Travel
in from the Pacifi c almost daily, its technical
term is ‘marine layer’, reducing visibility
to a point where you just cannot be certain
where your ball has ended up. Imagine,
you can hear the Pacifi c’s crashing waves,
but not see them! Most golfers just wait
it out and resume the round when the fog
dissipates. Yes, if the fog were to stay for
some time, it could kill your round.
Off the course, Bandon Dunes offers
outstanding service, with a smile and a
‘Yes’ at every step from all the staff, and
attention to detail at every turn. I loved
my enormous burger, yummy fries and
the local ale at friendly McKee’s Pub after
our round. Bandon also offers a variety
of lodging options, that vary in cost by
season, from a low of $100 per person per
night for the simplest accommodation to a
high of $800, with an average around $150;
we stayed at Chrome Lake, a cluster of
spacious, comfortable 2-bedroom chalets
built amidst a veritable forest. The resort
also has a Massage Center.
Keiser preferred the
minimalist look, had
no interest in adding
homesites or providing
golf carts, and wanted
to spoil his guests with
a place that valued
and emphasized golf’s
history and traditions.
The cost of a round of golf also varies
by season, but averages around $200 per
resort guest per round. Non-resort guests
pay a little more.
Whether you want to work on your
game or not, you just have to take in the
spectacular Teaching Academy. Spread
over a gargantuan 50 acres of land, the
Academy has the usual driving range and
chipping areas, but also includes Shorty’s,
a little 9-hole pitch-and-putt course, and
Punchbowl, an enormous 2-acre putting
green that includes an 18-hole ‘course’
which uses the natural hollows, and where
one can drink your beer while placing a
wager on your putts!
According to the experts, Bandon
Dunes is best to score on, and offers
gorgeous oceanfront holes. Pacifi c Dunes
is the most spectacular, with a few unique
holes that could take some getting used to.
Bandon Trails is the most pleasant walk
and is shielded the best from the wind,
all within a gorgeous forested setting.
And Old MacDonald is the longest and
architecturally the most interesting of the
four courses, but lacks a view of the ocean.
The next time you visit the west coast
of America and feel the urge to immerse
yourself playing golf on quality courses,
go to Bandon Dunes! Not only is Oregon
a state worth visiting, the Links golf
experience at Bandon will stay with you
forever.
GolfPlus
JULY
2017
67