Four Itchy Feet

July 28, 2025. Seattle, Washington. Day 68 of 170

Today, we returned to the golf course, eager to play after a two-month hiatus. The weather was perfect as we ventured east of Seattle to Twin Rivers Golf Course. We arrived early and were quickly sent off. When I asked the attendant about the course’s most unique feature, he quipped, “This is not a Golf Country Club; it is a Golf Club in the Country.”

Twin Rivers Golf Course opened on Memorial Weekend in 1994. Its founders, Richard, Pat, Tom, and Eleanor Rutledge, faced tremendous challenges with permits and construction costs that nearly ruined them before anyone could even strike a golf ball. Despite these hurdles, their dream and hard work resulted in a beautiful and friendly golf course.

As average golfers who have never played anywhere west of Montana, please take our comments with caution. We found the course layout very friendly; most holes are straight and flat, and the greens are easy to read. While we played well, our scores suffered due to the firmness of the fairways and greens. I landed at least six shots with high-lofted clubs on or just short of the green, but they all failed to hold. To add insult to injury, the back of the greens was often overgrown with vegetation very close to the putting surface, leading to several penalties, especially on par threes. There’s also no rough to speak of, so the ball simply rolls off the fairway or greens.

Despite the challenges we faced, we recommend giving Twin Rivers a shot; it’s worth the price. If you’re physically capable, walk the course. The golf carts are in poor shape, and there are no cart paths, which makes transitioning from hole to hole difficult. Be aware that the ball will roll endlessly after it lands, so club down. The front of the green is never protected by bunkers, and overshooting it will penalize you every time.

We plan a couple more rounds in the area before heading to Japan and will report back. If you have any recommendations, please don’t hesitate to comment!