By Eric Flowers for River’s Edge Golf Course
Installment: 1
Birth of a Golf Course: The unusual history of Bend’s original destination golf course
When did your family acquire the land for the hotel and golf course and how did that happen?
Wayne Purcell: Some of the land was acquired in 60’s and others were acquired over time. The upper 9 holes was acquired in 1992 to expand the course to 18 holes
Did your parents envision the complex that exists today at that time?
WP: Not quite the same. The original hotel was 122 units with some meeting space. The land south of Mt. Washington was a separate plan for additional hotel units and a convention center back in 1979. It was just a 9 hole course at that time
What was the primary or historic land use around the property prior to development?
WP: Back then it was on the edge of Bend. The land was an old farm house at one time. There were several improvements paid for by The Riverhouse and River’s Edge to rezone the land to commercial
How did the golf course concept come about?
WP: Originally it was part of a master plan to be a 9 hole executive course. In 1987 River’s Edge Investments was formed to create the golf course and develop land around it. The partners were my parents, Arnie Swarens and me. The course was made a standard length 9 hole course. In 1992 the opportunity came about to acquire land for the second 9 holes
Did you and your parents see the terrain as a challenge or an opportunity, or maybe both?
WP: It was both. It was a challenge but also created something very unique and very picturesque. The views are amazing. It also gave the architect the opportunity to create a course where each hole is unique and different.
How big of a role did the family have in the overall design? Were you very hands on?
WP: We were hands on including working on the installation of the course. The architect did the main design but we had some thoughts on critical features like the waterfalls on hole number 6 and the green overlooking the river on number 7.
How did you select Bob Graves as the architect?
WP: He had a great reputation. He had done Black Butte and it turned out well. He also had some Central Oregon ties that gave him a special feeling for Central Oregon.
What did he bring in terms of experience and vision?
WP: He had a team of people that made sure the course fit the land and was unique. He was extremely innovative in creating a course that took advantage of the natural terrain. Everything from which trees to save to utilizing rock outcroppings etc.
What’s one piece of advice that you would give to players before they tee off at River’s Edge?
WP: You cannot just get up and hit the ball as far as you can like some courses in the valley. Each hole plays a certain way. You need to look at the hole and plan your shots especially from the back tees. People really get a good feel for the course after playing it a few times. They do not get tired of the course because each hole is different and presents a unique challenge.
What’s something that very few people know about the golf course?
WP: When Bob Graves was designing it, he felt it reminded him a lot of Hawaii. He utilized a lot of the lava flows in the design similar to what he had experienced in Hawaii.
Eric Flowers is a Bend-based freelance journalist and the former editor of Bend’s Source Weekly. His work appeared in 1859 Magazine, Oregon Business, Central Oregon Visitors Association and the Drake. He spends his free time with his wife and two daughters, chasing trout, fresh snow, firm trails and an even-par round of golf.
Source: River’s Edge Golf Blog