Legend has it that Gearhart Golf Links began life in about 1888, starting out as a few holes of true Links golf amongst the seaside meadows that characterize the North Oregon coast. Golf, somewhat new to the U.S., came to Gearhart by way of visitors to the bustling resort who had experienced the game in Europe and found Gearhart's meadows the perfect setting. By 1892, golf was a regular pastime for guests of the Hotel Gearhart on the four-hole course just across the street.

In 1901, at the hands of Marshall Kinney, Gearhart was officially opened as a 9 hole course. In 1913-1915 Gearhart grew to 18 holes and began a long heritage as one of the state's premiere golf venues. Between1926 and 1935 the course underwent a series of changes including a redesign by Chandler Egan resulting in the layout which remains relatively unchanged.

In 1999, Northwest golf course architect, William G. Robinson re-designed a large portion of the golf course. By utilizing most of the layout from the 30's, and adding new tees, bunkers and re-desiging some of the problem greens, he has created a challenging and beautiful links style course.

Gearhart Golf Links began as a classic example of early Links golf. For over a century it has stood as a landmark of the game's origins in Oregon and the western United States. Today Gearhart stands ready to begin a new century and a new millennium. With classic styling and rugged windswept features it remains Oregon's premier link to a rich golf history.

No discussion of Oregon history would be complete without mention of Gearhart's great hotels. The first, built in 1890 was a popular gathering place for Portland residents looking to escape the summer heat. The first Gearhart Hotel burned down in l9l3.

The second, and arguably the more grand of the lot, was built in 1900 on the beach at the end of Pacific Way. This great Victorian building played a large part in Gearhart's rich history. Legend has it that it was lost to fire in the early 1920's.

In 1923 the last great Gearhart Hotel was built on Marion Avenue at what is now 10th Street. This large 3-story building became the hub of what would become Oregon's first destination resort. In 1956, the Gearhart Hotel was host to 256 different conventions in a six month period.

The demolition of the last Gearhart Hotel in 1972, to make way for the Gearhart House condominiums, marked the end of an era. Plans for a hotel/convention center on the property south of the Gearhart Hotel never came to fruition and so Gearhart's reign as one of Oregon's premier destination resort's came to an end.

In August of 1998 another fire struck Gearhart. This time it was the golf course clubhouse, built in 1945, that burned. The "Sandtrap" had been built, in large part, to complement the hotel, which stood across the street. After the hotel's demolition, the Sandtrap became the last remaining piece of the old resort. The fire of '98 was a sharp blow to Gearhart's faithful.

Replacing the lost clubhouse posed an interesting and complex problem. Whatever was built had to do justice to Gearhart's past. It also had to meet the needs of Gearhart's future. As fate would have it, the solution to Gearhart's future came from Gearhart's past. The Kelly House, named for Orson and Olive Kelly who owned the course from 1969 - 2001, is modeled after the second and most grand Gearhart Hotel. It is a modern, state of the art building with the style and feel of 1900. Its 21,500 square feet provide ample space for the future needs of the resort.

With the opening of the Kelly House, Gearhart By The Sea returns once again as a feature resort on the North Oregon coast. With ample accommodations close by, various meeting spaces for groups up to 200, great golf, fine food, and the mighty Pacific Ocean steps away, Gearhart is the place to be for residents and groups of all kinds from throughout the northwest.