Bandon to....Arthur?

[Tim Pitner]

Jim, like Tom Huckaby, I'm also considering an off-season trip to Bandon for next time.  That's why I'm very interested in winter conditions out there.  Here's the link: http://www.ocs.oregonstate.edu/index.html

Click on Climate Data, then click on the coastal region, then check out historical averages for temperatures and precipitation.  

[Mike Erdmann]

Bandon's winter climate isn't nearly as bad as you might think.  Bandon might average 7 inches of rain in February, but what you'll find is that the majority of that rain happens on just a few days of the month when a strong Pacific storm moves through.  If you look at that climate data site, you'll see that nearly 2/3 of the days in February have no rain at all, but a few days have a lot of rain.

The rates are a real bargain during the winter.  The resort makes an effort to attract regional clubs to bring groups of their members down for a few days mid-week at some great rates.  If I recall from last year, it was a total of $350/person for two nights lodging, three rounds of golf and meals.  

With the strong local play from Oregon and Washington during those winter months, it makes Bandon a viable year-round operation.

[Michael Dugger]

I don't know who you know, Mike, but I don't get those deals.

Even in Dec/Jan when the rates bottom out we pay like $90 per round and $110 or so per night double occupancy.

Been paying $110 to $135 to play during April.

Only three years ago it was $55 per round during the dead of winter, for Oregonians, that is.  

Of course, I am a middle class American so that's rich for my blood, but I do understand a great many lesser courses are in that price range and more, so I cannot complain too much.  

I marvel at the cost of golf in Vegas or Monterey

[Dan Smoot]

Matt - yeah, sort of - great golf at a good price.  Of course the principle in Alabama is a little different - linking many courses an hour or two's drive apart - but this is in the ballpark.  And the RTJ Trail is doing pretty well, correct?

Of course to get the home run like Bandon, you're gonna need home run courses like Bandon.  That's the tough trick.  None of the RTJ courses rise to this level, obviously.  

Call the RTJ Trail a legged-out double.  Seems to me there are more triples and home runs to be found in this country, and yours!  It's just gonna take vision and huevos maximos like Mr. Keiser.

TH

I love Bandon and am a very avid golfer.  World Class golf on multiple courses in one place in a great location, good food, links type golf and atmosphere - all in one (the key factors to drawing me).  However, price is very important.  When I went to Bandon for the first time, there was one course and I played in the summer.  It was absolutely the most I have ever payed to play golf.  Thereafter my visits have all been in the off season because I could not justify to the wife the dollar figure for the additional cost.  I don't think I am that different from many others.

As for Nebraska,  I would do the same.  I have played Wildhorse and have drooled over the pictures of Sand Hills.  However, Can the World Class qualities listed above for Bandon be reproduced in Nebraska in an economical sense both for the golfer (affordability) and the golfing operation (reasonable profitability) when there is no way that a location in Nebraska can sustain 12 month coverage that Bandon provides.  I think there lies the problem.  Build it and they will come -- but can an investor make money with it.  I am not sure.

Some might think that Bandon drops off in the off season, but after having been there last December, I was shocked at the number of people there at three courses.  We played each day with someone from outside of Oregon.

[Jim Adkisson]

Dugger, those "stay and play" packages were hyped in the local paper as 2 nights/2 rounds (1st of the day)/2 breakfasts and 1 dinner for $275 - $350 depending on the month between November and February this last winter...

But it was like cashing in airline miles to get into one of those packages on the dates we were trying to get down there so we went VERY cheap...

Bullard's beach yurts, $30 per person for 2 nights, $110 for 1st round/ $55 replays and paid for our pub dinners and dining room breakfasts...cards and less expensive drinks back at camp...in all I figure apx. $ 600 for 5 rounds, "accomodations" for 2 nights, food and bevs.

Tim...thanks for the link...that's my next site to visit.

[Tom_Doak]

It isn't the cost of the golf course that makes a resort course in Nebraska a daunting task.  It's the fact that you have to build lodging which will only be occupied 4-6 months of the year.  It's difficult for that part of it to ever pay off, which is why most of the projects you're seeing are stand-alone courses.

Also, the premise of building three courses side-by-side which are all ranked among the top 100 is a daunting task anywhere, but it has NEVER been done on an inland site.  I've done some pretty good courses both inland and not, but I'm 3-for-3 in the top 100 on oceanfront sites, and 0-for-15 (so far) on inland property, and that's not all because I am dumber when we go inland.