We just got back, and we all had a great time as expected. I enjoyed both Pacific and Bandon even more than I remembered, and I thought Trails was a great addition as well (though everyone in our group put it at 3rd best.)
We started with an evening at the Sheep Ranch. It was in much more refined condition than I expected, though obviously not quite in real golf course shape. We were the only 4 on the property, and we had a great time.
Day 1 at the resort was a 54 hole day - Bandon Dunes followed by 2 rounds at Pacific Dunes. Day 2 was our easy day - 36 at Trails. Day 3 was 54 more - Pacific, Bandon, Pacific.
The last time I went, I remember being in much more pain when I left. This time, I was actually feeling pretty good when we walked off the course the last evening. In fact, I posted a 41 on the back nine of my final round at Pacific, which was my best nine of the trip (I'm a 14 index, though probably a bit higher after this trip!) I could have done one more day of 36, though a final 54 would have probably done me in.
As for 10 rounds at the 3 courses, I think I'd split mine up 5 at Pac, 3 at Bandon, and 2 at Trails. In terms of how much I like the courses, I'd probably go 6-3-1 or 5-4-1, but I like the idea of playing Trails more than once if I'm out there again.
I thought the course was in great shape considering the official opening was only 3 weeks ago. I enjoyed holes 1-5, and thought it was a great opening stretch. I was a little disappointed with the wooded sequence, just relative to my expectations. All in all, I thought it was a great course. It would be a nice flagship course at just about any resort, and in my mind it makes for a fabulous 3rd choice. There's just nothing there (or anywhere that I've played) that can stand up to the 10-14 stretch at Pacific, or the 4-6 stretch at Bandon.
As for booking the trip, we booked June 2005 in September 2004. We were able to get the 6:30 tee times (which were the first of the day) that far in advance. I'd guess that demand would be less in June 2006 than in 2005 (due to the new course opening) but who knows. If you are already certain that you are going, then there is no harm in booking well in advance.