Hello from Bandon, Oregon! I arrived here Sunday afternoon for my first pilgrimage to the famed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Now, I can finally attest that all the rave reviews you’ve heard from your buddies about this golfing mecca is 100% true (or even better), thanks to the kind folks at TaylorMade.
The equipment company invited 12 media types for its “Short Game Experience,” which included a short game clinic on Monday morning with legendary instructor Jim Flick (who might be my new hero/favorite person — oh, he also helped me track down my long-lost tempo in less than five minutes). Details to come in an extended write-up when I have time once I leave every golfer’s equivalent to paradise.
We had the opportunity and privilege to play the par-3, 13-hole track, Bandon Preserve, which is the latest and fifth course at this special stretch of land, built on sand dunes perched 100 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
No. 11 at Preserve
The Preserve does not officially open until May 1st, so it was a treat to be the first non-staff members to preview this incredibly fun and challenging layout with breathtaking views. The track is so new (and not ready for the general public) that it was only last Friday when holes were cut for the first time into greens running so slow that they wouldn’t have registered on the stimpmeter.
Just hanging out on the third tee and taking in the view!
As you can see in the top photo, I was teeing off a lie board, which was required, because, as I’ve said, the track isn’t completely finished. However, with the exception of the carpet-like greens, it sure seemed like it was ready for the grand opening!
At first I was very skeptical and freaking out a bit over the concept of teeing off these fitting instruments (especially since I don’t think I’d ever even used one before), but after a few holes, I got used to it (and trusted I wasn’t going to shank or top the ball). What’s more, I realized it was nearly impossible for me to miss a shot from one of these boards. Don’t ask me why or how because I can’t explain it articulately, but I’ll get the answer from one of the pros or experts today.
No. 2 at Preserve
It’s been an incredible experience so far and I wish I had five more days, so I could try out all the courses here at least once. We’re lucky enough to peg it at Bandon Trails today.
I really, really can’t wait for my next trip to Bandon (hopefully that will be very soon) because I’d like to play Old Macdonald Golf Links, the fourth course at Bandon Dunes, which pays homage to golf course architect C.B. Macdonald by asking one simple question, according to the website:
What would Macdonald have created had the Oregon Coast been his canvas?
Inspired by Macdonald’s iconic work, course architects Tom Doak and Jim Urbina have crafted a course that seeks the answer upon vast greens, among myriad angles of play, and from the depths of fierce bunkers. By celebrating these classic concepts of design, we honor the traditions of this game we love.
The Bunker
I was already a big fan of Mike Keiser — and pardon by ignorance — but I didn’t know this before I read it on the Bandon Dunes website a few days ago:
The fourth course opened in June 2010, and it came from special inspiration. Of all the incredible tracks around the world Mike has had the opportunity to play, his favorite remains National Golf Links on Long Island. Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, the course opened in 1911 and ushered in the Golden Age of Golf Architecture in the U.S. One question burned inside Mike Keiser: What would his favorite golf course architect have done with the pristine land at Bandon Dunes? Mike asked Tom Doak and Jim Urbina to return, this time to work the sand north of Pacific Dunes and design a course in the tradition of C.B. Macdonald’s masterpiece at National Golf Links.
As any of my longtime readers know, NGLA is my FAVORITE course, and I’m not a course design expert, but Seth Raynor (the mastermind who conceived Yale GC), MacDonald’s protege, is my FAVORITE architect.
Good news is I have to start planning my next trip back and I can also look forward to the opportunity to play Old MacDonald. First things first, though, big match tomorrow. I’m playing with TaylorMade EVP Sean Toulon, PGATour.com’s Mike McAllister, and luminary radio host Brian Katrek. I have dibs on Katrek as my partner.
Finally, here’s a group shot of our threesome on Monday…
From left to right: Patrick Tuttle of GEAR PATROL, Mike Fox of TaylorMade (the Putters & Wedges guru), and me.
Oh yeah, how did I play? I was really happy with my ballstriking (I think I only missed two greens if you count the fringe). I felt better about it than I have in a long time, thanks to Mr. Flick for helping me find my tempo after just a 3-minute pep talk/mini lesson and advice.
It is actually very difficult to see the Macdonald/Raynor influences on Old Mac unless someone is pointing them out. Vague resemblance at best. I understood that Urbina designed it guessing our CB Macdonald might have designed it if he had that particular landscape with with to work.
