Gamble Sands To Add 14-Hole Golf Course Named ‘Quicksands’

Gamble Sands in Eastern Washington is the latest golf destination to get in on the short course movement, breaking ground on a 14-hole layout dubbed “Quicksands” that’s designed by architect David McLay Kidd.

McLay Kidd designed the highly regarded Gamble Sands as well as the original course at Bandon Dunes and, most recently, Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. The new short course at Gamble Sands is built on a 25-acre parcel of rolling sand dunes between the facility’s driving range and entry road and will feature par-3 holes that vary in length from 60 to 160 yards.

“Historically short courses were often after thoughts, squeezed into useless corners for non-golfers to go try their hand,” said McLay Kidd, whose 18-hole Sands course at the property opened in 2014. “Today short courses have become a serious addition to world-class golf resorts. The best land is sought, the best talent is brought to bear, expectations are high, and we don’t plan to disappoint.”

The first short course designed by McLay Kidd and the first of its kind in Washington, Quicksands is expected to be completed and open for limited preview rounds by this fall. Imaginative shot-making and fun are the emphasis at Quicksands, where working names of holes include Plinko, Crater, Donut and Boomerang.

There will be a course-wide sound system that will cater to musical tastes that range from the Eagles to Metallica.

“We expect a lot of whooping and hollering throughout the course, giving it a strong social vibe,” said Gamble Sands General Manager Brady Hatfield. “Plus, Quicksands will not be an overly stern test of ones golf game. With limited force carries and tons of turf, golfers will have lots of shot options.”

Gamble Sands is the latest golf destination looking to provide a short, fun-focused golf option for guests.

Tiger Woods is designing a new short course at Pebble Beach in California, Forest Dunes in Northern Michigan plans to open a 10-hole, par-3 course this year and Pinehurst Golf Resort recently opened its 780-yard “Cradle” course where children under 17 play for free and music is piped from speakers after noon.

McLay Kidd has seen the benefits of short courses at both Bandon Dunes, with the 13-hole Bandon Preserve par 3 course, and Sand Valley, which has a 17-hole par-3 layout called The Sandbox. There’s also Top of the Rock, a nine-hole par-3 course at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, and the Horse Course, a 10-hole layout with no tees at Nebraska’s Prairie Club.

Among the primary allures of the short course is that they offer a fun and playable option, take considerably less time than a traditional 18-hole round, and are geared toward players of all skill levels.