A place to feel at home By Chris Hanson-Hughes Do you ever walk into a place that feels like home? That’s what Gig Harbor Golf Club is for every member.
Gig Harbor Golf Club (GHGC) is more than just a pristine 9-hole golf course that highlights the best parts of the Pacific Northwest. With its towering evergreen trees, views of Mount Rainier, and the occasional wildlife spotting, the course has become a second home for its members. Welcoming both young and old, the club’s various year-round social events further strengthen the ties amongst its members.
The golf course was constructed in tranquil Artondale by fishermen, businessmen and other community leaders in 1954. They were seeking a place to socialize and golf. In 1961, the course was opened on its current 65-acre location. The membership has continued the club’s goal of growing and reinvesting back into the facility.
In 2021, the current Director of Golf Operations, Jake Gregus, was hired. Under his direction, the course has undergone major improvements, including adding a covered bay for the driving range, remodeling the original club house, expanded patio to include a family size fire pit, and resurfacing the driveway and cart paths. The Proshop was recently remodeled and now includes golf attire, hard goods, and a golf simulator for lessons and general practice.
In 2023, members approved new and upgraded course equipment, remodeled tee boxes and a refreshing new look to the members’ bar. Plans are in the making for a redesigned practice area—expanding both the chipping and putting greens—along with enhancements to the course entryway, slated for 2024.
One of the most celebrated upgrades to the club is the redecorated event space within the club house. The remodeled space offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for families to come together. It’s created a meeting point for families to celebrate their children—from first birthdays to high school graduations, weddings, and every other milestone in between.
Orchestrating these milestone events in the members’ lives, you’ll find Jackie Scothorne—the Club House Manager. She and her energetic hospitality team are always welcoming the members with a smile and a drink. Jackie organizes events that strengthen GHGC’s community and highlights that the club is more than just a place to golf. Members meet up for steak nights, card games, trivia contests, billiards and corn hole games. She provides hospitality support to the men’s and women’s club events.
Kids get special visits from Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Halloween goblins during the many holiday celebrations. The club hosts an annual Father’s Day fishing tournament for the children, served up with breakfast too. These GHGC community experiences have built GHGC into the family based organization it is today.
Members have access to private lessons from Troy Kelly, former PGA Tour player, and Jared Eacrett, assistant golf professional. Whether you’re a lifetime golfer or just starting out, Troy and Jared can help you develop your skills. Among the many group outings, Jared leads the ladies in the summer at the weekly Sip and Chip—a hit in more ways than one. There is a plethora of junior golf opportunities from April to August—expert instruction designed to give your junior golfer a deep love for the game and the abilities to perform on the course. PGA Junior Academy is designed exclusively for kids from ages 7 to 17 years old. Instruction is given to develop the skills of golf, from beginner to advanced proficiency. Jeff Gibson, club president, and Justin Skogen, men’s club representative, along with other members, work with the area high school golf teams in the community.
As the Gig Harbor Golf Club is very competitive within the golf club market, membership is by “invitation only,” meaning a submitted application must be sponsored. If you have any questions about the Gig Harbor Golf Club, please contact Jake Gregus, Director of Golf Operations, director@ghgolfclub.com, Jackie Scothorne at clubhouse@ghgolfclub.com or office@ghgolfclub.com.
Gig Harbor Golf Club
6909 Artondale Drive NW
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335
253.851.2428