Dave Leder

Changes are happening fast at the Mount Adams Golf Club as new owner Pat Shields transforms the historic recreation destination off U.S. Highway 97.

Shields completed his purchase of the century-old club — formerly known as the Mount Adams Country Club — in January and he has been making significant improvements over the past 10 months.

More than 500 trees have already been removed from the grounds and Shields estimates that another 60 to 80 trees will be taken down before next spring. Crews have begun remodeling the existing clubhouse, and work on a new 3,600-square-foot structure is approximately half done. 

The facility features a 6,000-square-foot roof line and will house a new pro shop and a virtual reality golf room, which could open as soon as this fall. The building will also be used to store 36 top-of-the-line golf carts that the club purchased this season. 

Shields’ grand vision is even larger, but for now, he has agreed to let off the accelerator.

“It has turned into a really big project — bigger than we originally thought it would be,” the Yakima businessman said. “But the county has asked us to slow down a bit, so we agreed to step back so we could talk more about our how our long-term plans could coincide.”  

Those plans involve creating a large outdoor concert venue off U.S. 97 that would bring in up-and-coming acts from the Nashville country music scene. Shields envisions hosting as many as 10,000 patrons for the concerts, which would run from May through October.

“I’m trying to create something that’s not currently offered in our area,” he said. “My goal is to offer an experience that you can’t get in the valley unless you go to The Gorge.”

Shields is hoping he can open the venue as soon as next summer, but a number of logistics still need to be fleshed out. Chief among them is securing approximately 80 additional acres of land for parking and overnight camping. 

That process will take time, but Shields explained that a number of conversations will be happening behind the scenes this fall. 

“A lot of things still need to fall into place, but we’re on the journey to making that happen right now,” said Shields, who held a series of meetings with county officials the week of Sept. 15. “I’m not sure if we will be ready by next summer, but that’s still our goal.”

The concept for the concert series is to provide an affordable entertainment option unlike anything else in Central Washington. He has been in contact with various booking agents, and he expects to be able to offer general admission tickets for $45 and VIP seating for $85.

“After talking to some people in the industry, I know what it’s going to cost to put something like this on,” Shields said. “What it comes down to for me, with the golf course and the concert venue, is being able to offer affordable entertainment options for the people of this valley.”

Shields has been overwhelmed by how successful the 2025 golf season has been, tipping his cap to the hundreds of Lower Valley residents who have supported the business and helped bring in new members.

“This season has just been fantastic,” he said. “We’ve held a number of tournaments and the community has been very supportive. What I have found is that everyone around here loves this place, and they all want me to succeed.”

Shields thanked all corners of the community for supporting the evolution of the golf club — farmers, ranchers, dairymen, business owners, and, of course, the longtime MAGC members. 

As the club’s 100-year anniversary approaches next year, Shields believes he has already accomplished a lot. But, in many ways, he feels like he’s just getting started.

“Everywhere I turn, there are people who are so grateful for what I’m trying to do here,” he said. “I had no idea people would get behind me this much. I just can’t say enough about them. I feel very fortunate.”