David MacLay Kidd, named “the hottest architect in golf” by Golf World magazine, has moved his home and the world headquarters of his company, DMK Golf Design, to Bend, a Central Oregon city that’s become the most popular vacation spot in the Pacific Northwest. Situated on a high plateau 160 miles east of Portland, Bend has 300 days of sunshine a year, world class outdoor sports and sophisticated city amenities in a small town atmosphere. Residents are loyal to Bend, and say it’s a fulfilling and enriching community to be a part of. In its 100 years Bend has evolved from a timber town into a cultural hotspot. Tourists from all over the country spend their visits attempting to soak up every bit of it.

The move gives Kidd plenty of time to play on his newest creation, Tetherow Golf Course, which officially opens in June. The resort course is the centerpiece of the 700-acre Tetherow resort community and will offer reciprocal play for members of other top-rated courses throughout the country. Once the planned Hotel Tetherow opens next year, play will also be available to hotel guests.

“Everyone on my staff was happy to move here,” Kidd says. “We are living a wonderful rural lifestyle, with all types of outdoor sports right out the door and downtown Bend just a few minutes away. Tetherow has low density, great amenities and views and lots of open space. From the personal and business point of view, it’s a perfect blend.  We’re a few hours from the coast and the airport lets me make easy connections to see my other clients across the world.” With daily direct flights from San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland, Tetherow residents will return home from their business travels to be rejuvenated by the magic and majesty that is life in Central Oregon. 

Barely out of his 30s, Kidd has been a celebrated architect for more than 16 years. In the U.S., his most well-known course is Bandon Dunes on the southern Oregon Coast. He recently completed the design and construction of the new No. 7 Castle Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, the first new course built at ‘the home of golf” in nearly 100 years.  “I built my business on a reputation for being hands-on, said Kidd. “Even as we have added more people and more projects in more countries one thing that has not — and will not — change is my dedication to delivering the highest level of creative golf course design.”

Last spring, he and his wife purchased the first homesite in Tetherow, and Kidd is on the Tetherow course every day he’s in Oregon. “Above all, the course is fun,” he says.  “It’s an adventure to see what the next hole will bring. As a golfer, I love that.”

Traditional golf course designers lay the fairways down with a knife edge where they meet the unplayable areas, Kidd says. “Here, we blur the edges of the fairways so it seems that the natural landscape is gently taking over. It’s much more in keeping with this type of environment.”

When it’s fully developed, Tetherow will have 589 homes and townhomes. Ownership opportunities include homesites, lodge homes, cabins, townhomes and a variety of custom homes. For more information, visit the Tetherow website or call Brand Director Femke van Velzen, 541-390-2259.

In late October, international golf course architect David McLay Kidd and his wife Jill closed on the sale of the first homesite at Tetherow, a new 700-acre golf resort community near Bend, Ore. They were followed by 21 more buyers in six weeks. The 22 lots have a combined value of more than $14 million.

Kidd, named “the hottest architect in golf” by Golf World magazine, designed Tetherow’s private resort course. He recently completed “the No. 7” Castle Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, the first new course built there in nearly 100 years.  Kidd’s courses include the celebrated Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast, and others in Hawaii, California, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Morocco, Canada, and a private island in Fiji.

The only contemporary golf-course architect whose work has been the subject of two books, Kidd can choose to live and work anywhere on the globe.  In April he moved his company, DMK Golf Design, to Bend and is living there fulltime.  His homesite, like many others at Tetherow, overlooks his course and has sweeping views of the city and the Cascade Mountains.

 “My wife is an Oregonian and has deep ties here,” says Kidd. “Our choice of Bend was based mostly on where we would like to bring up our family. We are living a wonderful rural lifestyle here, with all types of outdoor sports right out the door and downtown Bend just a few minutes away. Tetherow has low density, great amenities and views and lots of open space.”

Since Kidd’s purchase, 21 more Tetherow homesite purchases have closed, with 65% of the buyers coming from Oregon and the balance from California, Washington and throughout the country.  More than 80 sites have been reserved, with an estimated value of $42 million.  Ownership opportunities include homesites, lodge homes, cabins, townhomes and custom homes.

In the past 10 years, Bend, Ore. has become the most sought-after home and vacation spot in the Pacific Northwest. Situated on a high plateau 160 miles east of Portland, Bend has an irresistible combination of 300 days of sunshine a year, superb outdoor sports and sophisticated city amenities.

Located in Oregon’s high desert a few minutes from downtown Bend, Tetherow’s 700 acres will also encompass a golf academy and clubhouse, luxury hotel, spa and wellness center, recreation center and conference center. Tetherow’s hotel guests and owners of the 589 homesites and townhomes will have access to all amenities. The golf course and clubhouse are scheduled to open in June, 2008. For more information call Joe Kearney, Director of Sales, 541-318-1234 or toll free 866-234-4848 or visit the Tetherow website.

For comfort and value visitors to scenic Central Oregon prefer the Hampton Inn Bend hotel. On Highway/Business 97, adjacent to Bend River Mall, the inn is close to the best Bend has to offer. The airport is only 15 minutes away Hampton Inn is within walking distance to restaurants, golf and shopping. Skiing at Mount Bachelor is a 30-minute drive. There is a seasonal pool and hut tub at the inn, and seasonal promotions for golfers and college football fans. Football fans must register by 11-3-07. Guests receive a deluxe complimentary hot breakfast, and room amenities such as free high-speed internet, in-room hair dryer, iron and ironing board, micro fridge units, safe deposit box, and TV with premier cable channels. Cribs are available for those traveling with infants. Hampton Inn is a leading brand of quality, value-priced hotels. Group rates are available for business conferences with WiFi connectivity in the lobby.  Hampton also offers a 24 hour front desk, message and fax service and round the clock free breakfast and beverage area.  For information call 541-388-4114or toll free 800-HAMPTON or visit HamptonInn.Hilton.com.