COURSE PROFILE INTERVIEW: Gamble Sands By Brian Weis

COURSE PROFILE INTERVIEW: Gamble Sands

By Brian Weis

What You Need To Know: Gamble Sands

An Insightful Interview With Blake Froling, General Manager

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Blake Froling who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Gamble Sands is a world-class golf destination set high above the Columbia River in Brewster, Washington. Designed by renowned architect David McLay Kidd, the Sands Course is a true links-style layout with firm, fast fescue fairways, wide open vistas, and views that stretch for miles. Known for its playability and fun, player-friendly design, Gamble Sands is ranked among the top public courses in the country and offers an unforgettable golf experience for players of all skill levels. With additional offerings like the short course Quicksands, the Cascade Putting Course, and the new Scarecrow course opening August 1, the resort is a golfer's paradise.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Gamble Sands isn't just another round of golf-it's a golf experience. With panoramic views of the Columbia River and Cascade Mountains, incredibly playable fairways, and unmatched hospitality, we offer something truly special. The vibe is relaxed, the courses are immaculately maintained, and the layout offers a rewarding and memorable round for every level of golfer. Whether you're here for the golf, the views, or the peaceful energy of Gamble Sands, this is the course people return to again and again.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Stay below the hole. The greens at Gamble Sands are large and undulating-being above the pin can make for some slick, downhill putts. Also, don't be afraid to use the ground game-many shots can be played bump-and-run style with great success.

On Quicksands, the key is imagination. The par-3s are short but tricky, so take advantage of the contouring to feed shots close.

Any recent changes to the golf course? Or any upcoming changes?
Yes-our most exciting update is the Scarecrow Course, a brand-new 18-hole layout also designed by David McLay Kidd, opening August 1, 2025. It brings a fresh experience to the property with new elevation shifts, routing through natural canyons, and bold green complexes.

We've also expanded our lodging and upgraded amenities in preparation for the increased guest demand, making Gamble Sands a full-service golf resort.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Gamble Sands is consistently ranked among the top public courses in the United States. It was named the #1 Best Public Golf Course in Washington by Golfweek, and frequently appears in national "Best Of" lists from Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and more. What we're most proud of, though, is the overwhelming feedback we receive from guests who say it's the most fun round of golf they've ever played.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Hole 2 on the Sands Course is hands down our most iconic hole. A short, drivable par 4, it tempts players to go for the green-but the real star here is the view. Standing on the tee, you're treated to an unforgettable sightline straight down to the Columbia River, framed by the majestic Cascade Mountains. It's breathtaking, strategic, and always a hot topic post-round.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
I personally love the 7th Hole - a risk reward shorter par 5 that can give you a good chance at eagle or if you make a mistake it could add up quickly.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Any of our signature dishes featuring locally sourced Gebbers beef. Favorites include the melt-in-your-mouth short rib, the juicy Danny Boy Burger, and the perfectly seared ribeye. And don't miss the Tower of Tots-crispy tots tossed in BBQ sauce, layered with prime rib, melted cheese, sour cream, and green onions. It's comfort food at its finest. Pair any of these with a craft cocktail or local beer and soak in the panoramic views from the patio-the perfect way to toast a great day of golf.

For the traveling golfer, do you have lodging onsite or partner with any area hotels?
Yes, we offer lodging right onsite at The Inn at Gamble Sands, featuring well-appointed rooms with river or golf course views. Guests can choose from Double Queen, Double King, King, or King Suite accommodations, all designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. Staying on property means waking up to sweeping sunrise views and being just steps from teeing off.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
The official course record on the Gamble Sands course is 59, by two people in an event last year.

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7151
Slope: 120
Rating: 73.4

More Information
Gamble Sands 200 Sands Trail Road Brewster, Washington, 98812 509-436-8323

www.gamblesands.com

Revised: 07/14/2025 - Article Viewed 112 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the mastermind behind GolfTrips.com, a vast network of golf travel and directory sites covering everything from the rolling fairways of Wisconsin to the sunbaked desert layouts of Arizona. If there’s a golf destination worth visiting, chances are, Brian has written about it, played it, or at the very least, found a way to justify a "business trip" there.

As a card-carrying member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA), and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG), Brian has the credentials to prove that talking about golf is his full-time job. In 2016, his peers even handed him The Shaheen Cup, a prestigious award in golf travel writing—essentially the Masters green jacket for guys who don’t hit the range but still know where the best 19th holes are.

Brian’s love for golf goes way back. As a kid, he competed in junior and high school golf, only to realize that his dreams of a college golf scholarship had about the same odds as a 30-handicap making a hole-in-one. Instead, he took the more practical route—working on the West Bend Country Club grounds crew to fund his University of Wisconsin education. Little did he know that mowing greens and fixing divots would one day lead to a career writing about the best courses on the planet.

In 2004, Brian turned his golf passion into a business, launching GolfWisconsin.com. Three years later, he expanded his vision, and GolfTrips.com was born—a one-stop shop for golf travel junkies looking for their next tee time. Today, his empire spans all 50 states, and 20+ international destinations.

On the course, Brian is a weekend warrior who oscillates between a 5 and 9 handicap, depending on how much he's been traveling (or how generous he’s feeling with his scorecard). His signature move" A high, soft fade that his playing partners affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) call "The Weis Slice." But when he catches one clean, his 300+ yard drives remind everyone that while he may write about golf for a living, he can still send a ball into the next zip code with the best of them.

Whether he’s hunting down the best public courses, digging up hidden gems, or simply outdriving his buddies, Brian Weis is living proof that golf is more than a game—it’s a way of life.