Bandon Tweeks

[Eric Johnson]

Just remember that I am the true champion here!


Best,
Tom

?!?!?!?!?!

I'm speechless...

[Mark Arata]

I still think that the walk from Bandon Trails 13 to 14 is a piece of cake compared to the Baatan death march that is the walk from 11 to 12 at Crystal Downs.........

[John Kavanaugh]

The new 14th green reminds me of Meg Ryan's lips.  Remembering what once was is essential to the experience.  Why people take advice from budinskies with so little invested is beyon me.

[John Kirk]

I only play ping pong about once a year these days; it's tough feeling responsible for disappointing my opponents over and over again...If you find someone with comparable ability, ping pong is as good as it gets.  I prefer it to golf, but it requires a killer instinct, which I like to hide from the world for the most part.

What the hell is a mango ball?  If it's just a yellow ball, fine, but one should always use one of those good balls which has 2 or 3 stars on it.

The whole concept of tweaking these courses seems dicey.  They're all such worthy courses to begin with.  I will say this: both #6 and #16 at Bandon Dunes were really difficult in certain wind conditions before they were altered.  #6 in particular, was almost impossible into a summer afternoon wind.  They added quite a bit of grass short and right to accommodate misses.

[Tom_Doak]

John:

I think that most of the "tweaks" which have been done on the courses were done for pace-of-play reasons more than shot-values reasons.  Of course the two are inter-related ... if nobody can get their ball up on the green, it's hard, and it slows down play too!

[Kalen Braley]

John,

A mango ball as I understand it is yellow as well.  No problem though, thats my preference.    So we need to make this happen, and don't worry about crushing me....I haven't been taunted like that since I was about 14 and the growth started kicking in.  

I guess I need to start going back to the club on Friday nights...many of the best players in Utah go there and I get a good humbling/pounding/education.

[Kalen Braley]

Tom,

What is the biggest tweak PD has had since it opened a few years back?

[Tom_Doak]

Kalen:

We really haven't changed anything on Pacific Dunes, other than trying to keep sand in a few of the "problem" bunkers which keep blowing down to sandstone.  We've done the greenside bunker on #18 three times and it just keeps getting scoured out.

Some people remember that the back tee on #1 wasn't there on Opening Day, but that was only because we were waiting to build it until the clubhouse was complete.  When the clubhouse was shelved, we went ahead and built it that first fall.  Oh, we also had to make the 14th tee bigger, it was way too small to start with.

At some point, we will need to go back and rebuild the green on the 14th.  So much sand has blown up from #13 below that the right side of the green is 6-7 inches higher than when we built it -- so instead of sloping 2% to the right, it slopes 3% to the left from that edge.  In another year or two it will be too steep and we'll have to put it back.

[JohnV]

#6 in particular, was almost impossible into a summer afternoon wind.

When the course first opened, the best way to play #6 in the summer wind was take out driver and hook it over the cliff so you could drop next to the green and then try to get it up and down for 4.  At least now there is a chance.

[Eric_Terhorst]

Question #1: will that leave us enough time/daylight/open golf course to get in a round that day, or should we just figure on a couple of hours of practice and the par-3 course mentioned below?

2:  the flight back to Portland leaves at 11 something in the am?  Does that give us enough time to get in one last round in the am? (I guess this is a pace of play question -- we're fast but if somebody's in front of us are we going to risk missing this little flight?).

#3:  Assuming we play 36 holes on Saturday and Sunday (the event starts on Monday), which course should we play twice?

#4:  Since we haven't been there before, I'm assuming that caddies will be of assistance?

Mark, as a fellow Illinoisan, I think the ideal way to go is: 

Fly into Eugene via San Francisco or Denver.  Arrive in Eugene late the night before you want to play your first round.  Rent a car, and crash in a motel near the airport.  Get up bright and early the next morning, drive ~ 2- 2 1/2 hrs to get to Bandon.   You'll be fresh as a daisy for the first afternoon round. 

