SILVIES VALLEY RANCH
HANKINS & CRADDOCK
RUNDOWN: Our drive out to Silvies had us wondering how there could be a resort so far in the middle of nowhere. You are almost an hour from the nearest town and more like 3+ hours from the nearest city. However, when you arrive, you will understand why people will go out of their way to visit! Everything from the lodging, to the experiences, to the food and the golf are top notch. You will not leave this place without wanting to return.
The golf courses are built amongst the 144,000 acres of this working ranch. The expanse of the property is truly remarkable and you will be able to see some of it if you opt for a UTV tour. The golf courses take up such a small part of this property, yet they truly stand out amongst the beauty of the ranch. The 18 hole courses are set up on a rotation of play. One day you will play the Hankins Course and the next you will play the Craddock Course. Since the courses are reversible you will play them in different directions each day. There are actually 27 greens for the two courses as they share 9 and each have their own 9 during play. We didn't know what to expect with a reversible layout, but let me tell you, it played completely different each day! Dan Hixson, the designer, did a wonderful job with the layouts and really made you feel as if you were playing two completely separate courses all while being excited to play certain holes in a different direction.
We came for the golf but left really appreciating all that we had experienced. The staff was friendly and helpful and really made it a point to help you enjoy your experience. We met some great people that we were able to talk golf with as well. We really see now how this place would draw people in to enjoy all it has to offer. Cell phone service is a no go here, so kick back and just enjoy what this place has to offer!
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Dan Hixson and completed in 2018.
Public golf course. Part of Silvies Valley Retreat and Links.
3 sets of tees ranging from 5,335 to 7,075 yards on the Hankins Course.
3 sets of tees ranging from 5,580 to 7,035 yards on the Craddock Course.
https://silvies.us
541.573.5150 10000 Rendevous Lane, Seneca, OR 97873
The golf courses are built amongst the 144,000 acres of this working ranch. The expanse of the property is truly remarkable and you will be able to see some of it if you opt for a UTV tour. The golf courses take up such a small part of this property, yet they truly stand out amongst the beauty of the ranch. The 18 hole courses are set up on a rotation of play. One day you will play the Hankins Course and the next you will play the Craddock Course. Since the courses are reversible you will play them in different directions each day. There are actually 27 greens for the two courses as they share 9 and each have their own 9 during play. We didn't know what to expect with a reversible layout, but let me tell you, it played completely different each day! Dan Hixson, the designer, did a wonderful job with the layouts and really made you feel as if you were playing two completely separate courses all while being excited to play certain holes in a different direction.
We came for the golf but left really appreciating all that we had experienced. The staff was friendly and helpful and really made it a point to help you enjoy your experience. We met some great people that we were able to talk golf with as well. We really see now how this place would draw people in to enjoy all it has to offer. Cell phone service is a no go here, so kick back and just enjoy what this place has to offer!
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Dan Hixson and completed in 2018.
Public golf course. Part of Silvies Valley Retreat and Links.
3 sets of tees ranging from 5,335 to 7,075 yards on the Hankins Course.
3 sets of tees ranging from 5,580 to 7,035 yards on the Craddock Course.
https://silvies.us
541.573.5150 10000 Rendevous Lane, Seneca, OR 97873
REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS
Hole 6 Par 4 - 465 Yards Hankins Course
Hole 13 Par 5 - 550 Yards Craddock Course
Hole 13 Par 5 - 550 Yards Craddock Course
Arriving on the tee of the 6th hole brings more of a sense of seclusion to Silvies. Large, wide open spaces dominate the entire property but this hole will narrow your focus. It will be hard to focus on anything other than what is ahead as the large trees line this uphill par 4. One of our favorite holes on the property will test your skills as it climbs up the hill. If you can play a shot that moves right too left then you open up more of the fairway for yourself off the tee. Make sure to take a swing at this as you will want to bite off as much of the yardage on your drive as you can. The green is much longer than it is wide, so dial in a long iron and keep that narrow focus upon approach. I love the feel of being in the hills and having the chance to play golf!
Playing this hole the next day turns it into an extremely enjoyable downhill par 5! Tee it high and let it fly seems to really hold true here. Pounding one of the better drives of the trip I happened to put myself into an easy position to reach this green in two. A decent shot in yielded a putt for an eagle on this par 5. A fairly straight uphill 15 footer turned into the one eagle for our trip! It's strange how a score such as that will determine how well you enjoy some holes you play. However, even without the eagle here, this would be one of our favorite on the course!
Playing this hole the next day turns it into an extremely enjoyable downhill par 5! Tee it high and let it fly seems to really hold true here. Pounding one of the better drives of the trip I happened to put myself into an easy position to reach this green in two. A decent shot in yielded a putt for an eagle on this par 5. A fairly straight uphill 15 footer turned into the one eagle for our trip! It's strange how a score such as that will determine how well you enjoy some holes you play. However, even without the eagle here, this would be one of our favorite on the course!
Hole 7 Par 3 - 200 Yards
The par 3's at Silvies are some of our favorites that we have played. The large putting surfaces provide multiple options for accessing the pins. Sitting just off the hill side and hitting back towards the open property frames this hole very well. Playing out to the solid distance of 200 yards, this hole isn't a walk in the park. When the pin is in the front the miss will definitely be short here. The fairway works towards the putting surface and anything short will have a great chance of bounding towards the green. The putting surface has some large contours in the middle that can ruin your par chances if you put yourself on the wrong side of them. Get yourself on the green and two putt your way to a par and you will be happy as can be here.
