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[Kalen Braley]

5.3 Magnatude earthquake this morning just west of Bandon... http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/moderate_quake_strikes_off_ore_1.html ...doesn't look like a tsunami will wipe out the oceanside holes...I can't wait to get there on Saturday, Bandon Crossings on the drive-in day, USE a buggy, save the legs for daily doubles on the main entree...Lot's of good advice so far...I'd add Salmon Hash for breakfast and Meatloaf for dinner one night...Drink Oregon beers when in Beervana!

Jim,

You got the Beervana part right...let me know if you want some recommendations, although I'm guessing the resort selection will be limited. 

[Kevin Pallier]

Big Tip: Make sure your camera battery is fully charged and your memory cards are empty. There's some cool pics to be had at all 4 courses.

[Greg Boring]

Played my first round today at Pacific Dunes.  We were very lucky by the fact that it rained most of the day except for the time we were on the golf course.  However the wind was anything like I have ever seen before.  Sustained winds of 45 mph was the norm with gusts above 55.  And honestly I have never had that much fun playing golf.  Manufacturing shots throughout the golf course was magical.  I hit several 110 yard 7 irons.  I recieved great advise from putting from off the green.  I dont play much so my short game benefitted from being able to utilize the putter from off the green.  I get to experience Bandon Dunes tomorrow.   I will elaborate more when I get more time. 

 

[Dan Herrmann]

Greg,
Let us know how #15 played into the wind!

(PS - The back 17th tee at BD is one of my favorite golf locations in the world)

[Jud Tigerman]

Greg,

have fun! sounds like the winds we had at Turnberry...It is a load of fun, in a survival of the elements kind of way....

[Mike Demetriou]

Ben, the To-Do list below qualifies in my mind as one of the all-time greatest posts on GCA. Has there ever been a thread ranking the 10 or so best posts on GCA? [Caveat, I've only been here for three years...]

Greg,

1) Listen to your caddies
2) Hit a ball into the ocean on 16 tee at Bandon Dunes
3) Drink three different kinds of Scotch, slowly, outside in the elements if they'll let you take the glass outside
4) Stare at 15 green at Bandon Trails and chuckle at why everyone loves C&C so much
5) Stare at the tee shot on 6 at Pacific Dunes and chuckle at why everyone loves Renaissance Golf so much.
6) Find way to get over to the Sheep Ranch.  Spend four hours hitting the ball around, having a beer or two, and visiting with friends.  And God please don't keep a score!
7) Play the preview at Old Mac, and smile for two hours straight. 
Eat the meatloaf
9) Hit shiny white Titleist NXT Tour balls at the range.  Wish that your local course had a practice area as good as Bandon's.
10) Have a few too many, and at midnight, walk down 18 and 17 to the 16th green at Bandon Dunes and go scream at the ocean and the wind.  Realize how powerless you really are in the face of that incomprehensibly big ocean.

But if you do none of those things.  Do this one.  Enjoy every moment.  There is no place on earth like it.

[Jud Tigerman]

Mike,

3 years and 55 posts?! That equals 1 post every 477.8 hours....

[Greg Boring]

Dan,

Lets just say on the 12th hole I hit driver, pw over the green in two. I believe it played 529 yards from the Black Tees.  On 15 I hit a good drive, decent hybrid, another decent hybrid and a 9 iron punch shot from 100 yards.  15 played 539 from the Black tees.  I have never seen wind become that much of a factor before.  Closest thing I have ever seen is the Ocean Course at Kiawah. 

[Ross Waldorf]

Greg:

Sounds like an interesting day! I think as long as people have more than two or three rounds in Bandon, then a crazy wind day is really fun because it's so different than what most of us are used to. Actually, we get those with some regularity at Rustic Canyon, but not usually the 45 mph kind. I remember an afternoon at Bandon Dunes where we got to the 6th tee (which was about 155 that day) and I said to myself, "this looks like a knock-down three wood . . ." That's just fun.

Also, what did you think of Pacific Dunes 15? I always felt that was an underrated hole -- in fact it's actually a favorite of mine. There's just something about that hole that I always enjoy -- probably a lot of it has to do with the fact that I really like that severe mound at the front right of the green. It's a great feature. Also, I two-putted from about 75 yards there once, so I have positive memories. Having said that, I've certainly had my share of watching more than one green-bound shot leak unfortunately right and then pinball off that fricken thing.

Great golf course.
R