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Sun Willows Golf Course blends parkland fairways with Tri-Cities sunshine

Sun Willows sits just north of Pasco’s Tri-Cities Airport on gently rolling ground that once hosted pasture and apple trees. Course architect Robert Muir Graves shaped the layout in 1963 and local designer John Steidel refreshed bunkers and greens in 1999. Five ponds, more than thirty bunkers, and steady Columbia Basin breezes give the par 72 track its bite while generous landing areas keep it playable for all skill levels.

Sun Willows Golf Course Fast Facts

Holes and par

18   72

Back tee yardage

6 715 yards

Other tees

White 6 295  Gold 5 865  Red 5 315

Rating and slope

71.9  127 (Blue)

Architect

Robert Muir Graves 1963  Renovation John Steidel 1999

Practice

Full grass range  short-game area  two putting greens

Season

Year-round desert climate keeps turf firm and fast
 

Course Overview

Sun Willows Golf Course features broad, tree-lined corridors bordered by ryegrass rough and clusters of willow, poplar, and elm. Front nine holes loop counter clockwise around the practice complex while the back nine moves east toward the Columbia River bluff then home beside the clubhouse. Water hazards influence shots on five holes including the downwind par four thirteenth where a pond guards the entire left side. Greens average five thousand square feet with gentle slopes that quicken under summer heat. The course remains walkable even in July thanks to level topography and plentiful shade trees at tee boxes.

Hole-by-Hole Highlights

Hole

Yard

Note

1

400

Straight opener framed by willows left and right

4

185

First par three plays over a finger of water to a deep green

5

535

Dogleg left par five offers birdie chance if drive hugs bunkers

8

410

Index one with narrow approach protected by pond front right

10

430

Long par four into prevailing wind toward airport runway

13

375

Water left entire length tests tee shot accuracy

15

545

Reachable par five but fairway narrows inside one hundred yards

17

206

Signature par three set against backdrop of Pasco skyline

18

425

Finishing hole climbs gently to a two-tier green near patio

Sun Willows Amenities and Practice

The complex offers a grass driving range long enough for driver work plus a separate wedge range with target flags at thirty to seventy yards. A large putting surface sits beside the first tee and a smaller green behind the clubhouse allows bunker practice. PGA staff provide private lessons and junior camps each summer.

Food and Beverage

The Willows Café serves breakfast wraps, deli sandwiches, and rotating hot specials. A shaded deck overlooks the ninth green. Beverage carts operate Friday through Sunday when temperatures climb above eighty.

Sun Willows Rates, Booking, Local Tips

Weekday eighteen-hole green fee is forty-two dollars walking. Weekend rate is forty-seven. Seniors receive five-dollar discounts and juniors play for twenty. Twilight rounds after two cost thirty. Tee times open ten days in advance online or by phone. Walking is easy but midsummer afternoons often reach ninety degrees so many players rent a cart for twenty per seat. Putts tend to break toward the Columbia River visible beyond the clubhouse roof.

Final Word

Sun Willows combines classic parkland design with high-desert conditions that deliver firm turf and year-round access. Friendly rates, full practice grounds, and a relaxed café make this Pasco staple a welcome stop for Tri-Cities golfers and travelers alike.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sun Willows Golf Course participate in the Youth on Course program?

Sun Willows Golf Course is a Youth on Course partner course. Through Youth on Course, junior golfers 18 and under can play a round of golf for $5 or less. All you need is a Youth on Course membership, which you can get at youthoncourse.org. It is a great way to make the game accessible for young players and families across Washington State.