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Crosswaters Golf Course at Sunriver Resort

Bob Cupp, former golf course architect with the Nicklaus Design firm, has in recent years established himself as a notable American golf architect - a credit that could theoretically be based entirely on the man's work in the state of Oregon. Consider his most critically acclaimed works here (Witch Hollow and Ghost Creek at Pumpkin Ridge, just outside Portland) and this, the Crosswaters Course at Sunriver, and Cupp lays claim to three of the top venues in the state. Between the three designs, Cupp has shown his diversity and his creativity, and at Crosswaters, the top choice at Sunriver, these talents are on full display.   

What could be so special about Sunriver? Well, the setting for one. Playing through a broad and vibrant meadow shelved by beautiful mountain ranges, the Crosswaters layout is aptly named: players must play forced carries over the Deschutes and Little Deschutes rivers as many as seven times. Due to Sunriver's elevation of 4,160 feet, well up in the Cascade Mountains, Cupp made Crosswaters a 'big' course, and certainly succeeded. Measuring a whopping 7,683 yards from the gold tees, players on the Crosswaters Course only receive marginal assistance from the thinner mountain air. As the yardage would suggest, it plays extremely long. 

The course is an excellent choice for the setting, with the enormity of the course relating well to the vast girth of the meadow.  For a course this long, Cupp appropriately gives the golfer plenty of room off the tee.  However, hitting the fairway is not the only objective, but hitting the proper side opens up the greens for an easier approach. 

The course gets off to a gentle start with the shortest par four on the golf course, but immediately turns the corner with the great par-five second hole.  Measuring 582 yards from the tips, this par five gives the golfer plenty of room to set up for their third shot into this undulating green, fronted by water and guarded in the rear by deep bunkers.  The prudent lay-up is to the right side of the fairway, as it affords an open angle to the green, allowing your shot to be run up while also diminishing the psychological fear of the approach.

The third is worth mention, as this is the first use of the long rough, which doesn’t come into play on the 188-yard par three, but provides wonderful contrast. These aesthetics do not go unnoticed by the golfer and enhance the surroundings.  

The role of the Deschutes and Little Deschutes becomes quite apparent on the fifth hole, with a forced carry from the tee on this 460-yard par four. These forced carries from the back tees are commonplace at Crosswaters, but what Cupp manages to negotiate well is the lack of punishment for the shorter hitter playing from more forward tees. The drive is across the river to a fairway running diagonally to the left.  After safely negotiating the drive, the approach is not an easy one to a well-protected, albeit deep green.

The front nine closes with another brute, the 456-yard ninth hole, which has the largest green on the course, measuring 53 yards in length. Again, the key strategy is not merely to get the ball on the green, but to find the proper quadrant, determined by the day's pin position.

The 12th hole on the back nine is intimidating from just a glance at the scorecard, let alone the view from the tee. Playing 687 yards from the back tees, this par five is a true three-shot hole, with water guarding the entire left side. For such a lengthy hole, the green is surprisingly shallow, and a long drive and second shot are needed down the right side of the fairway, pinched by bunkers, to leave the best angle of approach.

Following the grueling 12th, Cupp offers the golfer a breather with the 171-yard, par-three 13th.  A solid iron shot to the center of the green will offer a decent chance at birdie on this receptive green.

After a strong stretch from 14 to 16, the course comes at the golfer with most challenging par three on the course.  Measuring 244 yards from the tips, the 17th is not only long, but also very exposed to the elements should the wind be blowing. The green is a monster, so try to place the ball in the same region as the pin, a task much easier said than done.

The finishing hole at Crosswaters is an exceptional strong par four. Measuring 456 yards from the back tee, the second shot is fittingly played over the river to a narrow, angled green. This tough finishing hole is a culmination of a very strong stretch of holes on the inward half

The course is certainly the definition of big, however, it is the setting and the ability to incorporate the wetlands and rivers into the design that are inevitably Crosswaters' most redeeming features. The size of the fairways and greens also allow the average golfer the ability to negotiate the course in reasonable fashion, especially if the proper tees are chosen.

The wetlands, which are featured prominently in the mountain valley setting, have been well preserved, and as a result, the course has been recognized as a certified Audubon Sanctuary.

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