[Reprinted from The Redmond Spokesman, Redmond, OR -- Wednesday, May 20, 1987]

Juniper Golf Club has joined the big boys.

The public course run by the private club this spring inaugurated a new front nine, bringing the Redmond layout to a full 18 holes.

Although the course is shorter than playing the old nine twice, Juniper's tree-lined fairways and porcupine rough is making golfers groan with masochistic glee already.

"This really puts Redmond on the map for golf," said Phil Mitchell, club president when the project started three years ago.

Golfers who play during their vacations or weekend getaways prefer to play an 18-hole course rather than a nine twice, Mitchell said.

Juniper is one of only six 18- hole courses open to the public in Central Oregon. Bend golf and Country Club's 18-hole course is private, Mountain High in Bend will open its second nine next year. Eagle Crest resort, west of Redmond, is working on its second nine.

The other courses in Bend, Crooked River Ranch, Prineville and Madras are nine holes. Prineville's is not open to the public.

"Golf is on the upswing," Mitchell said. "Sunriver's and Black Butte Ranch's courses are crowded."

Sunriver pro Tim Berg, who designed the Juniper expansion, said the resort could fill a third course with golfers if it had room to build one, according to Mitchell. Snow closes Sunriver's two courses in the winter.

Skiers bound for Mt. Bachelor will see Redmond's 18-hole course from the air if they fly in to Redmond Municipal Airport.

And they almost have to, since Redmond has the only commercial flights in the region.

"You can tell the difference between nine and 18 holes from the air," Mitchell said.

The other 18-hole course in Central Oregon is Kah-Nee-ta, about 45 miles north of Redmond.

"Mountain High plans to have 27 holes and The Riverhouse in Bend is thinking about having a course," Mitchell said. "By 1995 they're predicting there will be 50 percent more golfers than today.

"Where are they going to put them all?"

The city helped the club form Redmond Public Building Corporation to be able to sell tax-exempt revenue bonds. The project came to nearly $600,000. The debt, paid by higher monthly dues and added members, will be retired in 15 years.

The club voted to expand memberships from 325 to 400.

The course is open to the public at most times. The major exceptions are tournaments. With nine more holes, tee times during members' play Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons will be more plentiful.

The new nine, actually 12 counting replacement holes on the original course, only appear more narrow than the old fairways.

"Most of the original nine is not lined with trees," said Juniper pro Bruce Wattenburger. "These give the feeling of old Nos. 4 and 5."

They give the feeling of a tunnel -- a tunnel where balls go right through the walls and vanish. Or splash into a pond like a Chicago bookie who forgot to pay his protection money.

Cement overshoes for the designer might be on the minds of golfers who succumb to No. 9. The 546-yard par 5 doglegs slightly right, then left to the green. The putting surfaces is protected by water on the right and back, and a bunker to the left.

The expansion was designed so more options could be added later, Mitchell said. One addition will be a second practice putting green.

The tee area of the driving range was more than doubled.

"A golf course is a living thing," said Craig Emerson, club president for 1986-87. "It's always being refurbished."