Bandon Dunes Caddies

« **on:** August 20, 2007, 10:57:12 AM »

Hi all,

I am only a few weeks away now from my first trip to Bandon since the Grand Opening. My friends and I will definitely want caddies to help us around the course. Any advice on whom we should request?

Dave

« **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:00:04 AM »

Sasha. Period. Thank me later.

« **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:04:43 AM »

Quote from: Mike Wagner on August 20, 2007, 11:00:04 AM

Sasha. Period. Thank me later.

Mike, you beat me to it! Sasha.

I had a great young caddie there last summer, knickname I think "Tav," as in "McTavish" but he is probabably headed back to University of Oregon where he was a freshman last year.

The caddies have improved so much over the past 5 years it's hard to believe. I think if you ask for an experienced caddie you won't go wrong.

« **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:15:01 AM »

If Sasha is not available, I highly recommend Aaron Moreno (Bones). Aaron made it to the 2nd stage US Open qualifying this year so he is a stick. He not only guides you well tee to green but also is great at reading putts. He works hard and is pretty entertaining once he opens up a bit.

« **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:27:14 AM »

Do you want a good caddy, or an average caddy that far too many lonely men think is WAY better looking than she actually is?

Besides, last rumor I heard was that she is unrequestable unless she knows you or has looped for you before...I am sure Joe Bentham can correct me if that was an incorrect rumor.

Perhaps you could share some information about what kind of caddy you like - some people like the quiet but sage type, others like the loud and flashy type, and others want a storyteller.

I had a guy named Elwood who some people would probably love - nice guy, talkative, claims to have caddied for the Bandon Dunes course record, but just not really my style.

« **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:53:52 AM »

I made the caddie divorce after the first day of the trip, which seemed to cause quite a stir. I wasn't trying to cause any trouble, I just want to switch things up. In any case, the new caddie that they gave me was Mike (I don't remember his last name, but he was a dead ringer for William Shatner). He was relative new, but got the job done. I was pleased that he really wanted to see me shoot a good score out there (and if it weren't for the 13th at PD, I would've). He was living and dying with each stroke. I'd recommend him if he's still out there now that he's got another season under his belt.

« **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:23:21 PM »

What do the caddies out at Bandon make? Seems like most of them would do ok considering they do 36 a bunch.

Pat

« **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:29:32 PM »

Quote from: Pat Craig on August 20, 2007, 12:23:21 PM

What do the caddies out at Bandon make? Seems like most of them would do ok considering they do 36 a bunch.

I played a round recently w/ a kid who spent last summer caddying at Bandon. He carried doubles for 36 holes a day and made $75 per golfer per round - $300 day! Those are good tips

That's more than 10 times what I made the one summer I caddied as a kid at Inverness GC near Chicago.

« **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:33:56 PM »

David,

Unless you are being comped for your golf I would skip the caddies. The courses are layed out in a manner that any well traveled individual such as yourself will know where to hit the ball. There is not a quirk on the property. I wish I had not wasted my money on caddies and just taken the push cart. Worst $300 I ever spent over 3 days.

The smart money piggy backs off a playing partners caddie anyway...Just be sure to give the kid a few bucks for his extra effort.

« **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:41:28 PM »

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with this, but I concur with John. No offense to Joe Bentham (who I gather IS a caddie up there) but after my first trip I have never taken a caddie since, and have never had any regrets. Oh, I won't go far as JK does in his inimitable style as to say "there is not a quirk on the property" - I found plenty of quirk. But I also never felt I needed a caddie anywhere. One certainly can get around just fine - I know I did. And yes, piggybacking off of someone else's caddie is very fair, so long as you do throw in a few bucks at the end, as John says.

If you have to have a caddie for whatever reason, I can't see the worth of taking more than one per group. The push/pull carts do work darn well.

TH

« **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2007, 01:57:02 PM »

Joe is a caddy and a very good one. He's been my caddy both times I've been out there and I plan on asking for him again.

« **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:09:26 PM »

John,

The thread is asking for recommendations on caddies, not a recommendation on taking a caddy. For those of you who responded that you don't need one, great. I'm a well versed player and I don't take a caddy to read my putts or club me - I can take care of that. It's for the experience and playing 36 a day it's nice to have someone carrying your bag. I can't stand cheap guys giving their opinion and potentially taking away from someone's experience and also taking money from a kid whose willing to put up with your sh*&!

