Madrona Links Golf Course

Madrona Links Golf Course occupies a wooded site in Gig Harbor, Washington, on the Kitsap Peninsula west of Tacoma. Designed by Ken Tyson and opened in the mid-1990s, the course was developed as a daily-fee facility serving the growing communities around southern Puget Sound. The routing makes use of the area's characteristic Douglas fir and cedar forest, with fairways carved through mature timber and elevation changes that reflect the region's glacially sculpted terrain. The layout incorporates water features and wetlands that are common to the Pacific Northwest, requiring golfers to navigate both the tree-lined corridors and strategic hazards. The design emphasizes accuracy over distance on many holes, as the forested setting naturally penalizes errant shots. Elevation shifts throughout the round provide variety in stance and approach angles, and views occasionally open to glimpses of the surrounding peninsula landscape. Madrona serves as an accessible option for residents and visitors to the Gig Harbor area, offering a straightforward test of golf in a setting typical of western Washington courses. The facility operates year-round, taking advantage of the region's mild, wet climate that keeps the course playable through most of the calendar. The layout reflects the practical design considerations of its era, balancing playability for a range of skill levels with the constraints and opportunities presented by the natural site.