Located more than a bit off the beaten trail in Astoria, Columbia Park makes good use of limited space and the few interesting terrain features available. One of the best aspects of this course are several holes with multiple lines (2,5,6,7,9). Those with game are going to find most holes too fundamental but trying out an unothadox line or two will probably be enough to keep things interesting. Columbia also has plenty of variety With several holes playing up, down, and across the hills, low ceiling, high ceiling, and a tight hooks.

Hole Profile:
While hole 7 is probably the most unique shot out here, I'd have to say hole 5 is the most interesting and possibly most challenging of the bunch. Hole 5 plays along a side hill moving down/right and is lined with thorns on the right and several large guard trees which provide nice protection for the pin. From both tees, there are at least three viable lines off the teepad all of which have little bonuses and challenges. From the short tee, I felt like a short flexing sidearm would have given me birdies most consistently although the hyzer was probably the easiest way to get to 30' or so. From the long tee, my selection was nearly entirely different and the big, bombing turnover well left of the defined fairway seemed like the best option because of the much higher ceiling. As I learned on one of my practice shots, missing the window on the right side can also get you into big trouble and painful thorns. In addition to the big turnover, a tight hyzer and a really powerful sky hyzer offer a safer way to attack the hole.

The biggest con of this course are the number of holes that play across open fields. However, the location pretty much dictates that more than a few holes would have relatively few obstacles. The course designers have done a nice job adding a little challenge to these with elevation and side hills. That said, advanced and pro players are only going to find a few holes out here very challenging. (ex. 3,5)

Again, this was a solid little 9'er and well suited to the beginner/casual player. The short tees are easily short enough for even the newest of players and would make a great place to learn about throwing with elevation and wind!

This course climbs up a hill and then back down for lots of elevation changes. A few of the holes are wide open and a few use old forest and parts of what look like an orchard for variety. The maps were easy to read. The brick tee boxes were of an average size.

Hole 8 crosses over a swampy area that was a couple inches deep. Hole 9 literally goes through a thorn patch. When I got there I saw a group completely skip hole 9 and I wondered why, then I found out.

This is a good basic course, but several patches of thorns off hole 1 and completly all over hole 9 make this a bit more of an adventure than I'm used to.