The Tri-Cities has earned a reputation for being a wine-lover's haven, but don't sleep on its appeal to golf lovers, too.
There are 10 golf courses in the Tri-Cities. Nine are public, one is private. Most are a full 18 holes, a couple are nine holes. Half of them have what I'd call a "golf course community" of homes, while some of the others are located in existing residential areas.
All of which is to say, if you're looking for a golf course community in the Tri-Cities to call home, you have a lot of variety to choose from.
Hi, I'm Cari McGee. I've been a Tri-Cities Realtor® since 2004, and I've helped clients both buy and sell homes in all five of the Tri-Cities golfing communities. In this article, I'll walk you through each one to give you a sense of that variety. So grab your scorecard and let's take a swing at what it's like living in a Tri-Cities golf course community! (See what I did there?)
What You Need to Know About Living in a Golf Course Community
Three quick things before we dive into the local golf community scene.
1. You Don't Have to Play Golf
Believe it or not, most people who live in golf course communities aren't golfers. There was a study many years ago of 700+ residents in a Texas golf subdivision -- only 29% of the people who lived there said they golf at least once a month.
Anecdotally, I can tell you that the majority of my clients who bought homes in a local golf course community don't consider themselves serious golfers, either. They just loved the neighborhood and the home they found. Which leads us perfectly into....
2. What Locals Love About Life in a Golf Course Community
For most, it comes down to what's behind and around the house. If you live right on the course, instead of a neighbor's back fence, you get a wide stretch of green grass and open sky. In the Tri-Cities, where the hills usually turn brown by summer, that green view goes a long way!
Golf course neighborhoods are also typically very clean and well-kept. You get quiet streets, great sunsets, and room for an evening walk. People in these neighborhoods tend to take pride in their homes, and golf course homes usually draw strong interest from buyers when it's time to sell.
And if you do golf, even better: Your trip to the first tee, and your walk or drive home after the 19th hole, are a lot shorter.
3. But There are Trade-Offs
You'll have to be comfortable -- or get comfortable -- with some things that just don't happen when you live in a non-golf neighborhood.
If you live right on the course, the occasional stray golf ball will probably land in your yard at some point. (My husband used to golf many years ago and tells me that some of his errant shots landed in the yards of homes that weren't even right on the course! 😅)
That's not all. Mowers can start early, golfers will pass by your backyard if you're on the course, and some neighborhoods have HOA rules on things like fences and landscaping. For most of my buyers, none of that is a deal-breaker. It's just good to know up front.
My tip: stop by the home(s) you're looking at early on a Saturday morning. You'll learn a lot in 20 minutes!
So with all of that said, let's look at the five main golf course communities in the Tri-Cities.
Kennewick Golf Courses and Communities
Three of the area's 10 courses are in Kennewick: Canyon Lakes, Zintel Creek, and Columbia Park Tri-Plex. Canyon Lakes is the only one of the three with a formal golf course community, which I'll talk more about below.
Zintel Creek is in a residential area close to downtown Kennewick, but it's not what we consider a "golf course community." There are no homes adjacent to Columbia Park Tri-Plex.
See all of today's golf course homes for sale in Kennewick.
Canyon Lakes Golf Course and Community
Canyon Lakes, in south Kennewick, is one of the best-known golf courses and neighborhoods in the Tri-Cities. The public, 18-hole course has won numerous awards for being one of the highest-rated courses in the Tri-Cities, the state of Washington, and even the wider Pacific Northwest.
The course winds through the neighborhood, so you'll find homes that sit right on the course and others that are a short walk away. Many homes look out over fairways, greens, or the course's ponds. (That's Canyon Lakes and some of its homes in the photo at the top of this article.)
You'll find a mix of one-story and two-story homes, many on larger lots with mature trees and landscaping. It's an established neighborhood with a nice mix of families, working professionals, and retirees.
Ready to take a look at what's available there right now? Canyon Lakes Golf Course homes for sale
Richland Golf Courses and Communities
Four of the Tri-Cities' 10 courses are located in Richland: Meadow Springs Country Club, Columbia Point Golf Club, Horn Rapids Golf Course, and Buckskin Golf Club. The first three I mentioned each have a home community; Buckskin is located in more of a rural/industrial area.
Use this link to see all of the Richland golf course homes for sale right now.
Meadow Springs Country Club
Meadow Springs Country Club is the one private golf club here in the Tri-Cities. It's a premier course that's played host to US Open qualifying tournaments, the Washington State Amateur Golf Championship, as well as other PGA and college tournament.
The Meadow Springs neighborhood is in south Richland in an area that's really grown in the past 10-20 years with plenty of shopping and dining. There are both single-family homes and condos in and around the community. Homes here are well established, with mature trees and roomy lots. Many have views of the course, and the club offers more than golf, including dining and social events.
One thing you should know: Buying a home in Meadow Springs doesn't make you a club member. Membership is separate, and I believe there's a waiting list right now, too.
See what's for sale now: Meadow Springs Country Club homes for sale.
Columbia Point Golf Club
If you want golf and the river in the same neighborhood, Columbia Point is the spot! This 18-hole public course sits near the Columbia River in Richland, a few minutes from the marina, riverfront trails, and waterfront restaurants.
Homes here tend to be condominiums, some of which are right on the course. Others are off the course a bit, but right on the river! So either way, chances are good that you're going to love the views from your home.
It's about as centrally-located to all the Tri-Cities has to offer as you can get. It's also a quick drive to downtown Richland, which makes it popular with buyers who want a short commute and plenty to do nearby.
Take a look at current listings: Columbia Point Golf Club homes for sale.
Horn Rapids Golf Course
Horn Rapids is an 18-hole, public golf course in North Richland. The links-style course is the centerpiece of the growing community includes plenty of newer homes, and more on the way.
If you want a newer home with an open floor plan, Horn Rapids is worth a close look. It's also a short drive to many of north Richland's largest employers, which makes for an easy commute.
See what's on the market now: Horn Rapids Golf Course homes for sale.
Pasco Golf Courses and Communities
Two of the area's golf courses are in Pasco: Sun Willows Golf Course and Pasco Golfland. Sun Willows is the only one of the two with an established home community. Golfland is a par-3 course that sits just off the Tri-Cities Airport grounds. There are nearby homes to the north and west of it, but it's not considered a formal golf course community.
Here's a look at all of the Pasco golf course homes for sale right now.
Sun Willows Golf Course
Sun Willows is Pasco's 18-hole public golf course, and the homes around it offer golf course living in one of the fastest-growing cities in the region.
Both the homes and the community as a whole are on the smaller side compared to the other golf course communities mentioned here, so there's usually fewer homes available and fewer sales.
The homes also tend to run less expensive than their counterparts in the larger and newer communities, so you may find that you get more bang for your buck here. Sun Willows is a great option if you want the golf course lifestyle without stretching your budget as far.
Start browsing here: Sun Willows Golf Course homes for sale.
Cari's Final Thoughts
I didn't mention West Richland Golf Course here. There are some homes to the south and west of it, but like a few of the other local courses, the homes don't make up a formal golf course community.
Whether you golf every weekend or just want a great view out the back window of your home, there's a Tri-Cities golf course community that's likely to have what you want.
If you have any other questions about the golf course communities in the Tri-Cities, reach out anytime. I've helped buyers find homes in nearly every Tri-Cities neighborhood since 2004, and I'd love to help you find yours.
- Cari