On the last day I played an early round, then drove to Eugene, caught the last flight back to SFO, then flew overnight back to Chicago, sleeping well all the way.

I found BT difficult to play in any day with two rounds, it's a hike.  But BD and PD can be played twice in combination easily.

Caddies are of assistance.

[Will MacEwen]

Never having been to Bandon, when the Illinois PGA announced a pro-am in late October I signed up a team.  We play tournament rounds on each course, so I figure we'll show up a couple of days early and play at least one practice round on each course.  I have a few questions for those who have experienced Bandon in the past:

I was told that although it's a nice drive from Portland, on our first trip we should get there as quickly as possible (also seems odd to rent a car for a week if you're just going to get to the resort and play golf for 5 or six days, which is undoubtedly what we'll do). If we leave from Chicago on Friday morning, the Horizon Air flight gets in at 3:45 p.m.  Question #1: will that leave us enough time/daylight/open golf course to get in a round that day, or should we just figure on a couple of hours of practice and the par-3 course mentioned below?

2:  the flight back to Portland leaves at 11 something in the am?  Does that give us enough time to get in one last round in the am? (I guess this is a pace of play question -- we're fast but if somebody's in front of us are we going to risk missing this little flight?).


#4:  Since we haven't been there before, I'm assuming that caddies will be of assistance?

My thoughts:  

#1 - If you get in at 3:45 to North Bend, you would probably be at the resort within about 45 minutes.  At that time of year you could probably squeeze in nine.

#2- I don't think you could get an early enough tee time for 18.  

#4 - I have never played with a caddy in my life, and my group always did well navigating the courses without assistance.  If you enjoy a caddy, go for it by all means.  

[Kalen Braley]

Kalen:

We really haven't changed anything on Pacific Dunes, other than trying to keep sand in a few of the "problem" bunkers which keep blowing down to sandstone.  We've done the greenside bunker on #18 three times and it just keeps getting scoured out.

Some people remember that the back tee on #1 wasn't there on Opening Day, but that was only because we were waiting to build it until the clubhouse was complete.  When the clubhouse was shelved, we went ahead and built it that first fall.  Oh, we also had to make the 14th tee bigger, it was way too small to start with.

At some point, we will need to go back and rebuild the green on the 14th.  So much sand has blown up from #13 below that the right side of the green is 6-7 inches higher than when we built it -- so instead of sloping 2% to the right, it slopes 3% to the left from that edge.  In another year or two it will be too steep and we'll have to put it back.

Tom,

Thanks for those comments, its always interesting to hear about how courses evolve over time especially high profile ones that are at the resort.  That greenside bunker on 18 is one of the most unique I ever seen, I'm glad to hear you guys are sticking with it.

As for 14 green, very surprising to hear that the right side is 6-7 inches higher than built.  With the added slope it would also make recovery from that front right side bunker all that more difficult....which by the way is certaintly not a bunker I would ever want to be in.

Are the "hidden" tees scatterd thruought the course ever used or are those reserved for Mike K and Renassiance team outings?   

[Bob Jenkins]

The new 14th green reminds me of Meg Ryan's lips.  Remembering what once was is essential to the experience.  Why people take advice from budinskies with so little invested is beyon me.

All day long I have been trying to figure this one out. Of course, very few of us have seen the new 14th green at BT and so I was interested to see what the group who went last week actually think of it. How could it remind John of Meg Ryan's lips?

[Jeff Doerr]

hey guys.

14th green at Trails?  What's the skinny, was it in play?

Yes the green was in play with the modifications. The green was extended and the drop off area filled in or raised up. It looked like a quilt with the different rectangular sections of turf. It played fast and firm. The hole was not in the new area when we played it on Saturday, February 9.

Bob, I thinlk Scott gave a good picture of the green surrounds. Tom Jefferson coould probably speak best to the details of the "tweeks" that have been made. In the future, a 200 yard shot that ends up just left of the fairway will roll back to a real garden spot for your wedge.

