The Pacific Northwest has a way of stealing your breath, but when you combine its rugged beauty with a beautifully manicured golf course, it is pure heaven. On our ongoing RV golfing adventure to hit the links in all 50 states, Marc and I recently steered Big Dee toward Burlington, Washington, to play Avalon Golf Links. Situated just an hour north of Seattle, this 27-hole public gem turned out to be the ultimate showcase of Northwest golf.

As many of you know, I look at a course not from the perspective of a scratch golfer, but as a recreational player who appreciates a fair challenge, pristine conditions, and great views.

Avalon delivered on all three!

Designed by the renowned architect Robert Muir Graves and opened in 1991, Avalon features three unique 9-hole layouts: the North, South, and West nines. Because it is a 27-hole facility, they pair the nines together to give you a distinct 18-hole experience.

Today we played the North and West Courses.

The first thing that grabbed me before I even swung a club was the backdrop. The property overlooks the picturesque Skagit Valley and offers panoramic views of both the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.

From the red tees (or in this case, the yellow tees), the course was an absolute delight, though it demanded strategic execution. Robert Muir Graves did an excellent job ensuring that us shorter hitters, aren’t unfairly penalized by forced carries, yet the layout still forced me to think.

What makes Avalon Golf Links stand out is how seamlessly the holes blend into the natural environment. I enjoyed the tree-lined fairways, sudden elevation drops, and cleverly placed water hazards that kept the round exciting from the 1st tee to the 18th green.

It is no surprise this venue has hosted prestigious tournaments like the US Open Qualifiers and the Pacific Northwest PGA Championship.

We were paired with Kelvin and Josh, two golfers from Whidbey Island, who were in the area with their families for the weekend. They were great company, and we really enjoyed sharing our round with them!

Beyond the golf, Avalon operates with the warmth of a true community hub.

Avalon Golf Links perfectly embodies what we love about exploring this country with clubs in hand. It offers a challenging layout, immaculate putting surfaces, and world-class mountain views without any country-club pretentiousness.

Based on our scorecard, we score Avalon Links a Par.

If your travels take you through Western Washington or near the Canadian border, make sure to add Avalon to your must-play list.

Until next time, keep chasing your dreams and enjoying the journey.

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By:  Kathy Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORECARD

Course:  Avalon Links

Type: Public

Date Played: 23 May 2026

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	We were able to get the tee time we requested.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	4	Public rates are very competitive for a course of this caliber. Plus, if you happen to visit on your birthday, they offer a free round of golf (just bring your ID!).
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	4	Good condition, exceptionally well-maintained tee boxes.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	5	Beautifully groomed, rolling turf that provided great lies. There are plenty of elevation changes and subtle doglegs that reward smart club selection over raw distance. The layout features wide, straightforward fairways
5 – Condition of Greens	4	4	Incredibly true with subtle breaks.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	Depending on which combination of 18 holes you play, the total length ranges from roughly 6,600 to 6,800 yards
7 – Hazards	4	4	The course has a mix of dense timber out-of-bounds, hidden water hazards, and fast, undulating greens.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	3	Corran and Riley were welcoming and provided some great tips for the course. During our round, the marshal ensured a solid pace of play and maintained a friendly, welcoming atmosphere on the fairways.
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	3	The course is largely open with straightforward holes, giving high handicappers plenty of room to miss off the tee without constantly landing in unplayable trouble or thick rough.
OUT	36	36
10 – Practice Area	5	5	They feature a top-tier driving range, a chipping/pitching green, and a massive putting green to get your speed dialed in before teeing off.
11 – Locker Rooms	3	3	Bathrooms were available.
12 – Pro Shop	4	4	The Pro-shop is a well-stocked facility offering apparel, equipment, and accessories from top brands like Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade.
13 – Location	4	4	Just 40 minutes from our RV Park in Concrete, and just an hour north of Seattle and an hour south of Vancouver, BC, it is a convenient, centralized hub for golfers traveling throughout Western Washington.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	4	Rental clubs are available. Riding carts are well-maintained, feature modern GPS units.
15 – Food Cart	4	3	Chynna, the beverage cart attendant, did a great job making regular visits during our round.
16 – Restaurant/Club House	4	4	After chasing our little white golf balls around, we stopped by the full-service restaurant and bar. The food was fantastic, and the staff treated us like old friends—something we value deeply in our travels.
17 – Parking	3	3	Plenty of parking available.
18 – Customer Service	5	5	Fabulous! The front desk, and Sweet Bite Café staff were polite and professional.
IN	36	35
TOTAL	72	71	PLAYER: Kathy F.  ATTESTED BY: Marc F.