Down the river and through the pine

History speaks like a bold fine wine

Flowing waters amidst a park and hill

The grounds on whole give a joyful fill

Views to the beautiful Spokane River

It will take many arrows in your quiver

To meet the needs of Postage Stamp greens

As this older course is mean and lean!

Once upon a time near the Spokane River, salmon were jumping and silver was being mined. Spokane Falls gave rise to trade and fishing, inviting a variety of native American tribes to the area. A land full of promise - lumber and minerals were abundant enticing larger transportation options to the now small town. In the late 1800s, railways were constructed and movement was made from the Rocky Mountains to the Cascades, making Spokane one of the most important rail centers in the west. People followed and the population grew until the early 1900s, eventually leveling off and then declining. This was due to the loss of economy and “promised growth” in other nearby areas. It was in the next few decades that Spokane became known as a “good place to raise a family” providing reason to envision ways to spend a favorite pastime. In 1916, this “little city that could” gave birth to it first walk around 18 - Downriver Golf Course.

Beautiful Spokane Clock Tower

Sprawled in the middle of town and lined along the beauty of the Spokane River near Riverside State Park, Downriver is a magical walk beneath the ponderosa pines.  Not overly long, the design is deceptive with blind tee shots and fairways that close in around you. However, the tightness and the extraordinarily small, postage stamp style greens give any golfer a true test of ability. The moisture of the Inland Northwest provides the most stunning hues of green whist on your walk through nature. Downriver is a popular spot but there are ways to spend alone time.  Securing an afternoon tee time on a weekday will help miss the “busy”ness of the weekend warriors, early morning dew sweepers and post work crew.

This little gem is a municipal track so don’t expect the meet greet and bag grabbing or valet service.  You park, you get your clubs, you check-in.  The locals bring their own carts, usually jimmied up on a pull behind trailer.  The proshop is old school and very nostalgic.  Not much has changed over the years.  There are a few shirts on four-ways, hats (some with the old, ow new, rope bill), golf balls, markers, tees. Pay at the counter and off you go.

Narrow tree-lined fairways...

To get warmed up, grab a few clubs and head over to the driving range, just steps from the beginning on the course. When you are ready and feeling good, walk or drive over to the first tee and pull out the big stick.  Built above the fairway, the first tee box gives you a little launching pad, shooting down into a fairly generous landing area before taking a bend to the left and room to breath for the second shot and putting green.  A relatively short par 5, it is a nice opening hole with possibilities of getting off to a great start.

Though the next several holes are straighter than connecting two dots, don’t let this fool you!  It is easy to find your feet nestled in pine needles and behind tree trunks of old, needing to shape shots to arrive on some of the smallest greens around.  To rely on a bountiful short game is an understatement.  And though there is not much in the way of bunkering or other hazards, there is still enough natural design to make holes 2-5 a good test…and just an overall joy to play.  Set yourself on auto-pilot, swing in rhythm pausing at the top, and immerse yourself in all that is good.

Once home to a tram ride from tee to green, the par 3 - sixth - is just plain fun.  Though a short iron in hand, it is all carry and pretty much a blind shot into the green.  Looking from the putting surface back to the tee, this is the little hole that could.  The yardage on the card might give you hope, but the reality is a par is a good note.  Take it and sing your way to the next tee.

Hole seven can be one of the hardest on the course, especially from the forward tees.  It is the longest test on the course, with a slight dogleg to the right.  You can’t see the green from the tee, but a nice little draw off the box and you will be in perfect fitting for a second shot down the middle.  A pattern is forming, can you see it?  Just hit it straight and you will be a happy golfer.

Sinister little par 3, #8

On a beautiful fall day, the eight hole is framed by foliage of different kinds.  Short and tight, but one of the more generous greens, this is a hole to get after, and perfect timing because you are heading up the hill for the 9th.

The par 4 final hole on the front is a peach.  The hill that gave you an edge on the first is now taking it all back on the 9th.  A good drive will leave you with an uphill approach, just be mindful of the club selection because that is everything.  Take at least one more, maybe even two… especially if it is wet.

Take a dip into the clubhouse for a sandwich, or Snickers (not a lot in terms of healthy snacks here), drink or two and head over to the magnificent 10th and the back nine.

The back nine starts a little like the front, with a downhill straightaway tee shot; a “good” par 4 to begin again.  With energy and fueled perspective, this should be a pretty easy hole to get the wheels in gear for the inward journey.

The next few holes are longer and harder from the back tees, but ladies… they shorter and easier from the front and middle.  In fact, in this review, the par 3, #12, (followed by #16) is a beast from the blues and the gentlest from the red. Keep your focus and love will be written on the card.

Postage stamp greens

Holes 13 - 17 are to be taken at face value.  Keep it on the straight and narrow as these holes are deeply nestled amidst the tall trees with a demand of splitting the fairway from the tee.  Though not much in design, enjoy the walk and hit a few balls along the way.

Then, just as the adventure took you down into the valley, the 18th takes you right back up. With a landing area for a short iron to finish, this cute and petite hole brings you to the patio of the 19th hole, and views back to way you just were.

Rise up to the 18th

Is Downriver one of the best pathways in golf? Maybe not, but it is definitely worth the greens fee and time. Enjoy the architecture of how “golf once was” without the trickery of new age design. It is a quiet walk in the middle of a city; old grown flora and a breath of fresh air. And it is only one of the amazing "Municipal Golf Trail" in Spokane.