Heaven on the Green

A Look at What Makes Tokatee Golf Course So Special

Story and photos by Craig Reed

When a golfer steps up to the tee on the 11th hole of Tokatee Golf Course, it’s hard not to be a bit distracted.

In the distance to the left are the Three Sisters mountains, straight ahead and a bit closer is Castle Rock, and nearby in all directions are tall Douglas fir trees.

It’s OK for golfers to take a moment to enjoy the view of this signature par-3 hole, but then they must take a swing at their golf ball and hope it lands on the green and not in the pond to the right.

Views and scenes like this one are what make Tokatee special, according to those who play the 18-hole layout. The course is hidden in the Douglas firs of the McKenzie River drainage about 45 miles east of Eugene.

“It’s worth the drive, for sure,” says Gerry Synder, a Eugene resident who has been a golfer for close to 20 years and played the Tokatee course during many of those. “I honestly think it’s heaven on Earth, getting out of the valley and away from people. Playing Tokatee is a great way to finish out the workday or the work week.”

Kennedy Bodiford has worked at the course for the past 5 years and became the head golf pro at the end of 2022. With her experience of playing golf on many courses while a member of the University of Mississippi golf team and playing on courses in all 48 lower states, Kennedy can make some comparisons.

“Tokatee is easily in my top 5 courses,” she says. “Why is it special? Because of its remoteness. There are no houses on the course, so it gives you that secluded, almost religious-type experience.”

In addition to hole 11, Kennedy says holes 5 and 16 are also special. Hole 5 features big Douglas fir trees lining the fairway, with 1 of them being an obstacle in the middle of the fairway.

“Lots of people have asked us to cut it down, but I don’t think it’s going away,” Kennedy says.

She says hole 16, like 11, has a beautiful view of the Three Sisters. When on the tee box of the par-5 16th hole, golfers swing directly toward the mountains that are miles away.

Although winter weather closes the course from mid-November through February, 20,000 rounds are played each year, most of them being for 18 holes and the rest for 9 holes.

Trey Harbick, a resident of nearby Blue River, grew up near the course.

“(I’m) fortunate and blessed to have Tokatee in my backyard,” Trey says.

He plays the course at least a couple times a week.

“The scenery is probably some of the best in the whole McKenzie valley,” he says.

“I would say the course is a fair test for the competitive golfer or lower-handicapped golfer, but it is also friendly for beginning golfers. It’s a very fair course and is always in incredible condition because they take incredible care of it.”

The course was the idea of Nat Giustina, a lumberman from Eugene and a golf enthusiast. In 1962, he bought Belknap Ranch. Construction of a golf course began in 1964. The front 9 holes opened July 1, 1966. The back 9 opened in the summer of 1969.

Nat managed the course until 1996 when his son, Larry Giustina, assumed management duties. After Larry died in 2022, his son, Mark Giustina, took over the responsibilities. The course continues to be owned by the Giustina family.

To celebrate Tokatee’s 50th anniversary in 2016, a 4-person scramble tournament and a putting contest were held. That’s become an annual celebration with last year’s event drawing 232 golfers.

Upgrades to the facilities were made in 2020 when the pro shop and restaurant were remodeled, in 2023-24 when the bathrooms were remodeled, and last year when a walk-in refrigerator/freezer was built.

In 2023, Kennedy and her husband, Logan Bodiford, and partners Austin and Kara Willhite bought the course’s restaurant, the 1966 Bar and Grill. The menu was updated, and bingo and live music events were added.

While the course offers scenery and solitude because of its mountain location, it’s susceptible to growing wildfire risk. It’s been fortunate to have been missed in recent years by the Lookout Fire and Holiday Farm Fire.

“We lucked out with the Holiday Farm Fire as the wind was blowing it downriver,” Kennedy says.

The fire was about a quarter mile from the western edge of the course, but then burned away to the west.

She adds that the Lookout Fire came within about 300 yards of the pro shop before being turned back.

Both fires forced area residents to evacuate, but the course suffered no damage.

Golfers not only enjoy the course, but also like the merchandise offered in the pro shop. Based on sales per golfer, the Tokatee pro shop won the 2024 Merchandiser of the Year Award, prevailing over 1,300 other pro shops in Oregon and the Northwest.

The goal of the Giustina family and Tokatee employees, as stated on the course’s website, is to maintain a lowkey, rustic operation furnishing enjoyable golf at its finest, as well as the motto, “Everyone welcome.”

“Tokatee is one big, happy family,” Kennedy says. “We say we are the luckiest people to be able to enjoy this special place.”