Mark Campbell (INSET) and wife Patti have owned Crestview Golf Club since 1996. They moved to the coast after 22 years in Alaska. The two recently gave the course a facelift, including Hole No. 4, above, which is one of two signature holes at the Waldport clug. The par 3 measures 172 yards from the gold tees, 154 from the blues, 137 from the whites, and 117 from the reds. (Photos by Jake Schubert)

Mark Campbell spent 22 years in Alaska in a variety of professions. He was a carpenter, a machinist, and sold life insurance.

Eventually, it was time for a change.

Mark, who admits to being more of a bowler than a golfer, and wife Patti were on their way to Prineville to make an offer on a bowling alley. The couple visited friends in Newport on their way to the central Oregon town, but when they read in the paper that it was snowing in Prineville, their plans changed.

Mark noticed that the Crestview Golf Club in Waldport was for sale, and the couple never made it to their predetermined destination. They bought the course in September 1996, and they’ve been here ever since, although for a time the greens were looking rather blue for them.

“After a dozen years or so, we came to an epiphany that we were either going to have to do something, or we were going to have to sell. It just wasn’t doing that well,” Mark explained.

That is how a recent redesign of the course came about.

Originally built in 1969, the course closed at the end of May 2008. Dan Hixson redesigned it, contractors went to work, and the new course was seeded that September. Crestview reopened May 31, 2009, on par with Campbell’s goal to have it reopened within a year.

Hixson is well-known, having designed the Bandon Crossings Golf Course a few years back, followed by designing the Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Wash. Prior to those jobs, Hixson had done about 15 remodel projects in Oregon and Washington.

Campbell said Tony Russell and James Millroy - who built Hixson’s design at Bandon - built Crestview’s 9-hole course.

“They sculpted it as if they were doing a big resort course,” Campbell said.

The course isn’t terribly long at 2,642 yards from the gold tees. It also offers shorter versions of 2,515 yards from the blue tees, 2,338 from the whites, and 2,011 from the reds.

Campbell said the course is designed with novice players in mind, as well as experienced golfers. “If you just want to come out with your buddies, play the white tees, have a good time, don’t feel overly intimidated, you can do that,” he added. “If you are a really good player, step back and go for it.”

The course features two signature holes.

Hole 4 measures 172 yards from the gold tees, down to 154 from the blues, 137 from the whites, and 117 from the reds. Players hit to a three-tiered green over a man-made lake that provides irrigation for the course.

Hole 5 is a challenging par 4 that is 295 yards from the golds, 280 from the blues, 265 from the whites, but only 147 from the reds. It has a slight dogleg to the left, and players must carry over a large unplayable area to reach the fairway.

Campbell said good golfers can score well from the back tees, but the course does have risk-reward features. “If you pull off a great shot, you’re going to do good. If you mess up, you’re going to be in trouble,” he said.

Campbell likes the small town atmosphere, and called Waldport a close-knit community. He also enjoys the service end of his industry.

“I’m a greeter, I’m a thanker, and a handshaker,” he said. “I’m able to appeal to many people on many levels.”

Taking a tour around the course with Campbell, it’s easy to see his appeal.

“I try to thank everybody that I can, because they have options, and because they have options, I appreciate when they stop here,” he said. “I think it shows them that they matter from my standpoint, because they do.”

Campbell is active in the community, as well. He’s on the city council, and the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He is also the head coach for the Waldport High School boys’ golf team.

Tee times are accepted seven days in advance, with the first slot at 7 a.m., when the Pro Shop opens. The course has had eight holes-in-one since it reopened. Jesse Schutte of Florence set the 18-hole course record with a 7-under-par 61 on July 15, 2009.

Cost is $20 for nine holes walking, or $25 with a cart, and $35 for 18 holes walking, $45 with a cart.

Visit the course website at www.crestviewgolfclub.com for more information.