Our golf buddy road trip group ranks the Bandon course by how long we would drive to play them:
Pacific Dunes – 9 hours
Old Mac – 5 hours
Bandon Dunes – 5 hours
Bandon Trails – 1 hour
As far as the short course – we can only speculate at this point (probably zero hours, but if we are already there, then what the hell).
Marky, I think those times would be more amusing if they were based not on car-ride, but on goat back. Can you imagine? “I traveled 9 hours on a slender billy goat to play Pacific Dunes”.
The Preserve is a fantastic track and should find rank as the #1 golf course we have never played, and this says a bit since there are likely many amazing golf courses on that list. I know it does for me! The thought behind it, the site location/terrain/vistas, and fact that you can play with 3-4 clubs. Makes it possible to easily carry a few beers too!
Thanks for the great write up, Wie.
Akbarioso, I know it’s a very common error, but you really should learn the right Wei to spell her name.
Epic fail. Thanks for the correction there…
Speaking of goats, there is an oceanfront goat track just to the north of the property called Sheep Ranch which is also owned by Kaiser. He says he will propbably develop this as well some day. Maybe Ms. Wei can snoop around and get us a time line at that one, as well as this Bandon Muni they keep talking about.
Perhaps someday I will be able to afford $1000 on a weekend golf trip. But as the same amount of money could get me a weekend in Europe, that probably wont happen any time soon. Sounds like fun though! #jealousresearcher
(and I can’t even afford the 1k to go to Europe)
Mmmmmm….sheep ranch…..
I played 36 at Meadow Hills in Aurora Co Sunday. Probably not as awesome.
It sounds like you haven’t yet read Dream Golf by Stephen Goodwin. It’s all about Kaiser and building Bandon Dunes. It’s a bit uneven in spots but still a fascinating read.
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Golf-Making-Revised-Expanded/dp/1565129814/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335361906&sr=1-1
Bandon has been on my wish list for a long time. So I’m enjoying your photos.
Why do you keep calling this “golfing mecca” in all your posts?
That term needs to be earned, the marketing people can’t just declare it so.
And you SERIOUSLY put it ahead of St. Andrews? C’mon now son.
Even if more than one “mecca” made sense, some random 13-hole course in the middle of Oregon doesn’t qualify, no matter how pretty it is.
@maxfisher – obviously the 13-holer is not what makes Bandon “a golf mecca” (notice the absense of a definitive article, as in “The Mecca of Golf or whatever).
The Pacific Dunes layout, IMO, is just a microscopic fraction below the Old course at St. Andrews. The Old Mac and Bandon Dunes courses are actually a bit better than the New and Jubilee courses at St. Andrews. Bandon, as a destination, is in the same league as St. Andrews. If Bandon had true springy linksland turf, I might place it ahead of St. Andrews.
There’s only one mecca, having more than one defeats the purpose of the analogy.
Also, there’s TONS of better designs that St. Andrews, I’m sure. But it’s the history that makes it THE golf destination. I don’t see how you can say you’d put Bandon courses ahead of it with a straight face to be honest. This place isn’t even open yet? I’m not saying it’s not gorgeous but are we not getting carried away?
Hi maxfisher, you are not following things here. Bandon has four courses. It is only the short 13-hole course that is not open yet. If you haven’t heard of the other courses at Bandon, you are about a decade behind the times. Also, I was comparing a couple of the Bandon courses to the other courses at St. Andrews. As you are probably not aware, the Old Course is only one of about half a dozen operated by the St. Andrews Trust. In fact, sharing the same linksland as the Old Course, are three other full-length 18 hole courses. Do some internet research to get up to speed on what is going on so that you can understand my comparisons. If you take all the St. Andrews courses and compare them against all the Bandon courses, on average, it is a fair fight in my opinion. The Old Course is probably at the top of most golfers bucket list – but that is because of the novelty factor of playing something so visually iconic.
And, you are a bit hung up on the word ‘mecca’ demanding that it fit a literally accurate analogy. It is okay to use the word loosely to say that a place is the destination of a pilgrimage. Many golfers plan to make a pilgrimage to Bandon someday, so the word is appropriate.
you look so pretty!! we like your outfit!
I’ve been working with Mr. Flick for five years now. I completely understand the five minute lesson. He sees things that no one else does. Amazing. Now he has my wife under his spell!
This is why it pays to live in Oregon. Go off-season, pay $75 greens fees (the weather is almost as fickle during the summer down on the dunes anyway – though warmer). Drive a few hours and stay a weekend, and you’ll spend well less than $500.