Tiger Woods' Epic Comeback
In 1996, Tiger Woods came from five down after the morning round to defeat Steve Scott in a memorable U.S. Amateur final. Woods' win capped a three-peat and forever tied Witch Hollow to a pivotal moment in golf history.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Witch Hollow Golf Course
North Plains, Oregon
Established
1992
Architect
Bob Cupp
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,277 – 7,017 yds
The verdict
Oregon's Championship Battlefield
Witch Hollow is one of the Pacific Northwest's most authentic championship experiences—a long and demanding test shaped for both national tournaments and the region's best local players. It's celebrated both for the Tiger-charged 1996 U.S. Amateur and for its persistent ability to reward control over brute force. Every round here feels like the stakes are just a little higher.
Course DNA
Difficulty
87
Scenery75
Conditioning85
Shot Variety78
Walkability67
Green Complexity81
Wow Factor77
Design Quality79
Don't miss
After your round, explore the small trophy gallery in the clubhouse commemorating Tiger Woods' 1996 U.S. Amateur victory—you'll find his name and historical artifacts in a spot known mostly to members and tournament guests.
At a glance
Quick facts
USGA Championships Hosted
1996 U.S. Amateur, 1997 & 2003 U.S. Women's Open, 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur
Course Style
Classic Championship Parkland
Longest Par 5
Hole 7 – 623 yards
Best New Private Course Debut
#2 in U.S. by Golf Digest, 1992
Tiger Woods History
Won his third straight U.S. Amateur here in 1996
Terrain
Rolling farmland west of Portland
Signature Greens
Large, undulating, well-defended
Private Access
Member/guest only, no public play
The design
The architecture
Designed by Bob Cupp to blend with Oregon’s rolling farmland, Witch Hollow presents a long, exacting championship test that has hosted national tournaments and drawn commendation for its classic sensibility. The routing leverages the gently undulating landscape, creating a series of memorable par 5s and demanding par 3s. Greens are large, well-contoured, and well-defended, ensuring that position and approach angles matter as much as power. The strategic balance leans toward precision and discipline rather than all-out aggression, establishing Witch Hollow as both a fair and challenging canvas for elite events.
Bob Cupp designed Witch Hollow as an original routing, maximizing the dramatic farmland movement to create a test worthy of major championships.
Defining features
- Strategic par 5s with risk/reward angles
- Deep, penal bunkering and grassy hollows
- Large, undulating championship greens
- Rolling fairways framed by native rough
- Stretches of secluded, tree-guarded holes
- Expansive use of the property's farmland contours
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Precision Over Pond
PAR
3
YARDAGE
171
The first of Witch Hollow's imposing par 3s, this mid-iron test offers little margin for error with a green that feels perched and exposed. Early in the round, it demands a committed shot to set the scoring tone.
Play it smart
Pick a club that reaches the center and avoid the front bunkers—center of the green is never wrong.
Where it bites
Short is trouble with deep bunkers, and swirling winds can push tee shots into penalty zones.
Course management
Shots to think about
First tee—nerves and expectation
Take a conservative line with your opening drive; it’s about finding fairway, not maximizing distance.
Approaching long par 3s (2, 5, 10, 15)
Trust your yardage, play for the wide part of the green, and accept a par as a victory.
Par 5 layup decision on holes 4, 7, 11
Unless you’re striking it perfectly, three-shot strategy beats heroics every time—plan your angles.
Deep rough or native area miss
Don’t chase the green; play back to position and avoid compounding your mistake.
Stuck above the hole on big greens
Lag putts carefully; the slopes can make a careless second putt costly.
Wind swirls on open holes
Club up and trust your swing—don’t let the breeze rush your tempo, especially on the big one-shotters.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Championship-level conditioning with perfectly kept fairways and greens; expect the setup to be firm and fast around tournament time.
Pace
A deliberate, thoughtful pace is the norm; full rounds are common, especially during member events.
Vibe
Serious, quietly intense atmosphere; this is a golfer’s club that exudes tournament pedigree.
