The growth robbed the course of its links-style views, where golfers can see what’s going on practically anywhere on the course. The trees also came tumbling down during those coastal winter storms, many having reached the maximum lifespan of about a half-century for a shore pine. Beetles presented problems, too.
“The dying trees caused quite a mess,” said Jason Bangild, general manager and director of golf for Gearhart Golf Links.
Even though the course is privately owned, by Tim Boyle of Portland’s Columbia Sportswear apparel company, you don’t just go out and chop down a bunch of trees in Gearhart. The golf course has been the center of the Gearhart community since the first four holes were built in the open sand 122 years ago.
The course management took up the issue with the city, informed the 1,480 residents and proceeded with the well-conceived project over the winter. About 400 trees were removed, making a big difference for golfers, but also leaving the course in need of healing because stump removal roughed up the ground. The course should be gorgeous again by summer after a few weeks of warm weather.
“Removing the trees let the ground reveal itself,” Bangild said. “It opened the sight lines so you can see the bumps and rolls and the other players on the course.”
Some of the fairways were reshaped, fescue grass was planted and seven new tee boxes were installed, creating a maximum playing distance of 6,417 yards.
The course has a membership, but is fully open to the public. Every third Friday of the month is a McMenamins scramble, a big hit with golfers due to its whacky themes. In anticipation of summer’s “arrival” at the northern Oregon coast in June, that month’s theme is mai tais and aloha shirts.
McMenamins is a partner in the business, operating the boutique McMenamins Gearhart Hotel above the golf clubhouse and handling the food and beverage end of things with its Sand Trap Pub. For more information, contact the golf course at 503-738-3538, gearhartgolflinks, or the hotel at 503-717-8502, mcmenamins.com.
The 400 trees wound up as hog fuel, chips of bark and wood fiber. Plenty of other trees survived the process, especially the stately Sitka spruce, and in some instances young trees were planted to replace the ones cut down.
The tree removal didn’t do anything to solve the course’s other problem: too many elk, especially in the winter. The Gearhart herd has grown to about 75 head in the past couple of years and they can do substantial property damage, especially when running.
The community called a meeting last week to discuss the elk. Some residents like them, others don’t. Thus, moving forward for now it will be up to landowners to train the elk, by using legal means, to learn where they are not wanted, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Also, coast visitors and residents need to keep the elk herd in mind when driving in the area. Back in February, on a dark and stormy night, a chip truck plowed into the herd on U.S. 101 near Cullaby Lake, causing the death of 13 animals.
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