Our Sunday round was on the North Course at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club. I was out at The Reserve shortly after my arrival in Portland and played the South Course. I enjoyed that round and was back to try the North Course again. As I mentioned in my review of the South Course, these aren’t “new-to-me” courses, but are ones I enjoyed years ago and wanted to play again.

We paid ~$60 to walk on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year. I’m used to the heat in Dallas but I was feeling the 100 degree temperature the last few holes since we were walking. What is a bit odd is that very few courses in the Pacific Northwest include a cart!

Anyway, the North Course is on the opposite side of the clubhouse and was the course open for public play on the day we played. If you are a traveler then note that the courses here alternate member and public tee times every couple weeks. If you have a preference then you might have to get lucky with your timing!

The North Course was designed by Bob Cupp, who is an architect that seems to be a bit underrated. Locally, Cupp designed Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek Course and Langdon Farms Golf Club – both of which are highly regarded. Personally, I like his work and the North Course is no exception.

In comparison to the South Course, the North Course has an entirely different feel to it. The North Course has a links-inspired look with lots of golden-colored fescue this time of year (compared to the parkland look of the South) that separates the holes. Most holes are fairly open and you shouldn’t have to deal with any trees, except on the 2nd and 17th.

We played the black tees which are 71.3/129/6337 and there is a nice mix of holes and challenges on the North Course. Yardages vary significantly, there is a large, wacky shared green and minor elevation changes add to the design. That shared green (which is shaped like a “T”) is probably the North’s most interesting feature. The 1st, 8th and 17th greens are all housed in that complex and water guards one side of the green. What’s crazy is that I didn’t hit that massive thing once while playing to any of those holes, doh!

The biggest challenge on the North Course comes from all the lost ball potential and many small, tricky green complexes with false edges. The course is big on risk/reward with hazards and wetlands in play. If you don’t want to take on the risk you might still be able to get the ball close using the contour of some greens. It had been a while since I played here and the trouble isn’t always visible when playing your shot.

My favorite holes are the par-3 3rd and the par-5 18th. Both of these have water and could be a birdie or bogey. The 18th is neat closing par-5 that just tempts you to hit the second shot up near the green. It is nicely landscaped and you see the beautiful clubhouse in the background.

As you’d expect from a premium course the maintenance was great. Everything was lush and the grass was full so I never had a poor lie. The greens rolled pure and were speedy. The whole facility presents very well.

While I give the edge to the South Course (based on its more traditional Northwest look and awesome back nine), there is a lot to like about the North Course. I look forward to a return round here next time I’m in the area! Like the South Course I think the North Course falls among the best public courses in the Portland metro.

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):