Fall is in the air, which in Central Oregon means one thing: The Lithia Pacific Amateur Golf Classic must be around the corner.

Indeed, the Pac Am will be back Sept. 19 through Sept. 22. And this year is particularly special: It is the 20th anniversary year for the annual net amateur golf championship.

Black Butte Ranch’s Big Meadow is once again proud to be among the host courses. Ranked by Golfweek Magazine as among Oregon’s best golf courses, Big Meadow is a pleasure to play most any time. But during a stroke-play tournament like the Pac Am? Well, that’s a whole other experience.

If you are among those playing at Big Meadow for the 2016 Pac Am, well it might serve you well to know some things before teeing off. (Or even if you are just playing Big Meadow for a causal round, for that matter!)

Here are few things Pac Am golfers can expect:

  • Black Butte Ranch superintendent Phil Lagao loves to prepare his golf courses for tournament play. I mean, he really LOVES it. And that means you should expect a firm and fast Big Meadow that is in absolutely peak condition.

  • Speaking of firm and fast, the greens at Big Meadow will be quick and subtly difficult. Pay particular attention to your line, especially on those makeable 6-footers.

  • Follow the bunkering. Robert Muir Graves, the legendary architect who designed Big Meadow, uses fairway bunkers to help point the way. The key is understanding what the golf course is trying to tell you.

  • Speaking of understanding the course, you will notice that Big Meadow’s mounding helps define Graves’ layout. If played properly, that mounding opens the door for golfers to be aggressive.

  • With three practice greens, which includes two short-game areas, and a full-size driving range all resting feet from the first and 10th tees, Pac Am golfers have ample opportunity to fine-tune their games before teeing off.

  • The views from Big Meadow can be spectacular. Try not to the let the beauty distract you … at least too much.

  • And finally, you will want make time for a drink or bite to eat at Robert’s Pub in the Big Meadow clubhouse. (The breakfast burrito is delicious!) Recently renovated, the outdoor patio has amazing mountain and golf course views. There is hardly a better 19th hole anywhere in Central Oregon.

We at Black Butte Ranch can hardly wait until the Pac Am tees off.

For information or to make a tee time at Big Meadow or Glaze Meadow, call the Big Meadow Golf Shop at 541-595-1545 or book online. Call 866-901-2961 to take advantage of Black Butte Ranch’s golf packages. For more information on how to create the perfect golf vacation at Black Butte Ranch call Ryan at 541-595-1292 or email him at rdunning@blackbutteranch.com.