Senior Estates Golf and Country Club sits in the mid-Willamette Valley, in Woodburn, Oregon, and it's a planned 55+ retirement community with 1,511 single-story homes, each with its own garage and yard, and all of them form a neighborhood with shared ownership of common areas and a variety of clubs and activities for those who live there, so folks feel part of something. The main draw is the private 18-hole golf course, built in 1961 by architect William Graham, and it's a short, flat track, just 5,398 yards, par 72, with Bent Grass from tee to green and a slope rating of 100 and a course rating of 65.5, which people say is friendly for golfers of any skill level, because walking's easy, and although trees line most fairways-and plenty of single-family homes peek out from behind-the course has only about a dozen sand bunkers, no water hazards, and mostly small, rounded greens that usually roll at medium speed and have some interesting undulations with a few sharp breaks that can challenge those who pay attention to pin placements marked by color-coded flags. The course always stays open, including in winter, so you can play year-round, and everything's there for comfort, including improved bathrooms both on the course and in the clubhouse, a pro shop with some equipment and clothing, rental carts available, shoe cleaning stations, and air hoses out on the course for quick clean-up, plus they make a point that everyone has to wear proper golf attire and use soft-spike shoes. There are practice options too, like two putting greens, a chipping and sand practice area, and a limited flight driving range with mats and two net stations, so you can work on your game a bit, and there are yardage markers with 150 poles, 100-yard sticks, and in-ground stones-though no rental clubs at this time-which sometimes folks miss.
The clubhouse complex, valued at about a million dollars, has a comfortable feel, and besides the pro shop, there's a community center and event spaces for gatherings. Residents can swim in the covered indoor pool or relax at the spa and health club, and there are a lot of other amenities, clubs, and activities for people to join. The neighboring Country Cottage restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and lets folks order wine or beer. The community also runs an events calendar, hosts golf tournaments, and provides a members-only website for news, schedules, emergency preparedness guides, and club applications. A Board of Directors and committees run things day to day, and they make sure everyone stays safe, with health and wellness guidelines, including awareness about COVID-19. Because homes line nearly every golf hole-but stay tucked behind trees-the neighborhood always feels close-knit and you get both privacy and nice views, and the valley setting gives you scenery of the Cascade Mountains and easy access to the Pacific Ocean if you want that. The whole place is designed to fit into life for people aged 55 and older who want lower-cost homes and a sense of belonging along with access to a walkable, well-kept golf course, a pool, fitness options, and a place to gather with friends, but mainly it's a spot where most things are simple, tidy, and easy to navigate, and that helps a lot of folks enjoy their time here.
