Quicksands at Gamble Sands

Quicksands at Gamble Sands, carved from the high desert landscape overlooking the Columbia River near Brewster, Washington, challenges the notion of traditional links golf. This is inland links, where sagebrush replaces gorse and the ever-present wind shapes both shot trajectories and perspectives.

Designed by David McLay Kidd, Quicksands deviates sharply from the classically strategic parkland courses of the East Coast or the manicured layouts of the South. Instead, it offers a constantly evolving puzzle, a collection of reversible par-3 holes that invite experimentation and reward creativity. While not a championship venue steeped in tournament history, Quicksands offers an experience centered around fun, social golf.

The focus here is on playability and fostering camaraderie. Quicksands is a pure golf experience where groups can compete in a variety of games or formats without taking it too seriously. Many groups circle the course multiple times, playing it again with different shot selections and in different directions, and often betting on the results. The lack of pretense, combined with the stunning natural setting, has quietly earned Quicksands a devoted following of golfers seeking something unconventional.

Beyond the golf, a notable draw is Danny Boy Barbecue, the on-site smokehouse renowned for its ribs and brisket – a perfect complement to the linksland revelry. It's not unusual to see players fueling up between loops or celebrating hard-fought (and perhaps improbable) victories with a plate piled high and a cold beverage.