columbia River with sandy soil, traditional fine fescue grasses, firm surfaces, wide fairways and massive greens. The club also offers caddie services, a complete practice facility, golf shop, Danny Boy Bar & Grill, and lodging at The Inn at Gamble Sands featuring meeting and event space as well as the 100,000 square-foot Cascades Putting Green.
About OB Sports & Troon
Gamble Sands is professionally managed by OB Sports with the additional support from its parent company, Troon. OB Sports is a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success in the golf industry. Acquired by Troon in April 2019, OB Sports manages approximately 60 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States and two internationally. For more information on OB Sports, visit obsports.com.
Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 440-plus locations around the globe, including managing 485-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses in 43 states and 31 countries. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 400 food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Green Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.