Avalon Golf Links: 27 Holes and Mountain Views in the Skagit Valley

If you drive north on I-5 from Seattle, the Skagit Valley flats open up past Mount Vernon and the landscape changes. The tulip fields and farm stands give way to rolling hills above Burlington, and up on Kelleher Road, you'll find Avalon Golf Links -- a 27-hole Robert Muir Graves design that quietly earns a reputation as one of the best public golf options in western Washington.

Three Nines, One Decision

Avalon runs three distinct 9-hole loops: North, South, and West. On any given visit, you pick two of the three for your 18-hole round. That rotation is a genuine selling point. Members who play regularly can work through multiple combinations without ever repeating the same layout. Visitors get a fresh look each time they return.

From the Black tees, the course stretches to 6,538 yards with a course rating of 72.1 and a slope of 127. That's legitimate challenge without being punishing. The Green tees sit at 6,023 yards (rating 69.6, slope 125), and the White tees come in at 5,621 yards with a slope of 128 -- meaning the mid-length tee box actually plays trickier than the back. Four more tee options down to 4,532 yards on the Gold tees mean every skill level finds a fair test here. All configurations play to par 72.

What Graves Built

Robert Muir Graves finished Avalon in 1991. Graves was a prolific West Coast architect who understood Pacific Northwest terrain -- rolling ground, wet winters, firm summer turf -- and designed accordingly. At Avalon, he used the natural elevation changes above the valley floor to build in visual drama without forcing artificial mounding.

The fairways move. Doglegs show up consistently, requiring golfers to think about angle and not just distance off the tee. The greens are protected, typically elevated or guarded by slope, and they reward a controlled approach over hero shots. Bunkers frame many of the target areas, and when conditions are dry the sand plays well; in wet weather, the compacted sand can make bunker recovery tougher than expected.

The West nine carries a specific reputation among regular players: it's the most secluded of the three loops, with minimal housing intrusion, but it also tends to hold moisture after rain. In a region that sees its share of gray skies from October through April, that can mean the West plays firmer and faster in summer than the rest of the year.

The Views Are Real

Avalon markets its mountain scenery and it delivers. From the higher holes, you get clear sight lines to both the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east. On a clear day, the panorama is substantial -- the kind that makes you pause before a tee shot and actually take it in. The Skagit Valley floor spreads out below, flat farmland meeting the foothills, and on spring mornings before any afternoon haze sets in, it's a striking setting for a round of golf.

The course sits about an hour north of Seattle and a comparable drive south of Vancouver, BC, which puts it in a useful geographic position for a destination day trip or a golf outing.

The Course Experience

Avalon's staff gets consistent praise across reviews. The clubhouse includes a banquet facility that handles events up to 200 guests, which explains the course's strong reputation for corporate outings and tournaments. The pro shop is well-stocked, and the course can accommodate tournament fields up to 216 players across the 27 holes.

Walking is permitted, which matters for golfers who prefer to carry. The Green fees land in a range that represents solid value for the quality of conditions -- reviewers repeatedly call out the greens as a highlight when they're running well, fast and true with reasonable break. A cart membership and multiple levels of full membership make Avalon an attractive option for Skagit County residents who want consistent access.

What to Expect When You Play

Avalon rewards strategic play over power. The par-4s and par-5s on each nine present scoring opportunities for players who manage the doglegs and stay out of the protected green surrounds. Don't chase the driver on every tee -- the course asks for placement on multiple holes, and leaving approach shots in the right position matters.

Pace of play can be a factor on busy weekends. Booking a morning time or a weekday round gives a smoother experience. Green conditions vary seasonally, as they do at any Pacific Northwest course, but summer and early fall typically bring the firmest, fastest surfaces.

The combination of 27 holes, mountain views, an accessible location, and a designer with real credentials puts Avalon in the top tier of public golf in western Washington. If you're north of Seattle and looking for a full day of golf with variety built in, this is a strong answer.

Ready to plan your round? View the full scorecard for Avalon Golf Links -- including hole-by-hole yardages, ratings, and all tee options -- on Stymie.