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Desert Aire Golf Course – Columbia-River Sunshine, Year-Round Play
Washington’s driest fairways sit just west of the Columbia River at Desert Aire Golf Course in Mattawa. Built in 1972 as a nine-holer and expanded to 18 holes in 1993 by architect Dan Hixon (front routing credited to Jim Krause), the layout loops through a low-lying desert community that averages 300 sunny days per year. Golf Digest calls it a “Best Places to Play” three-star track, and at peak season the course draws travelers from Yakima, Tri-Cities, and Seattle who crave firm turf and warm air long after coastal layouts have gone dormant.
Course Snapshot
|
Back |
White |
Gold |
Red |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yardage |
6,501 yds |
6,147 yds |
5,555 yds |
5,233 yds |
|
Par / Rating / Slope (M) |
72 • 69.9 / 111 |
72 • 69.3 / 117 |
72 • 66.3 / 110 |
72 • 65.1 / 108 |
|
Architects |
Jim Krause (1972) • Dan Hixon (1993) |
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Setting |
High-desert plain beside the Columbia River, 46° N parallel |
Elevation is just 560 feet, snow is rare, and summer daylight stretches to 16 hours—prime conditions for 36-hole marathon days.
Desert Aire Golf Course Routing Overview
Front Nine – 3,250 yds (Blue)
The opener, a 499-yard par-5, frames the Desert Aire neighborhood: broad fairway, scattered shade trees, and a green guarded by gentle bunkers. Holes 2–6 mix reachable par-4s with a pair of mid-length par-3s (194 and 178 yards) before the card stretches again at No. 8, a 379-yard dogleg punctuated by one of the course’s 20-plus bunkers. The ninth—a 525-yard par-5—returns to the clubhouse and sets scoring tone for the back nine.
Back Nine – 3,240 yds (Blue)
Elevation remains subtle, but the wind picks up late in the day, influencing club selection on the 372-yard 10th and the 558-yard 12th—Desert Aire’s longest hole. The course’s defining risk-reward moment arrives at the 16th, a drivable 271-yard par-4 edged by water left and bunkers long. The round finishes with a 541-yard par-5 that bends around a pond toward a green set beneath the patio of a low-slung clubhouse.
Desert Aire Golf Course Playing Personality
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Sun-baked turf – Firm, fast fairways add 20–30 yards of rollout; players accustomed to coastal carry-golf must rethink yardages.
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Playable rough – Native fescue is trimmed short; wayward drives are often recoverable unless they find a greenside bunker.
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Gentle greens – Predominantly back-to-front pitches with subtle breaks; speeds run medium-fast in summer when afternoon winds keep surfaces dry.
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Water in play – Six holes feature ponds or irrigation channels, though forced carries are limited to forward-tee friendly distances.
Services & Rates
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Pro Shop – Full repair and fitting services plus the essentials: balls, gloves, and logo wear. Grab-and-go beverages, snacks, and sandwiches are available before the turn or for a quick post-round bite.
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Lessons – PGA Professional Don Tracy offers individual instruction and popular junior camps each summer.
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Green Fees – Published rates vary seasonally; 2025 rack prices fall between $25 and $50 with cart add-ons of $7.50–$12 per rider. Punch cards and annual passes deliver deeper value for frequent players.
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Events – The Desert Aire Room hosts up to 148 guests—ideal for after-golf banquets. A catered patio and on-site kitchen support tournaments and private outings.
Practical Details
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Address: 504 Clubhouse Way W, Mattawa, WA 99349
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Season: Year-round (7 AM–7 PM summer; 9 AM–4 PM winter, weather permitting)
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Tee-time window: Reservations available 14 days out; singles can book online if space allows. 24-hour cancellation policy.
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Cart Policy: Course carts for rent; personal carts allowed with annual permit.
Final Word
With sunshine totals rivaling Palm Springs and a playable design that rewards every skill level, Desert Aire Golf Course fulfills its promise as a high-desert escape. Broad fairways, player-friendly greens, and wallet-friendly rates make it a must-stop on any central-Washington golf swing—especially when western-slope courses are shrouded in rain.
This course is one of many featured in the Washington Golf Directory. Your guide to Washington State public golf courses, local driving ranges, and weekend-worthy golf getaways. Whether you’re playing nine before work or planning a road trip across the state, we’re here to help you explore more golf, one course at a time.
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Explore Washington State has been covering the real Washington for more than a decade. State parks, small towns, back roads, rest stops, and the people who make this place worth exploring. What started as a hyperlocal project covering individual communities grew into a full media project with more than 340 podcast episodes, a weekly newsletter with 3,800 subscribers, and coverage of all 146 Washington State Parks. The content here comes from people who have actually been to these places: locals, regulars, and lifelong Washington residents who care more about getting it right than getting clicks.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Explore Washington State has been covering the real Washington for more than a decade. State parks, small towns, back roads, rest stops, and the people who make this place worth exploring. What started as a hyperlocal project covering individual communities grew into a full media project with more than 340 podcast episodes, a weekly newsletter with 3,800 subscribers, and coverage of all 146 Washington State Parks. The content here comes from people who have actually been to these places: locals, regulars, and lifelong Washington residents who care more about getting it right than getting clicks.