Dress code
Traditional: collared shirts, no denim, and standard private-club courtesy apply.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Brush Up Long-Iron Game
With multiple par 3s over 170 yards, you'll need confidence with hybrids and long irons.
02
Sharpen Lag Putting
Practice distance control, as these large greens can easily yield 50+ footers.
03
Pack for the Oregon Forecast
Bring extra layers and rain gear—the weather can change quickly even on a sunny morning.
04
Settle Into Serious Golf Mode
Expect championship tempo and etiquette from arrival to finish; this is not a casual resort atmosphere.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1990
Construction begins on Witch Hollow as part of Pumpkin Ridge project
- 1992
Witch Hollow officially opens, ranked #2 Best New Private Course
- 1996
Tiger Woods wins his third consecutive U.S. Amateur here
- 1997
Hosts U.S. Women's Open
- 2000
Two holes recognized among world's top 500 by Golf Magazine
- 2003
Hosts U.S. Women's Open for second time
- 2006
Hosts U.S. Women's Amateur Championship
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Witching Hour Finish
With the sun setting on championship Sunday, Witch Hollow’s par-5 18th has produced both glory and heartbreak, notably as the scene of Tiger's clutch playoff finish and multiple national titles.
A Debut to Remember
When it opened in 1992, Witch Hollow vaulted onto the national scene by earning Golf Digest’s #2 Best New Private Course award, drawing praise for its blend of stern test and playability.
Local Legends and Oregon Lore
Witch Hollow has become the site of legendary local matches and state amateur battles each season, serving as a proving ground for top Oregon talent.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Tiger Woods' legendary comeback at the 1996 U.S. Amateur became one of the most replayed matches in modern golf.
2
Witch Hollow vaulted to #2 Best New Private Course by Golf Digest just months after opening.
3
The par-5 7th stretches 623 yards—among the longest championship holes in the northwest.
4
Bob Cupp designed the entire routing on what was once open farmland, transforming it into a national championship stage.
5
Two Witch Hollow holes were named in Golf Magazine’s 2000 list of the world’s top 500.
Build the trip
If you're making a Portland golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Portland Golf Club
Private
The classic golden-age course in the metro, renowned for its tradition and championship lineage.
The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club
Public
A resort-style 36-hole facility—public tee times and tournament pedigree just 25 minutes south.
Heron Lakes Golf Club
Public
Two diverse municipal courses with regional amateur legacy; the Great Blue is a Portland must-play.
Stone Creek Golf Club
Public
Solid, playable daily-fee option southeast of town with forested stretches and strong conditioning.
Tualatin Country Club
Private
Historic parkland club with classic championship bones, worth pursuing if you can snag an invite.
Downtown Portland or find a hotel in the Beaverton/Hillsboro suburbs for easy access to both Witch Hollow and Portland's best public options.
Course DNA
If You Like Witch Hollow Golf Course
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.0
Shadow Glen Golf Club
Olathe, KansasConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Shadow Glen Golf Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Cape Cod National Golf Club
Brewster, MassachusettsWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Cape Cod National Golf Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Witch Hollow Golf Course.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Keene Trace Golf Club (Champion Trace Course)
Nicholasville, KentuckyWhy it matches: Keene Trace Golf Club (Champion Trace Course) is a natural next stop after Witch Hollow Golf Course: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
The architect's other work
More from Bob Cupp
Old Town Club
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaA Perry Maxwell Golden Age classic, reborn
Liberty National Golf Club
Jersey City, New JerseySkyline views, elite conditioning, championship challenge.
Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club – Ghost Creek
North Plains, OregonChampionship pedigree in the heart of Oregon
Sunriver Resort Crosswater Course
Sunriver, OregonOregon's riverside championship test in high-desert scenery
Druid Hills Golf Club
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta’s classic, hilly Golden Era private club
Capital City Club, Brookhaven Course
Brookhaven, GeorgiaClassic Atlanta strategy, historic charm, thrilling shot values
Community Sentiment
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