Golfing just a matter of course in region

Public courses

Beacon Rock, North Bonneville, 800-428-5730, http://beaconrockgolf.com, Milepost 37 on state Highway 14

Camas Meadows, Camas, 360-833-2000, http://camasmeadows.com, 4105 N.W. Camas Meadows Drive

Carson Hot Springs, Carson, 509-427-5150, http://carsonhotspringsresort.com, 1 Saint Martin Road

Fairway Village, Vancouver, 360-254-9325, http://ourfairwayvillage.org, 15509 S.E. Fernwood Drive

Green Mountain, Vancouver, 360-833-8463, http://golfgreenmountain.com, 2817 N.E. Ingle Road

Husum Hills, Husum, 509-493-1211, 820 Highway 14

Lewis River, Woodland, 360-225-8254, http://lewisrivergolf.com, 3209 Lewis River Road

Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, 509-427-2540, http://skamania.com, 1131 Skamania Lodge Way

The Cedars on Salmon Creek, Brush Prairie, 360-687-4233, http://golfcedars.com, 15001 N.E. 181st St.

Tri-Mountain, Ridgefield, 360-887-3004, http://trimountaingolf.com, 170 N.E. 199th St.

Private courses

Club Green Meadows, Vancouver, 360-256-1510, http://clubgreenmeadows.com, 7703 N.E. 72nd Ave.

Orchard Hills Country Club, Washougal, 360-835-5889, http://ohgcc.com, 605 39th St.

Royal Oaks Country Club, Vacouver, 360-256-1350, http://royaloaks.net, 8917 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd.

Par-3 Golf Courses

Hartwood Golf Course, Brush Prairie, 360-896-6041, 12506 N.E. 152nd. Ave.

Lakeview Par-3 Golf Challenge, Vancouver, 360-693-9116, 2425 N.W. 69th St.

Pine Crest Golf Course, Vancouver, 360-573-2051, http://www.pinecrestgc.net, 2415 N.W. 143rd St.

It is never too early to think about your next golf outing.

Sure, in the winter in the Northwest, only the hard-core golfers trek to the courses, armed with their clubs, protected in rain gear.

But for a lot of us, the courses in Southwest Washington are best enjoyed in the spring, summer, and fall. Fortunately for us, all that rain in the winter makes our courses look great when it’s time to play.

Don’t believe us? Check out what the Web sites have to say about their courses.

Camas Meadows Golf Club calls itself the “perfect combination of narrow tree-lined fairways, mixed with winding fairways through grassy meadows.”

Just a little up the road from Camas Meadows is Green Mountain Golf Course, which entices golfers to “enjoy the relaxed country atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.”

The region’s golf courses, depending on where you go, are challenging and engaging.

While the PGA Tour might not stop in Clark County, there is at least one course that attracts some of the finest amateur players in the country. The Royal Oaks Invitational is a must-play event for several Pacific 10 Conference players every summer.

Skamania Lodge in Stevenson attracts tourists from all over, including many who bring their clubs.

And why not? Skamania’s Web site says golfers will find “breathtaking and tranquil views” on a “challenging course tucked into the resort’s 175 wooded acres.” That’s a lot of woods, by the way, so if you are a little wild with your tee shots, you might want to bring an extra sleeve of balls.

There are 10 public courses in the region, three private, and three par-3 courses that are easily accessible. In other words, the region offers opportunities for the skilled players, the average players, and the beginners.

Many of the courses also pride themselves on hosting high school matches in the fall and spring.

The courses are also always changing. Lewis River in Woodland provides a history of the course on its Web page, detailing the improvements made since the course opened in 1967.

The course’s philosophy, according to the website, is one of “continuous investment” to keep the Lewis River experience “fresh for years to come.”

The Cedars on Salmon Creek has made changes, too, and not just its name. The course in Brush Prairie invites golfers to escape the city and enjoy a serene setting.

Tri-Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield also went through some improvements in recent years. Golfers now encounter 11 lakes and 64 sand bunkers, according to its website.

On the private side of golf courses, Club Green Meadows in Vancouver offers a quality course. That is a big draw, but so, too, is its athletic club that features basketball, swimming, bowling, tennis, and other sports and activities.

Royal Oaks has “consistently been ranked” among the top five courses in the state, and the top 100 in the country by Golf Digest Magazine, according to its site.

While most courses in the region stay open all year, some do close. Plus, during the busy season, courses often host tournaments. It is always advised to call the pro shop to reserve a tee time prior to heading out to the course.