Black Butte Ranch’s championship golf courses are at their emerald-green finest, which is to be expected this time of year. For Black Butte Ranch’s maintenance staff, though, keeping Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow in peak shape can get a little, well, routine.

Which is why Superintendent Phil Lagao’s eyes light up when one of Black Butte Ranch’s Signature Golf Events is approaching. For him and his crew, every golf tournament represents a chance to put the golf courses through their paces, priming each for an unforgettable golf experience.

“Preparing for a golf tournament is something that is just a little bit different for us, and it is usually a lot of fun,” Lagao said.

Now the crew has trained its focus on the Battle at the Butte, which is scheduled for Aug. 27-28 at both Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow.

Both courses will gradually reach near-perfect condition. And the golfers (there is still space available) who play in the 36-hole, two-person team format will be treated to two golf courses in ideal shape.

“We will be dialed in,” Lagao said. “We will double-cut and roll the greens to give players the smooth, slick conditions that we always present our tournament players with. It should be very challenging while being both fun and fair.”

The work is a bit easier this year, mainly because both golf course are already in prime shape. Glaze Meadow hosted the 2016 Oregon Amateur Championship in June, which gave Lagao and his staff the chance to get the golf course into the best shape it has ever been in.

And the reviews of Big Meadow’s conditioning this season are as good as ever.

“We’ve already done a lot of the detail work thanks to those earlier tournaments,” Lagao said. “And now our staff, even the new ones who joined the crew this year, are completely up to speed on how to prepare a golf course for tournament play.”

The conditioning will have to hold, too. After the Battle at the Butte, fellow Signature Event Grapes & Golf will tee off Sept. 8-10 in a fun couples format. Big Meadow will also host a portion of the Lithia Pacific Amateur Golf Classic, and both courses will host the Oregon PGA’s Fall Tour later in September.

Then, finally, the crew will turn to preparing Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow for the winter.

“It seems like the season just started,” Lagao said. “It goes by so fast.”

There is still space available to play in the Battle at the Butte. Cost to play is $450 per two-person team. That includes fantastic tee prizes, lunch at Robert’s Pub, an awards barbeque after play, merchandise payouts, and the thrill of challenging two of the most beautiful golf courses in Central Oregon.

Entries are limited to the first 120 golfers, and open, senior and women’s divisions are available. (The maximum course handicap is 36 for men, 34 for women.) Discounted lodging packages are also available for Battle at the Butte golfers.

To sign up or for more information, register online, visit the information page, call 541-595-1292 or email golfgroups@blackbutteranch.com.

For daily fee golf at Black Butte Ranch, book a tee time online, call 855-210-5305, or the Golf Shop at 541-595-1545.