As far a John's Meg Ryan comment - I'm guessing he sees the green as getting collagen injections...a little fuller, but not as sexy as the original. Being around John is a real treat, the Kavanaughisms just keep coming!

[John Kirk]

John,

A mango ball as I understand it is yellow as well.  No problem though, thats my preference.    So we need to make this happen, and don't worry about crushing me....I haven't been taunted like that since I was about 14 and the growth started kicking in.   

I guess I need to start going back to the club on Friday nights...many of the best players in Utah go there and I get a good humbling/pounding/education.

Kalen,

Despite my trash talking, those club guys are likely a lot better than me.  I'm willing to compete.  I remember one time I went to a Christmas party at a home where the family was from Croatia.  I ended up playing the uncle, who had a serve I could not figure out.  He hid the ball, put a little chop on it, and the ball just jumped on the second bounce.  He beat me 21-5 and 21-10 after he lost interest late in the second game.

Wouldn't it be great if somebody like Ian Baker-Finch or Davis Love joined the site, then one day started taunting everybody, saying how bad he would kick their ass?

[Jim Nugent]

Despite my trash talking, those club guys are likely a lot better than me.  I'm willing to compete.  I remember one time I went to a Christmas party at a home where the family was from Croatia.  I ended up playing the uncle, who had a serve I could not figure out.  He hid the ball, put a little chop on it, and the ball just jumped on the second bounce.  He beat me 21-5 and 21-10 after he lost interest late in the second game.

Sounds like an illegal serve.  You have to throw the ball up in the air, imparting no spin with your toss (I believe from a flat hand), on the serve.  You can't hit it out of your hand.

[Kalen Braley]

Jim,

This is true, but the reality is these guys can put insanse spin on the ball anyways.  I've played against a couple of guys where it took me seeing half a dozen serves before I could return one back successfully.

[John Kavanaugh]

I was number one paddle at Northern Illinois University for a time in 1979.  Ping Pong is a game enjoyed by many a golfer but is an athletic sport which my body will no longer allow me to play.  Given that I still think it is important to push for a Ping Pong arena at the resort with proper room and available spectating areas.

After giving some thought to my whiny little bitch about the wine list and having driven to the Portland airport I came up with this idea.  Why not have a Oregon Wine Room where local wineries could set up shop for tastings and purchase with shipping home.  I saw several wineries on my short time in the area and think the resort could set this up with no expense to them while promoting another local industry beyond golf.  I would think the wineries would cover the expense or even pay a fee for the exposure leading to a win/win situation. 

One other question.  Will the resort allow you to bring your own caddie (wife)?  I would see this as no different than bringing your own push cart.

[Garland Bayley]

John,

Most of Oregon's wineries don't need the exposure. I believe what you are proposing would attract the unestablished newcomers.

[John Kavanaugh]

John,

Most of Oregon's wineries don't need the exposure. I believe what you are proposing would attract the unestablished newcomers.

Yes, that is what I would want to see.  The unestablished newcomers.  My palate is not as sophisticated as my wallet.  We had eight guys and four $20 bottles of good wine at dinner would have added to the entertainment value.

[Garland Bayley]

John,

I guess proximity would be one of the biggest problems. Most of the wineries are at the other end of the state. Now Black Mesa winery is in the same town as Black Mesa golf course (all be it at opposite ends of town), that I think would be a good winery to promote at the golf resort.

[Norbert P]

  Will the resort allow you to bring your own caddie (wife)?  I would see this as no different than bringing your own push cart.

 I guess Valentines Day has gotten you all romantic.   "Honey, the shuttle will ruin our lovely Valentine's stroll. Here, let me take that water from you to lighten your load."


I like the change of widening the 14th at B Trails for shorter hits left. Does anybody know what the minimum carry distance is to reach the upper fairway?