Hole 16 Par 4 - 490 Yards & Hole 17 Par 4 - 330 Yards Hankins Course
Hole 2 Par 4 - 355 Yards & Hole 3 Par 4 - 475 Yards Craddock Course
Hole 2 Par 4 - 355 Yards & Hole 3 Par 4 - 475 Yards Craddock Course
Hole 16 is another example of how large the fairway landing areas can be. Looking from the tee you feel there is no way you can miss the short grass in front of you. However, we would have proved you wrong as we both pushed our drives right and into the junk. With that said, you should have a pretty solid chance of hitting the fairway, unlike us. The drive plays downhill and the approach shot will turn back uphill. This longer par 4 can be a beast if you get a breeze as well and will require two solid shots to the putting surface. The front bunkers create a shoot into this horseshoe shaped green. The contours near the green can either greatly help or ruin your approach shot. The front pin can be much more accessible as the slopes work towards the front section of the green. If your score took a hit on 16 then number 17 can provide a welcome relief.
I use the word "can" be a welcome relief for hole 16 for a reason. While it is a short par 4, drivable with a perfect drive, it still can play difficult. There is plenty of room to layup off the tee to your favorite approach shot distance. Some people will give the putting surface a go from the tee but it will require a right to left shot shape and must keep right of the deep bunker fronting the green. We tried both ways of getting off the tee and definitely didn't succeed with the driver on this one. Whatever you do, do not come up short in the bunker that guards the middle and left side of the green. This hole can sneak up and bite you if you are not on target, however, I believe most people will come away with a decent score.
Hole 2 on the Craddock course is a short uphill par 4. The landing area is substantial here as well and you will need to avoid the bunker in the right fairway. Your approach here should be done with care as the green can really bite you here. Anything long and left will fall away towards the other side of the green. this can produce an extremely difficult putt as the green is bisected by a large ridge. You should have a great chance to score here, but keep on your toes as well!
Hole 3 should bring confidence to pull out the big stick and swing away! You will continue to see out here that the landing areas are large and inviting. However, you will start to figure out that it doesn't always bring about the best second shots. There is a large depression that runs through the fairway and will leave you a blind approach shot should you end up there. The green is accessible by a multitude of different types of shots. Anything short of the green will that is played low will release towards the putting surface. Overall, this lengthy hole is still set up with the chance to score well.
I use the word "can" be a welcome relief for hole 16 for a reason. While it is a short par 4, drivable with a perfect drive, it still can play difficult. There is plenty of room to layup off the tee to your favorite approach shot distance. Some people will give the putting surface a go from the tee but it will require a right to left shot shape and must keep right of the deep bunker fronting the green. We tried both ways of getting off the tee and definitely didn't succeed with the driver on this one. Whatever you do, do not come up short in the bunker that guards the middle and left side of the green. This hole can sneak up and bite you if you are not on target, however, I believe most people will come away with a decent score.
Hole 2 on the Craddock course is a short uphill par 4. The landing area is substantial here as well and you will need to avoid the bunker in the right fairway. Your approach here should be done with care as the green can really bite you here. Anything long and left will fall away towards the other side of the green. this can produce an extremely difficult putt as the green is bisected by a large ridge. You should have a great chance to score here, but keep on your toes as well!
Hole 3 should bring confidence to pull out the big stick and swing away! You will continue to see out here that the landing areas are large and inviting. However, you will start to figure out that it doesn't always bring about the best second shots. There is a large depression that runs through the fairway and will leave you a blind approach shot should you end up there. The green is accessible by a multitude of different types of shots. Anything short of the green will that is played low will release towards the putting surface. Overall, this lengthy hole is still set up with the chance to score well.
Hole 18 Par 5 - 590 Yards - Hankins Course
The finishing hole on the Hankins Course is set up with the sole purpose of hitting your longest drive of your life! In fact, if you do so, then you will receive a flask filled with whiskey for accomplishing the feat. The tee shot plays downhill and downwind to a firm fairway that bowls towards the middle. The landing area is absolutely massive and welcomes the "swing for the fences" mentality. Hit the right contour in the fairway and watch it bound towards your personal best! With drives in the 370's we were not able to claim this as our longest drives ever. You will have to look at our write up of The Reserve at Moonlight Basin to see why 370 yards didn't accomplish this for us.
We may not have had our longest drives ever, but we were able to reach this large par 5 in two! The second shot plays downhill towards the green and sets you up for a chance at a birdie, if not an eagle. The green is not very wide and is guarded by some difficult bunkering. You will want to approach this green on the right side as everything will work to push you left of the putting surface. There are some bailout areas but none will provide easy shots into the green. The 18th hole proves to be a solid finishing hole that brings your round full circle. You will walk off the green thinking of how enjoyable the round was from beginning to end. They are high on fun here and the course sets up well to enjoy yourself.
We may not have had our longest drives ever, but we were able to reach this large par 5 in two! The second shot plays downhill towards the green and sets you up for a chance at a birdie, if not an eagle. The green is not very wide and is guarded by some difficult bunkering. You will want to approach this green on the right side as everything will work to push you left of the putting surface. There are some bailout areas but none will provide easy shots into the green. The 18th hole proves to be a solid finishing hole that brings your round full circle. You will walk off the green thinking of how enjoyable the round was from beginning to end. They are high on fun here and the course sets up well to enjoy yourself.