Hitting the linksEveryone needs a little fresh air and exercise. A few thrill-seeking souls may don wetsuits or crash helmets and pursue a high-speed adrenaline rush; but 57 million people worldwide enjoy a leisurely stroll through a park, trying to hit a small white ball several hundred yards into a 4-1/2″ hole in as few strokes as possible.

In Clatsop County, residents and tourists have three public courses to golf on. The Astoria Golf & Country Club hosts about 150 members and guests daily.

For those just starting out or wanting to hone their skills, two driving ranges offer practice areas. And if the very short game’s your forte, you can putt-putt your way through the mini-golf greens in Seaside and Jeffers Gardens.

Golf courses worldwide: 30,730

Global economic impact of sport: $60 billion yearly

Public golf courses in Clatsop County: Gearhart Golf Links (18 holes), Highlands Golf Course (nine holes) and Seaside Golf Course (nine holes)

Longest hole: 581 yards, 18th hole at Gearhart Golf Links

Most susceptible to holes-in-one: Fifth hole at Highlands Golf Course

Holes-in-one recorded this year in Clatsop County: 16 (seven at Highlands)

Estimated number of people golfing in Clatsop County per day: 725

Full-time grounds maintenance workers in Clatsop County: About 15

Practice balls hit at Albertson Golf Range daily: About 4,000

Sources: John Whisler and John Kawasoe, Astoria Golf & Country Club; Ed Arden, Gearhart Golf Links; Kevin Irish, Highlands Golf Course; Wayne Fulmer, Seaside Golf Course; Tom Albertson, Albertson Golf Range; www.golf-research-group.com