
Apple Tree Course
Apple Tree Golf Course

About this course
Apple Tree Golf Course sits in the Yakima Valley of central Washington, a region known for its agricultural heritage and dramatic high-desert landscape. Designed by John Steidel and opened in 1992, the course occupies rolling terrain with views of the surrounding Cascade foothills and orchards that define the valley's character. The layout takes advantage of natural elevation changes and incorporates water features, native grasses, and mature trees that frame many of the holes. The course is best known for its signature 17th hole, a par-3 island green shaped like an apple—a design feature that reflects the valley's identity as one of the nation's leading apple-growing regions. This hole has become a recognizable image in Pacific Northwest golf and draws attention for its bold visual concept and the challenge of hitting to a green surrounded entirely by water. The rest of the routing offers variety in hole length and strategic options, with several risk-reward opportunities and approach shots that reward accuracy over distance. Apple Tree operates as a public facility and serves both local golfers and visitors exploring the Yakima area. The course has hosted regional amateur events and remains a popular destination for its combination of playability, distinctive design elements, and setting within Washington's interior wine country. The clubhouse and practice facilities support a range of golfers, from beginners to experienced players seeking a memorable round in a landscape distinct from the state's more heavily forested western regions.
Quick facts
- Location
- Yakima, WA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1992
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- John Steidel
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,961 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.3/140
- Course Vaults score
- 7.0
Getting there
The journey to Apple Tree Golf Course begins at Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field, a compact regional hub just ten minutes from the first tee, though many travelers route through Seattle-Tacoma International and embrace the two-and-a-half-hour drive east across the Cascade Range. The crossing itself is a study in contrasts - dense evergreen forests and alpine passes giving way, beyond Snoqualmie, to the wide-open high desert of the Yakima Valley. As Interstate 82 descends into orchard country, the landscape shifts to ordered rows of apple trees and vineyards stretching toward distant ridgelines, a fitting prelude to a course that has woven the region's agricultural heritage into every corner of its design.

FAQ
Common questions about Apple Tree
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Apple Tree has a Course Vaults score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 12 logged golfers.
Apple Tree was designed by John Steidel.
Yes. Apple Tree is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Apple Tree is 72.
Apple Tree plays 6,961 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Apple Tree is 140.



