b'Clubhousewith a view.at Desert Peaksby Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield golf once a week.T he clubhouse at Desert PeaksSince taking over Golf Club in Madras, Oregon, is amanagement, Beamish has welcoming respite from a swelteringseen membership grow triple-digit-heat day in Oregons highfrom 120 to 250. We keep desert. Inside the open floor plan, thereour membership pricing low are cool beverages and warm-heartedat $100 a month to attract exchanges between members, as wellold and new players. Youngsters can play as with players new to the nine-holefor $15 a month, with no restrictions on municipal course.the weekends. Behind the counter, clubhouseIn addition to a number of youth-associate Bob Rogers customizes a jumbooriented programs, Desert Peaks hot dog, draws a cool beer, and serves upoffers a range of Chapmans and other a range of canned cocktails. At anothertournaments, including the longest-counter, he checks in players, even lettingrunning couples tournament, according two little dogs stay in his air-conditionedto Beamish.office while their owner plays a roundAt 570 yards, the ninth hole is the in the 104-degree heat. This brand oflongest on the course, while the par-3 friendliness is what can be expectedeighth sits at between 80-100 yards. This throughout Desert Peaks. is where most people get a hole in one, Opened in 1962 as 9 Peaks, theBeamish says. Its where I got mine.with unobstructed views of no less than original 18-hole course was eventuallyAmong other maintenance priorities,nine snow-capped Cascade Mountain scaled down to nine holes and renamedBeamish and his crew of five keep tendingpeaks. In the summer, it is a perfect Desert Peaks. In 2021, the city of Madrasthe greens with reclaimed irrigation water.viewing spot for the annual Airshow of took over all operations of the facility andA putting green and driving range werethe Cascades, staged at the neighboring hired a manager to run it.recently added on the grounds. Madras Municipal Airport. Shane Beamish, a former deputyMy dream is to see this courseA new cart barn with towering fir and police officer, oversees the rye andturned back to the original 18, Beamishrafters is used for storing member and bentgrass fairways that are carved into thesays. But that might take five to 10rental carts.We keep the carts of older high desert located near the airport andyears. Though the property is availableplayers in the front and the young bucks the industrial area of Madras. Hes beenfor expansion, old irrigation lines in needare in the back, Beamish said. No tee-playing this course since the age of 12 andof repair are just one of the obstacles.time, no problem. No dress code. But no has rolled with the changes. The mainFor now, Desert Peaks is a great playcowboy boots, though, because they tear reason I got this job was that I played golffor all skill levels, especially those new toup the greens. every day, he says with a smile. Now, Ithe game. It is flat and easily walkable,And which makes sense. 18 PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER|MAR 2025'