I get an email every now and again from GolfConstructionNews.com
Here is the body from one I got today...note the red text at the bottom....Bally Bandon? Anyone heard of it? A a course build using 1920s drawings of a course never built on the East Coast w/ Doak contributing.
Something doesn't sound right about this
Anyone heard about this?
In September '09, work was continuing on the Tom Doak-designed fourth GC here, called Old MacDonald GC (a nod to C.B. MacDonald). Assisting Doak on the design is associate, Jim Urbina. Also in late September '09, it was learned that plans are underway for a 12-hole par-3 layout. Resort owner Mike Keiser hired Coore-Crenshaw (512-477-5441) for the short course, which will be routed atop dunes starting near the first tee of Coore-Crenshaw's Bandon Trails 18. Depending on the architects' schedule, work on the par-3 track could commence in 2011 and be completed in 2012. The resort is taking reservations for limited (10-hole) preview play at Old MacDonald from April 1 to October 1, 2009 for $110. Initially, only 32 players a day will be allowed on the GC. If all goes well, the 7,100-yard GC will open in June 2010. The 250-acre site is inland, and to the north and east of Pacific Dunes. Doak and Urbina are collaborating on ! the GC with various golf architectural aficionados, including George Bahto, author of a book about Macdonald's life. The greens will range in size from 8,000-sf to 20,000-sf. Resort owner Mike Keiser has continued to acquire neighboring land, more than 500 acres in all, for possible future GCs. In addition to the Old MacDonald GC, the resort also intends to build 50-75 new guest rooms nearby, bringing the total of guest accommodations to over 300. Here's more background: In April '06, a par-3 nine called "Wee Dunes" designed by David McLay Kidd opened for play near the practice facility. On June 1, '05, work finished up on the par-71 6,849-yard Bandon Trails and its own clubhouse. Long-range plans include two mixed-use village centers with 150 overnight units and a cultural/visitor facility. Keiser has approval for 300 SF HUs, but there is no timeline for developing those. The latest 925-acre expansion was approved by Coos County commissioners in December '02.
In addition to the or! iginal Bandon Dunes GC and Pacific Dunes, there's also Bally Bandon GC, which was designed from 1920s drawings of a never-built GC on the East Coast, with Doak contributing. That GC is private with limited public play.