Among the first things Kelly Horen did this past fall when he arrived as the new director of golf at The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch was leave.
Well.. sort of. Horen spent his time during these winter months traveling to key markets around the Pacific Northwest trying to attract golfers to the outstanding property in Seneca, OR.
The Unique Golf Courses of Silvies Valley Ranch
The Retreat’s reversible Craddock & Hankins, Claire’s Orange and Black, Chief Egan and McVeigh’s Gauntlet, home to Silvies’ famous goat caddies, is on target to open its golf season on May 1.
“It’s been a pretty mild winter,’’ Horen recently told me, despite the snow outside his office window. “I’d rather have snow than ice – the snow doesn’t do as much damage to the greens and fairways. We prepare for the snow. We sand our greens at the end of each season, which helps protect them from the snow and helps them recover faster.’’
Silvies Valley provides outstanding golf experiences for players of all skill levels, headlined by the two reversible 18-hole championship – the Hankins and Craddock Courses. McVeigh’s Gauntlet is a stunning seven-hole ridge course; Chief Egan is a mountain meadow nine-hole, par-3 course, and Claire’s Courses are a pair of reversible 18-hole putting courses.
“When people see what we have here, they want to come and keep coming back,’’ Horen said. “The golf courses sell themselves.
“When it comes to one-of-a-kind golf experiences in stunning locations, Silvies is in a class of its own. I’m excited to elevate the success of these unique courses, showing off what has already made golf at Silvies special – being loved by most everyone who has played here.”
Beyond Golf: Adventure Awaits at Silvies Valley Ranch, Oregon
The Retreat at Silvies Ranch, however, is more than golf, which makes it one of the Pacific Northwest’s great destination resorts. The property offers authentic ranch activities, luxury accommodations and world-class dining, featuring ranch raised grass-finished beef and chevon accompanied with ranch-grown herbs and locally-sourced vegetables.
Guests connect with the land and 150,000-acre historical working ranch, whether on the courses, drinking a Horseshoe Nail in The Hideout or through experiences that include horseback riding, shooting, cattle drives, fishing, ATV tours, hiking, biking, trail running, star gazing, photography, sourdough baking, scotch tasting and spa days.
The four-season, Native American-inspired Rocking Heart Spa features a full menu of spa services plus dry sauna, hot tubs, indoor lap pool and yoga classes. The spa also features a climbing wall and fitness center.
In addition, the ranch and resort is home to countless wildlife species, mountain meadows, Ponderosa Pine forest, the Silvies River, and 12 creeks and streams.
Photo Courtesy of The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch
