Glendale Country Club

Glendale Country Club sits in Bellevue, Washington, on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. Designed by Al Smith and opened in the 1960s, the course occupies rolling terrain characteristic of the Puget Sound region, with mature Douglas firs and cedars framing many holes. Smith, a prominent Pacific Northwest architect whose work includes numerous courses throughout Washington and Oregon, routed Glendale to take advantage of the natural topography, incorporating elevation changes and wooded corridors that define the playing experience. The layout measures around 6,400 yards from the back tees and plays as a par 72. The routing moves through varied terrain, with several holes playing uphill or downhill and others threading through tighter, tree-lined corridors. Water comes into play on a handful of holes, and the greens feature subtle contours that reward local knowledge. The course demands accuracy off the tee, as the tree-lined fairways penalize errant shots, and approach play requires careful club selection given the elevation changes throughout the property. Glendale operates as a private club serving the Eastside Seattle area. The membership has maintained the course over the decades while preserving much of Smith's original design intent. The club provides a traditional country club experience with golf as the central amenity, and the setting offers views toward Lake Washington and the surrounding landscape. Glendale represents a solid example of mid-century regional design adapted to the forested, rolling terrain common to western Washington golf courses.