Scarecrow stretches across 300 acres of rugged, rolling terrain that once served as a cornfield, with the Columbia River and the Gebbers family apple and cherry orchards providing a breathtaking backdrop. The course measures approximately 6,900 yards from the tips, making it slightly shorter than the resort’s original Sands course, which plays at 7,200 yards. Despite its slightly shorter length, Scarecrow is no less challenging, as its undulating fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and strategic bunkering demand precision and creativity from golfers of all skill levels.
The course was crafted by David McLay Kidd, whose original Sands course at Gamble Sands (opened in 2014) is ranked No. 2 among public-access courses in Washington and No. 49 among modern courses in the U.S. by Golfweek. For Scarecrow, Kidd collaborated with Nick Schaan, who took the lead on much of the design, marking his first major project as lead architect. The duo embraced the steeper, more contorted landscape of the Scarecrow site, creating a course that feels both intimate and expansive, with fairways that are generous but greens that require thoughtful shot-making. The design philosophy mirrors the resort’s ethos: golf should be fun, approachable, and rewarding, with plenty of opportunities for birdies and the occasional eagle.
Scarecrow is built on sandy soil with firm fescue grasses, ensuring fast and true conditions that encourage ground-game creativity. The course features 18 holes, including a mix of drivable par 4s, reachable par 5s, and challenging par 3s, all woven into a landscape that offers sweeping vistas of the Columbia River and surrounding orchards. With 50 total holes now at Gamble Sands (including the 14-hole QuickSands short course and the original Sands course), Scarecrow adds a new layer of adventure to an already exceptional golf experience.
Hole-by-Hole Highlights
Scarecrow is designed to captivate from the first tee to the final green, with each hole offering unique challenges and memorable moments. Here’s a closer look at some standout holes, based on early reviews and descriptions:
• Hole 1 (Par 4): The opening hole sets the tone with a blind tee shot that crests a hill and tumbles downhill, playing shorter than its listed yardage. The generous fairway invites an aggressive drive, but the approach to the green requires precision to avoid well-placed bunkers. It’s a welcoming start that embodies the fun-first philosophy of Gamble Sands.
• Hole 5 (Par 4, 310 yards from the tips, 295 from the back tees): One of two drivable par 4s on the course, the fifth is a short, uphill hole that tempts players to go for the green. The triple-tiered green, surrounded by intriguing bunkers, ensures that even a well-struck tee shot requires a deft touch to secure a birdie. This hole is a perfect example of Scarecrow’s risk-reward design.
• Hole 9 (Par 3): Perhaps the most scenic hole on the property, the ninth is a short par 3 with the Columbia River as a dramatic backdrop. A bunker guards the front, but slopes on the right help funnel shots toward the green, offering a chance for an ace or an easy par. The view alone makes this hole unforgettable.
• Hole 10 (Par 4): The back nine kicks off with one of the course’s toughest tests. This stout par 4 demands a big drive, especially into a breeze, and a precise approach to navigate the undulating fairway and tricky green complex. A snack shack nearby provides a perfect pit stop before tackling this formidable hole.
• Hole 12 (Par 5): A short but intimidating par 5, the 12th boomerangs around a dangerous gulch, requiring careful strategy. The fairway is generous, but the approach must account for the hazard, making this a thrilling risk-reward hole.
• Hole 15 (Par 5): The closing stretch is where Scarecrow truly shines. The long par-5 15th wraps around a massive sand gulch on the right, with a V-shaped valley guiding approach shots to the green. It’s a bold, strategic hole that rewards well-executed shots.
• Hole 16 (Par 3, ~190 yards): This stunning par 3 requires a carry over a sandy chasm to a large, “punchbowl-ish” green with subtle contours. As noted by Nick Schaan during a preview round, aiming left toward a bunker can reduce the carry to about 170 yards, with slopes funneling the ball toward the green. This hole exemplifies Scarecrow’s clever design, offering hidden strategies for those who study the layout.
• Hole 17 (Par 4): Paying homage to Alister MacKenzie’s 7th at Crystal Downs, this par 4 features a double-step fairway and a banana-shaped green. The unique topography and green design make it a standout strategic hole.
• Hole 18 (Par 4): The finishing hole is a downhill, drivable par 4 that invites players to go for the green, perched precariously on the edge of a cliff. There’s room to bail out left, but the bold play can end the round with a flourish. Early reports, like that of a golfer who shot a course-record 70, highlight the excitement of this closer.
How It Plays
Scarecrow is designed to be both challenging and immensely fun, striking a balance that makes it accessible to high handicappers while offering depth for low handicappers. The fairways are wide, much like those on the original Sands course, allowing players to swing freely off the tee. However, the greens are where the course shows its teeth. Many feature subtle contours, punchbowl-like features, or multi-tiered designs that demand careful approach shots. As David McLay Kidd noted, “The first one [Sands], we made a really good cheeseburger; this one, we added a little jalapeño.” Scarecrow adds spice with its steeper terrain and strategic elements, encouraging players to think creatively about their shots.
The course rewards ground-game strategies, with slopes and contours that can be used to funnel balls toward greens. For example, on the par-3 16th, aiming left of the green can turn a daunting carry into a manageable shot. Similarly, the drivable par 4s (like the 5th and 18th) tempt aggressive play but punish careless execution. The firm fescue surfaces ensure that shots roll out, making distance control critical but also opening up options for low, running shots.
Early players, including those who participated in preview rounds, have praised Scarecrow for its playability and fun factor. One golfer, who shot a 1-under-par 70 and briefly held the course record, noted the opportunity for birdies and eagles, particularly on the reachable par 4s and 5s. The course’s design encourages bold play but provides bailout options, ensuring that wayward shots often find forgiving lies rather than penal rough. This aligns with Gamble Sands’ overarching philosophy: golf should be a joyous escape, not a punishing slog.
Architectural Vision
David McLay Kidd and Nick Schaan set out to create a course that complements the original Sands while establishing its own identity. The steeper, more dramatic landscape of Scarecrow allowed them to take risks they might have avoided on the first course. The result is a layout that feels more intimate, with holes running closer together, yet retains the wide-open, big-sky feel of Gamble Sands. The duo’s use of the natural terrain—valleys, ridgelines, and sandy gulches—creates a course that is both visually stunning and strategically rich.
Kidd has described Scarecrow as a course that builds momentum, particularly on the back nine, which he believes may outshine the front. The closing four-hole stretch (15–18) is a highlight, leveraging the property’s best topography for a memorable finish. Schaan’s influence is evident in the course’s “hidden trap doors and secret strategies,” such as the alternate aiming points that reward local knowledge. Together, they’ve crafted a course that invites debate about whether it surpasses the original Sands as the top public course in Washington.
The Gamble Sands Experience
Beyond the course itself, Scarecrow enhances the overall Gamble Sands experience. The resort now boasts 50 holes of golf, including the Top-100-ranked Sands course and the acclaimed QuickSands short course. The Cascade putting course, with its dazzling river views, and dining options like Danny Boy and The Barn add to the resort’s appeal. New accommodations, including 40 double-king luxury rooms opening in summer 2025, make it easier to stay and play multiple rounds.
The remote location—four hours from Seattle, two from Spokane, or 70 minutes from Wenatchee airport—adds to the sense of escape. As Kidd noted, Gamble Sands offers “the most reliable weather all summer long,” making it a compelling alternative to destinations like Bandon Dunes or Sand Valley. The addition of Scarecrow cements Gamble Sands as a bucket-list destination for golfers seeking world-class courses in a stunning natural setting.
https://www.gamblesands.com/scarecrow/
