What Bandon Course

[Anthony Gray]

 is best suited for a major?

   Anthony

[PCCraig]

 is best suited for a major?

   Anthony

Probably Bandon Crossings

[Alex Miller]

Besides the golf courses themselves, have you ever been to Bandon?

Now imagine trying to get 200,000 people to Bandon.


As for the courses it seems Old Mac or Bandon Trails, but it'll never happen. And then I guess Old Mac would be the favorite since there is more room for the gallery which wouldn't be able to get there. 

[Matt_Ward]

Could be either Old Mac or the original 18.

Anyone in the gallery who can go through the long pilgrimage to get there should then get a free round for showing up.

[Tim Bert]

The original course stretched to the never played tips. Grow back the gorse, narrow those fairways, grow up some rough, and dig a pond or two and there wouldn't be much else that needs to be done!!

[Pete_Pittock]

Logistically, Bandon Dunes with the positions of the 1st and 10th tees works better. They'd really need to toughen up the par 5s or drop it to a par 70. But I think Old Macdonald would be a better test. Either would be good for spectating. Trails would also work exceot for a long wait on 14.

[Mac Plumart]

I thought they were hosting two majors.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/golf/2009/06/two_usga_championships_awarded.html

[jeffwarne]

Logistically, Bandon Dunes with the positions of the 1st and 10th tees works better. They'd really need to toughen up the par 5s or drop it to a par 70. But I think Old Macdonald would be a better test. Either would be good for spectating. Trails would also work exceot for a long wait on 14.

All of them.
The sooner we get the USGA or PGA to realize that a great course(as is!) is a great place for a major, the better off we'll all be.
Why would a easy par 5 be less of a "test" than a long par 4?
The nonsense about course prep and setup that goes on for months, if not years for majors is ridiculous.
If 156 pros descended on Bandon in June by suprise, would we get any less worthy of a winner than we get every year?

[Anthony Gray]

  I'm thinking Pac has 5 par 3s,Trails has too much elevation change,Old Mac is a "replica",so it has to be the original course.And it will happen one day I believe.Look where they hold some of the British Opens as far as logistics.

    Anthony

[Alex Miller]

  I'm thinking Pac has 5 par 3s,Trails has too much elevation change,Old Mac is a "replica",so it has to be the original course.And it will happen one day I believe.Look where they hold some of the British Opens as far as logistics.

    Anthony

Anthony, while I have not been there, isn't saying Old Mac is a replica like saying ANGC is based on St. Andrews. The degree to which both those statements are true can be questioned, and it still has no impact on their ability to host a major championship. I'd give the nod to Old Mac over BD if we are talking 50 years down the road.

[Anthony Gray]

  I'm thinking Pac has 5 par 3s,Trails has too much elevation change,Old Mac is a "replica",so it has to be the original course.And it will happen one day I believe.Look where they hold some of the British Opens as far as logistics.

    Anthony

Anthony, while I have not been there, isn't saying Old Mac is a replica like saying ANGC is based on St. Andrews. The degree to which both those statements are true can be questioned, and it still has no impact on their ability to host a major championship. I'd give the nod to Old Mac over BD if we are talking 50 years down the road.

  It would be nice to see one no matter the course......Ryder Cup even.
 
  Anthony

[David Botimer]

 is best suited for a major?

   Anthony

Probably Bandon Crossings

Don't be silly.  BC has far more logistical issues than any of the BDGR courses with its lack of entry / exit points, plus poor transition internally with the north nine / south nine.

[Ronald Montesano]

Alex,

With respect, the comparison is weak.  Augusta had the spirit of St. A, whereas EIEIO is much more of a successful imitation (gasp) in the best sense of the word.

[David Botimer]

The question is a moot point.  The USGA currently does not even contest US Amateurs on non US-Open worthy courses, hence this years contest at Chambers Bay 5 years prior to the US Open.  Until they change that policy (I haven't heard of that publicly), the US Open will not be awarded to BDGR.  As for the PGA, I seriously doubt they would put BDGR on their radar for the obvious logistical issues (hotel space / distance from major city).

To the question which course could challenge the pro's, all of them would provide a stern test, but their preoccupation with yardage would probably limit them to Old Mac and Bandon Dunes.  Pac can't get past 6,900 and Trails the same. Old Mac at 7,000 / par 71 and Bandon over 7,200 / par 72 are both sufficient tests for the pro's with Bandon summer weather.

Having said all that, I'd REALLY like to see Tiger and the boys play the finishing stretch at Trails.  My hunch is they'd be sufficiently challenged, and with 3 played as a par 4 / total par 70 it may be the best test of all of them.

[Alex Miller]

David,

Sounds like we are close to the same page.


Tricks O'Hooligan,

The comparison may not be the strongest, but the point was that just because a course in inspired by another (architect or course) doesn't make it incapable of holding a major championship.

[PCCraig]

 is best suited for a major?

   Anthony

Probably Bandon Crossings

Don't be silly.  BC has far more logistical issues than any of the BDGR courses with its lack of entry / exit points, plus poor transition internally with the north nine / south nine.

David:

I was joking But my point was that Bandon Crossings has just as much chance to see a Men's "Major" as the resort courses...as in zero. Of course there is nothing wrong with that.

In all reality I would love to see the US Am brought there once every decade. How cool would it be watching those guys play match play on OM? If the Ryder Cup was ever played there I can only imagine the Pro's complaining. 

[jonathan_becker]

Anthony,

With you mentioning the Ryder Cup, in my dreams I think it would be sweet if the U.S. would just alternate venues between Old Mac and Kiawah. 

[Terry Lavin]

Of the four, I'd think that Old MacDonald has the best tournament bones, although Bandon Trails strikes me as the most difficult course of the four, which might point in that direction. 

[David Botimer]

David:

I was joking But my point was that Bandon Crossings has just as much chance to see a Men's "Major" as the resort courses...as in zero. Of course there is nothing wrong with that.

In all reality I would love to see the US Am brought there once every decade. How cool would it be watching those guys play match play on OM? If the Ryder Cup was ever played there I can only imagine the Pro's complaining. 

Pat

Agreed.  I'm one of about 15-20 resort caddies who get a seasonal (summer) membership at Crossings, so rest assured, I'm a huge fan of the course.  It's a very good test, although I'm not sure it stretches out to the yardage any governing body would be looking for.