...and as for Don Juan who comment (Ryan S) We all know a 2 in a bar is not bad for a golf course. Have fun with the comment and get over yourself!

« **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:20:09 PM »

Mike,

Wigler is a friend of mine who can either take my advice or leave it. I am a Par Club member who takes many a caddie a year and have even been known to bring my own.

To bring this to architecture being that is where it should be...Please name a shot at the Bandon Resort where a caddie is beneficial if the player owns a rangefinder. I do not own a rangefinder because I am a professionally trained engineer with an amazing eye...but just in case a layman does.

« **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:27:06 PM »

John,

Got it - different context if he's a buddy. As far as the architectural comment - wow that's a deep one. (Let's not get into slinging).

I love the place, think it's an architectural treasure, and will go as far to say it's the best 36 hole tandem (won't include Trails) in the nation. I should probably start another thread on it...

Glad you're a Par Club member - Evans is a fantastic organization.

« **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:27:32 PM »

Mike,

If Mike Keiser cares no more about protecting his caddies then allowing pull carts at such a low fee why do you feel the need to protect them. The fee structure promotes the dissing of caddies.

« **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:28:22 PM »

Mike - Dave is a friend of mine also, and as JK says, can take this or leave it.

The rest you can hash out with JK.

« **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:31:13 PM »

Quote from: Mike Wagner on August 20, 2007, 02:27:06 PM

John,

Got it - different context if he's a buddy. As far as the architectural comment - wow that's a deep one. (Let's not get into slinging).

I love the place, think it's an architectural treasure, and will go as far to say it's the best 36 hole tandem (won't include Trails) in the nation. I should probably start another thread on it...

Glad you're a Par Club member - Evans is a fantastic organization.

Mike,

Feel free to start a new thread about where caddies are needed at Bandon giving modern distance measuring technology. I would love to see a newbie hit a home run with a new thread.

« **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2007, 02:41:34 PM »

John,

You misunderstand my comment. I say do whatever you want - the thread was simply asking for a recommendation on particluar caddies, not whether or not to take one.

« **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2007, 03:09:11 PM »

FWIW, a friend of mine, recommended an ex UW Badger Gymnastics coach who is retired out in Bandon now, and is said to be a fine caddie. His name is Pete Bauer. Of course Wiggles might get into a rather distracting Wolverine-Badger side rivalry...

« **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2007, 03:45:11 PM »

Thanks for the help. You guys are the best. One of my buddies has an old injury from College Baseball. He will definitely need a caddie. Those of you who have played with me know I never shut up, so I always consider a caddie a worthwhile investment if for no other reason then since I am paying them, they rarely ask if I would stop talking

. As well, I have been a par club member for years and take a lot of pride in my home clubs Caddie program. I always try to support them when they exist. I have put in my requests. I cannot wait.

PS - We may have some times that we have paid for and cannot use on Bandon Trails on Tuesday 9/11 at 8:00a. If anyone is in the area and wants to play for free, either reply to this thread or send me an IM.

Dave

« **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2007, 03:50:49 PM »

I have only had caddies a few times. I think a strokesaver and a trolly is all anyone needs on any of the courses.

« **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2007, 03:53:48 PM »

Makes sense, Dave. Unfortunately I have no concrete advice in the way of who to ask for - the ones we had were all fine enough. It might be a kick to ask for Joe Bentham though given he does participate here.

And dammit why don't I live in Southern Oregon?

« **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2007, 10:49:58 PM »

Tom,

It is too bad. I just qualified for my clubs match play (38 players 5.x index or lower for 11 spots). I might even be able to stretch you to 15 holes before getting my butt kicked.

Dave

« **Reply #23 on:** August 20, 2007, 10:59:35 PM »

Hell Wigs, most of the time you ought to et extra strokes just for the group you play with!

Cheers!

JT

« **Reply #24 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:24:13 PM »

Sasha is a chick? Most Sasha's, at least those in the NBA are dudes.

This thread is worthless without pictures.

News:

David Wigler

Mike Wagner

Bill_McBride

Jason Topp

rjsimper

Jim Colton

PCCraig

Richard Boult

John Kavanaugh

Tom Huckaby

Chris Kurzner

Mike Wagner

John Kavanaugh

Mike Wagner

John Kavanaugh

Tom Huckaby

John Kavanaugh

Mike Wagner

RJ_Daley

David Wigler

Tiger_Bernhardt

Tom Huckaby

David Wigler

Jim Thompson

John_Conley

An Error Has Occurred!