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Oster Golf Houses - Golf Along The Robert Trent Jones Trail in Style
How One Man's Dream Became The Perfect Golf Lodging Experience
By Brian Weis
Rick Oster was frustrated by lodging choices for guys' golf trips. Hotels forced everyone to scatter into separate rooms, with no space to watch TV, play cards or hang out together. Vacation rental houses look great online, but often disappoint when you arrive. It was always a roll of the dice. Most houses have a large master bedroom and small kids rooms, so some guys end up in twin beds. Not exactly what a grown man wants to sleep in. The best part of a golf trip is being together and Rick was tired of searching for a great place to stay at a reasonable price.
A napkin, a pen and an idea
One night in 2005 while on a golf trip, Rick grabbed a pen and scribbled on a napkin. He asked himself one question; If I were to design a house specifically for guys on a golf trip, what would I include? This is what he wrote:
* Living Area - Open concept, plenty of room to hang out, pool table, big TV, table for 8 to eat and play cards, full kitchen.
* Bedrooms - Four "master suites", two queen beds in each, plush mattresses, plasma TV, bathrooms with walk-in showers.
* Outside - Patio with seating for 8, stainless steel grill, putting green
* Services - Offer services like an upscale hotel: private chef, grocery shopping, massage therapists...etc.
The napkin turned into blueprints and then a house
Not long after brainstorming the idea, Rick purchased land near Bandon Dunes in Oregon and worked with an architect to create a set of blueprints. In 2007 his first Oster Golf House was built and was immediately successful. A second home was completed in 2008 and received rave reviews. The overwhelming response confirmed that Rick wasn't the only one looking for a better way to stay. There was a need for "purpose built" houses in great golf locations that were priced right.
Run out of town - A blessing in disguise
Despite the fact that Oster Golf Houses attracted thousands of golfers to Bandon Dunes, they decided OGH was more of a threat than a partner. In 2009 Bandon Dunes changed their tee time policy, making it difficult for "outside guests" to get tee times. Initially this was a devastating blow, but it encouraged Rick to find a more open-minded golf resort to call home. He considered the most popular destinations in the country, and ultimately decided to take Oster Golf Houses to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. "The Trail" offered fantastic championship golf courses with low green fees and friendly staff. They also loved the idea of having unique lodging that golfers would embrace, and fully supported Rick's efforts.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Fast forward 15 years and there are SEVEN Oster Golf Houses on the RTJ Trail, in 3 different locations. Each of the 7 houses overlooks a beautiful golf course, and is located closer to the clubhouse than any other lodging option. Rick credits God for helping him find amazing properties that were not advertised to the public, every time he looked. His houses are on large parcels of land that are private and secluded, yet convenient to all the cities have to offer. OGH hosts thousands of golfers every year and over 80% are repeat customers. Once you enjoy an Oster Golf House, you'll want to come back.
A Special Offer For You - Rent two nights, get One Night FREE!
If you look at Oster Golf Houses' 2025 calendar, you'll see that weekends are booked far in advance. However, there are many weeks where Sundays to Wednesdays are available. To help fill those nights, we are offering our subscribers an exclusive deal: RENT TWO NIGHTS AND GET ONE NIGHT FREE!
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Revised: 02/14/2025 - Article Viewed 283 Times
About: Brian Weis
Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.
All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.
On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.
Contact Brian Weis:
GolfTrips.com - Publisher and Golf Traveler
262-255-7600