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Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Courtesy of the club
Aldarra Golf Club
Sammamish, WA • Private
Aldarra Golf Club
29125 SE Duthie Hill Rd
Sammamish, WA 98075-4205
United States
Overview
Although he owned his own turboprop for over a decade, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that Tom Fazio agreed to work in the Pacific Northwest. Previously, it seemed just too far to travel for someone with six children at home. But former Seattle Supersonics basketball star Jack Sikma convinced Fazio to help his group build a golf-only, non-residential 18 on land east of Seattle. Perhaps it helped that the land had been previously owned by aviation pioneer Bill Boeing, land he had called the Aldarra Farm. Fazio’s design, called The Member’s Club at Aldarra until recent years, quickly became known for its last four holes, dubbed “The Gauntlet.” They consist of a long, stout par 3 (with an old stone farm silo near the green), a par 4 along wetlands, a reachable par 4 with stacked sod bunkers before the green and a long closing par 4 with two forced carries over ravines.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2013.
Highest ranking: 137th, 2013-'14.
Previous ranking: 147th.
2025-'26 ranking: 171st.
Best in State: Ranked since 2005.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 2nd.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Aldarra feels like one of those courses that gets better the more you think about it. The routing moves confidently through the terrain, and there’s a sense of quiet restraint that fits the Northwest setting perfectly. From the very first hole — a scenic opener that sets the tone right away and you can tell this is a course built with care. The views of the surrounding mountain ranges come in and out as the round unfolds, and they really elevate the experience without ever becoming the focus. The course doesn’t rely on tricks or flash. It’s just solid golf, hole after hole, with a mix of shot values that keep you engaged. The conditioning was as pure as I’ve seen all year. Greens were quick and true, and the presentation throughout the course was first class. It’s a fair test that rewards smart play, and one of the better all-around tracks I’ve played in the region. Would absolutely welcome a chance to go back."
Read More2025
Review
“Really nice Tom Fazio design. Cart paths were there but you would never know as hidden by subtle mounds. Walkable. Shot options were high, some holes offered risk-reward from tee. Aesthetics were high, views of the holes were great from many tees and holes also took advantage of great mountain scenery in the distance."
Read More2024
Review
“This Tom Fazio(2001) is located in Sammamish, Washington , 20 miles east of downtown Seattle. It’s built on the 525 acre property where the Boeing family lived which was called Aldarra Farms. It’s on rolling terrain with great views of Mt. Si and the Cascade mountains. The course is very challenging, with well places bunkers and water hazards and significantly undulated greens."
Read More2024
Review
“Aldarra is built on a beautiful site that used to be the Boeing family farm outside the mountains east of Seattle. It is a stunning setting. Unfortunately, the golf course does not match that setting enough to create a special experience. In my travels, I have seen the highs and lows of Tom Fazio courses. At his best, like at Stock Farm in Montana, he built a stunning golf course that is fun and challenging and a wonderful compliment to its natural setting. However, at others, he built courses that are unreasonably hard, over-bunkered and/or artificially shaped and disconnected from nature. The routing at Aldarra never gives the feeling that the golfer is isolated in nature, which was a disappointment. While there are some very good holes, many of the holes, especially on the back 9, are simply too difficult for the average golfer and have artificial features that don't lend to good golf. For instance, there were several drives that were target golf, rather than providing the risk/reward options that make golf exciting. Further, there were several green complexes that either contained double penalties, where bunkers not only protected the green, but false fronts beyond the bunkers, or had ridges that left no room for error on approach shots or even greenside chips. It was clear that Mr. Fazio was charged with making a difficult golf course and that was the club's primary objective. Aldarra has the potential to be a very special place. However, it is going to require a major renovation by an architect who can connect the golf course with its stunning surrounds. In its current form, it may be a good course for scratch golfers, but is a poor option for the recreational golfer."
Read More2023
Review
“Fazio's first course in the Northwest. Great setting. You will definitely enjoy a round here !"
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful course flowing through wilderness."
Read More2022
Review
“Overrated course that is typical Fazio"
Read More2022
Review
“Beautiful course. Nice design variety. Great use of natural topography, vegetation, and hazards."
Read More2022
Review
“Built on the old Boeing Farm property. One of the really enjoyable and challenging courses you can play anywhere in the NW."
Read More2018
Review
“When near Seattle looking to play golf, make the effort. Strong Fazio private club with nice elevation changes, ground movement, and all the attention to detail the designer is famous for. Nice balance between challenging and playability."
Read More2018
