Scarecrow GC at Gamble Sands — Collective Review

Summary

Scarecrow at Gamble Sands, opened in August 2025 as the resort's second 18-hole championship layout designed by David McLay Kidd, has quickly garnered near-unanimous acclaim from golfers, raters, and golf publications alike. While user review sample sizes on consumer platforms remain relatively small due to its recent debut, registered ratings on GolfPass/GolfAdvisor stand at a perfect 5.0 out of 5 stars, alongside a 4.3 to 5.0 rating on GolfNow for layout, friendliness, pace of play, and amenities. Architectural reviewers on Top 100 Golf Courses highlight Scarecrow as an exceptional companion to the original Sands course, with major industry accolades including Best New Public Course honors from Golf Digest and Sports Illustrated. Golfer impressions consistently laud the course's breathtaking aesthetics, which feature sweeping panoramas of the Columbia River Valley, rolling sand dunes, and surrounding apple orchards. David McLay Kidd's design is heavily praised for its strategic creativity and fun factor, incorporating generous fairway corridors, speed slots, dramatic elevation shifts, drivable par 4s, and well-contoured green complexes. Conditioning receives high marks, with the fine fescue turf delivering signature firm and fast playing conditions that reward imaginative ground game play, though some players note that holding approach shots on the fast greens requires adjustment. Beyond the course itself, reviewers praise the overall Gamble Sands experience, highlighting attentive Troon management staff, high-caliber lodging at The Inn at Gamble Sands, and complementary amenities such as the Quicksands short course and Cascade putting green. Minor criticisms center primarily on destination golf costs and the remote trek to Brewster, but players overwhelmingly view Scarecrow as a must-visit Pacific Northwest golf experience.

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