First day in Bandon

[Ryan Admussen]

Played Bandon Dunes first thing this morning, it was perfect weather wise, found it to be the easiest of the three, but looking at the scorecards It has the highest slope/rating while pacific dunes has the lowest, which is opposite of what I found, the highlight of the round for me was hitting sw to within a few feet for birdie on 16.

Played Pacific Dunes for my afternoon round, the weather was great again, little bit of wind and blue skies, the round was painfully slow 4:40 which seemed even slower than that due to the fact it was the first round of the trip over 4,  played the 18th hole in the dark which was interesting.

The jury is still out on which course I like best, I really enjoyed them all for different reasons.

One more round left tomorrow morning, then it's back to reality, already planning next years trip back in my head, can't get enough of this place although my feet beg to differ!

[Ryan Admussen]

Ryan,

A first trip to Bandon is always special.  I assume you course at home is closed or closing and this is a nice dessert on your golf season.  It can be very hard to go from a Bandon trip back to everyday golf - I always have a month long golf hangover upon my return.

Sitting in the Portland airport, already missing Bandon, first time I've planned a return trip before the trip was actually over, going to try and make an annual trip at the very minimum.

[Will MacEwen]

Ryan,

A first trip to Bandon is always special.  I assume you course at home is closed or closing and this is a nice dessert on your golf season.  It can be very hard to go from a Bandon trip back to everyday golf - I always have a month long golf hangover upon my return.

Sitting in the Portland airport, already missing Bandon, first time I've planned a return trip before the trip was actually over, going to try and make an annual trip at the very minimum.

Ryan that is what I do - every March, we missed one year, and I usually have the return trip booked before the current trip has started.  It is too depressing to leave the resort without a firm return on the long horizon.

[Ryan Admussen]

Ryan,

A first trip to Bandon is always special.  I assume you course at home is closed or closing and this is a nice dessert on your golf season.  It can be very hard to go from a Bandon trip back to everyday golf - I always have a month long golf hangover upon my return.

Sitting in the Portland airport, already missing Bandon, first time I've planned a return trip before the trip was actually over, going to try and make an annual trip at the very minimum.

Ryan that is what I do - every March, we missed one year, and I usually have the return trip booked before the current trip has started.  It is too depressing to leave the resort without a firm return on the long horizon.

are you going this march or are you going to wait for Old Macdonald opening?It was hard seeing it and not being able to play when we were there!

[Will MacEwen]

Going this March - we missed last year as the three main participants all added baby daughters into the respective families between December and April.  I have been away for far too long. Missing Old Mac will be tough, but I know I will be back. 

[Rob Rigg]

Ryan,

I felt the same way when I left BDGR earlier this year after my first trip - we had some crazy crazy wind but that just added to the enjoyment in a way that my playing partner didn't quite understand. Looks like you got mostly decent weather, especially for this time of year (which can be hit and miss).

I am thinking about sneaking down in December but a little worried about unplayable conditions so will probably wait for the OM opening in June.

Bandon is just awesome golf - fantastic that you made the trip and really enjoyed yourself.

[Ryan Admussen]

Ryan,

I felt the same way when I left BDGR earlier this year after my first trip - we had some crazy crazy wind but that just added to the enjoyment in a way that my playing partner didn't quite understand. Looks like you got mostly decent weather, especially for this time of year (which can be hit and miss).

I am thinking about sneaking down in December but a little worried about unplayable conditions so will probably wait for the OM opening in June.

Bandon is just awesome golf - fantastic that you made the trip and really enjoyed yourself.

Speaking of crazy wind, I watched the weather in the hotel today and they said they were expecting 70-90 mph winds on the coast today, as for the resort I had extremely high expectations from everything I've read and seen, and they were more than exceeded, I've never went on and on about any course like this, but I just can't say enough!

[David Schofield]

Ryan, where did you stay?  I'm trying to book a trip for next June and can't decide between The Inn, Chrome Lake or Lilly Pond...

[Ryan Admussen]

We(me and my fiance)  stayed at the Inn, mainly for the king size bed, there was a nice jacuzzi tub which was great after the 36 hole days, we had a nice sitting area with comfy chairs overlooking the 18th on Bandon Dunes, it's an easy walk/shuttle ride to anywhere, where ever you decide to stay, but as for the Inn we had no complaints.

[Chris Tritabaugh]

Just finished day number three at Bandon Dunes. Played Trails yesterday, thought it was great. Played Bandon Dunes today, also thought it was great. Then about 3:30 this afternoon while my dad and brother played Shorty's I snuck up the road and walked Old Mac all by myself. No one else was around, just me a pair of flat bottom (easy on the turf) adidas shoes, burning images into my brain. I walked/ran the whole thing and finished on 18 just as it was getting dark. My architectural knowledge base is minute compared to others on this board but even for me it was easy to see why this course is being called the best at BDGR. Maybe one of the best golf links in the world?! As good as Trails and BD were, OM is just another world.

If anyone from the resort reads this please forgive me for my curiosity. I did no damage and left only footprints.   

[Ryan Admussen]

That was my one and only disappointment of the trip.. not being able to play Old Macdonald, oh well already have my return trip planned for next november, let the countdown begin!

[Bill_McBride]

Ryan, where did you stay?  I'm trying to book a trip for next June and can't decide between The Inn, Chrome Lake or Lilly Pond...

Haven't stayed in the Inn, but the rooms in the Chrome Lake and Lily Pond cottages are really nice, large, very attractive, and excellent bathroom facilities.  At the prices charged, they have to be really nice!

[Pete_Pittock]

Weather has been a lot better than the forecasts. Arrived Friday noon, played Pacific, hail on 15th tee, rain through 17, otherwise dry but windy. I missed Bandon Dunes yesterday because of foot issues, but got around Trails today. Secong go round at Pacific tomoorow bwfore headng back home. Rooming with John Vandeborght.
    Pacific Dunes has had some gorse removal on the left hillside by 16 and some mounding right of #12 looks like it had been de-gorsed and hydro-seeded. Bandon Dunes has undergone a lot of gorse removal. Long hitters can challenge the inside of the dogleg on #4, the gorse has been cut back from the edge of the 8th green, also between 11 and 13 in the landing aarea and the bank behind 14.
     On Trails the hilllside left of the 14th green has a lot of undergrowth removal and the bunker on the right side of 16 fairway have had all the brush and gorse taken out and stand alone. Was wondering if any tinkering with the final stretch of Bandon Trails will be done when C&C are working on the par 3 course. Old Macdonald looking a lot more mature. Last walked all 18 in June, so footprints this week shouldn't be an issue.
     As a confirmed snorer I stay in the lofts in Spruce Grove with separate bedrooms.  

[Joe Bentham]

Pete--
How much more tinkering can be done with the final stretch of the Trails?

[Germain Pepin]

Very nice pictures of a very special place. Thanks for sharing.

[Pete_Pittock]

Joe,
I don't know. That is between the resort and C&C. I like what was done on 14 and 16. My point was that with them being on property for the Restoration course, if there was any tinkering to be done, that would be the time to do it.

[Ryan Admussen]

I Didn't know it was possible to miss a golf resort, but do I ever!