Kayak Point Golf Course
15711 Marine Drive,
Stanwood WA 98292

26 years ago Kayak Point Golf Course was completed. The original intent was to build the course for the workers of an oil refinery that was to be built on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. The town's people eventually rejected the idea of the refinery and the oil company donated the golf course to the town of Stanwood, WA. As a result, the people of the greater Seattle-area have access to a fantastic daily-fee golf course.

Without a doubt, Kayak Point Golf Course is one of the Northwest's premiere golfing jewels. When people think of the Northwest they think of towering evergreens. Kayak Point is cut right out of the heart of an evergreen forest. For golfing folks around the country, the perception was one laid down by the images of Sahalee Country Club during the 1999 PGA and 2002 NEC. In my opinion, although not as fancy and not as well maintained, Kayak is a better layout and a prettier course than Sahalee. Kayak has far fewer houses lining its fairways-lending it a feeling of purity. When playing a round at Kayak Point, one feels as if you are taking a pleasant work in the woods. My wife once accompanied me on a round at Kayak, and about half way through the round she commented that the golf course had "good feng shui." The course is on a very large tract of land (450 acres,) it has a fantastic routing plan, and, overall, has a very calm feeling about it. That is if you can get off the first tee successfully!

I am not going to kid you; Kayak Point Golf Course can be a bear if you don't keep your ball in the fairway. And a little local knowledge goes a long way. If you have never played the course, I would suggest that you pick up Kayak Point's Yardage Book that they sell in the pro shop. This golf course is by no means a standard driver-7-iron golf course. You have to know how far you should take it off the tee. And on some occasions-such as on #6-it is better to leave yourself a 200-yard approach shot rather than trying to cut off the dogleg.

There is also an abundance of wildlife to be found here at Kayak Point. By all means keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles soaring above. You should have a hot dog or two for the coyotes that usually bless the 13th and 14th fairways.

One of my favorite holes at Kayak Point is the 14th with its spilt fairway. You truly will have the option to play this hole two completely different ways. To take the fairway to the left is the easier of the two routs. This requires nothing more than a 3-wood off the tee, and an 8-iron into the elevated green with little protection. If you decide to take the fairway to the right, although shorter and a little bit more tempting to the eye, you will bring all sorts of trouble into play. Your tee shot has to be precise; to far to the left and your approach shot will be block out by trees, to far right and you will find yourself in the trees. My suggestion is, if your shot is a draw, play the right-hand fairway and if have a tendency toward a fade, play the left-hand side.

Whether it is a draw or a fade that you play, if you are looking to play a golf course that is truly indicative of the Northwest, I highly recommend Kayak Point. Enjoy!