A year after Oregon Amateur Championship, the OGA returns to Black Butte Ranch
One of Black Butte Ranch’s unquestionable missions is to support amateur golf. We do this in all kinds of ways, from our junior golf programs to our own, fun, unique signature golf events. But one of the most noticeable methods is as a host to the state and regional championships of both the Oregon Golf Association.
A year after Glaze Meadow hosted the prestigious 107th Oregon Amateur Championship, Big Meadow will take center stage Saturday through Tuesday as it hosts the Oregon Golf Association Oregon Amateur Four-Ball Championship. With a field limited by handicap, the second annual event will tee off with many of the top amateur golfers from across the state in the field.
A match-play team event, the competition on the course should be exceptional. And for Black Butte Ranch, it’s an opportunity to show Black Butte Ranch to the state’s best, something the staff here always enjoys. More importantly, though, it’s an opportunity for Black Butte Ranch and its golf staff to continue to give back to the game.
“We truly look forward to hosting these kinds of events,” said Jeff Fought, Black Butte Ranch’s director of golf. “There are only so many tournaments of this caliber here in Oregon, so the opportunities to host are rare. We always want to put our best foot forward when we do get the chance. The bottom line is that like the Oregon Amateur last year, it is always an honor to host a championship such as this.”
The passion for amateur golf comes from a personal place. The golf staff at Black Butte Ranch has deep roots in amateur golf.
Fought, who grew up in the Portland area, nearly won the 1980 Oregon Amateur Championship, falling in the championship match to Gay Davis. George Mack Jr., Black Butte Ranch’s longtime director of instruction, won the 1990 Oregon Amateur. And assistant pro Casey King, a former Oregon State University player, was among the top amateurs in Oregon for years and was frequently contending in the state’s major amateur championships.
“It’s in tournaments like these that most of us developed our games,” Fought said. “Every member of Black Butte Ranch’s professional golf staff grew up playing amateur golf, and we want to be able to keep these traditions going in any way we can, even if it’s a new tradition like the Oregon Four-Ball Championship.”
Hosting an event like the Four-Ball Championship comes with some sacrifices. Big Meadow will continue to stay open to the public throughout the tournament, but with only limited tee times.
But one of the reasons Black Butte Ranch is able to accommodate such high-level amateur events is because we offer two championship golf courses. And Glaze Meadow ensures that every golfer who wants to play at Black Butte Ranch will be able to tee it up.
“It is important that we don’t displace the homeowners and everyday golfers who make Black Butte Ranch so special to begin with,” Fought said. “We’re fortunate in that we have two of the finest venues in the state to help ease the burden.”
It should be another fantastic week of amateur golf at Black Butte Ranch.
For those who want to watch the action in person, spectators are welcome. Others can follow the action at OGA.org. Those who want to play Glaze Meadow can take advantage of our $99 unlimited golf special or other fantastic rates.
Book a tee time online, call 855-210-5305, or the Golf Shop at 541-595-1545.