Glendoveer Golf & Tennis is a 36-hole facility located in the heart of Northeast Portland. It is owned by Portland Metro, a tri-county land-use agency, and is operated by CourseCo Golf Management Company. GCSAA Member, Chris Robson, is the golf course superintendent.

Glendoveer is not only known for its beautiful two golf courses which are nestled in among very tall Douglas fir trees but also known for the walking trail that circles the entire property. The trail is used by hundreds of Portland residents each day. The popularity of the trail is attributed to the beautiful views and the abundance of wildlife seen throughout the property.

People are now not only walking around Glendoveer, but they are also running throughout it. Glendoveer has been the location for the Nike Cross Nationals Event since 2014. The Nike Cross Nationals is comprised of eight Regional Qualifying meets and the National Finals in Portland in November.  

The Nationals course at Glendoveer Golf Course offers athletes a premium, challenging championship venue for putting it all on the line. The course at Glendoveer offers spectators great viewing options whether they want to follow the race around the course or sit in the grandstands near the finish line. Fields of 22 7-person clubs and an additional 45 individuals (male and female) will lay it all on the line in the quest for the sport's biggest prize, the coveted Winged Goddess of Victory statue.

Over the years the participants have been very happy and excited to be able and come out and challenge themselves against the race course and environmental elements each new year brings.

The overall impact on the golf course varies from year to year depending on the weather. Some years the course is a bit wet, which can create muddy conditions and tear up the turf a little. “Usually, we will have to roll and topdress over some of the wetter areas but by spring and the start of the actual golf season, you can't even tell the race was held," says Robson. Overall, there is very little impact on the golf course itself, due to the time of year the race is held it's not a huge issue to shut the West course down for 7-10 days to allow the race to happen. Robson says, “We are fortunate to have 36 holes which allow golfers to still get out and play.”

I have been seeing more golf facilities being used as cross-country tracks in my travels. Robson points out that golf courses are more often used because of the infrastructure that's in place (parking lots, buildings, and natural terrain) to help assist in holding the events, which makes total sense to me.

Overall, it is so great that golf courses can be a true multi-use facility, giving not only to the golfers but to the community in general. If you share your golf course with others than golfers, please send me a note, I would love to hear from you.

David Phipps
NW Region Field Staff