When the summer heat hits the valley, Blackhawk golfers know it’s time to start scouting the perfect destination for a quick golf road trip or weekend getaway. Look no further than Central Oregon’s high desert. Nestled between Bend and Redmond, Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve has evolved into the Pacific Northwest’s premier golf sanctuary, and it is a perfect match for the Blackhawk community.
The contrast with the coastal side of the state is immediate. While Portland deals with plenty of rain, this high-desert oasis enjoys a warm, dry climate from May through October, averaging just eleven inches of rainfall per year. Framed by majestic, snow-capped views of the Cascade Mountains, the resort is surrounded by protected Bureau of Land Management property, making it exceptionally quiet, secluded, and pristine.
The property itself is highly impressive. A striking, 55,000-square-foot stone clubhouse serves as the center of the resort, offering an elegant but welcoming vibe. Accommodations are tailored perfectly for a weeklong stay or a weekend retreat, ranging from modern luxury rooms at the Huntington Lodge to expansive, Mediterranean-style vacation villas. For the serious player, the practice facilities are spectacular.
The property features a massive, perfectly manicured driving range and a dedicated short-game complex. Here, you can practice almost any scenario, from standard chips to 60-yard pitches out of premium rough, fairways, and pristine bunkers. Pronghorn stands out as the only golf community in the West to feature side-by-side masterpieces designed by Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus. While the Fazio course is an exclusive,
member-only retreat, the equally brilliant Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is open to resort guests.
Consistently ranked among the top public courses in the nation by Golf Magazine, it delivers a championship experience alongside top-tier service. The conditioning of the Nicklaus course is extraordinary, featuring flawless, tournament-ready bentgrass from tee to green. As a traditional desert-style layout, it presents a brilliant mix of holes that are both visually beautiful and fun to play. The design emphasizes exciting risk-reward choices, highlighted by a collection of short, thrilling par-4s at the 4th, 12th, and 13th holes. The 12th hole, playing just 280 yards from the middle tees, offers a tempting opportunity to go for the green, though a highly precise wedge is mandatory to hold the elevated putting surface. The 13th is equally memorable, requiring a precise 330-yard journey around a sweeping lake that hugs the entire right side, finishing at a heavily bunkered green backed by a dramatic rock outcropping.
The back nine reaches a high point with a fantastic collection of par-5s, punctuated by the signature 15th hole. The course winds through the largest ancient Western Juniper stand in the world, where weathered “ghost trees” create a dramatic silhouette against the desert sky.
While Pronghorn provides a complete luxury escape, the broader Bend area offers an abundance of summer lifestyle pursuits. The region boasts excellent dining, fly-fishing, hiking, and white-water rafting. For those planning a longer itinerary, neighboring courses like Tetherow and Sunriver make the area a true golfer’s paradise. If you are looking to trade the summer heat of the valley for crisp desert mornings and flawless turf, Pronghorn delivers an unforgettable getaway.
By Chuck Fox, Owner, Quintessential Golf, Resident since 2012