Old Macdonald, still creating buzz?

[Matt Gabellieri]

First post. I love the website.

I went to Bandon in 2010 and the buzz surrounding the property was you have to play Old Mac.  I was fortunate enough to play it and absolutely loved it. I can't put it ahead of Pacific Dunes but it's close.  I'm going back to Bandon next summer and was wondering if Old Mac is still creating all the buzz or has it shifted to the Preserve because its the new course in town? I'm not a fan of the rankings publications come out with so what do the GCAer's think? Where is Old Mac now on your list of Bandon Courses? Curious to hear your thoughts.

[Jim Colton]

Matt,

  I put together a little web poll earlier this summer for those who have played all 4 courses. Here was the result with 186 votes:


BD,PD,BT,OM
  4 (2%)
BD,PD,OM,BT
  5 (2%)
BD,BT,PD,OM
  2 (1%)
BD,BT,OM,PD
  1 (0%)
BD,OM,PD,BT
  4 (2%)
BD,OM,BT,PD
  2 (1%)
PD,BD,BT,OM
  6 (3%)
PD,BD,OM,BT
  11 (5%)
PD,BT,BD,OM
  11 (5%)
PD,BT,OM,BD
  20 (10%)
PD,OM,BD,BT
  20 (10%)
PD,OM,BT,BD
  30 (16%)
BT,BD,PD,OM
  3 (1%)
BT,BD,OM,PD
  2 (1%)
BT,PD,BD,OM
  10 (5%)
BT,PD,OM,BD
  14 (7%)
BT,OM,BD,PD
  3 (1%)
BT,OM,PD,BD
  3 (1%)
OM,BD,PD,BT
 3 (1%)
OM,BD,BT,PD
  4 (2%)
OM,PD,BD,BT
  12 (6%)
OM,PD,BT,BD
  11 (5%)
OM,BT,BD,PD
  0 (0%)
OM,BT,PD,BD
  5 (2%)

The poll is here: http://www.hundredholehike.com/blogs/bare-knuckles-bandon-brawl-rank-4-courses-bdgr

[Terry Lavin]

I rather doubt that the Preserve will ever generate enough buzz to overwhelm a golfer's preferential affections for any of the four 18-hole golf courses.  It's more of a breather experience, a late afternoon round for legs and backs that can't contemplate another "full" round on one of the other courses.  It's generating plenty of compliments, from its challenge to its eye candy, but a short course will never, IMHO, overcome the merits of the others.

[Matthew Essig]

I rank preserve above BD.......

[Jud_T]

OK,

Who's the knucklehead that has BD, BT, OM, PD?   

[Will MacEwen]

I rather doubt that the Preserve will ever generate enough buzz to overwhelm a golfer's preferential affections for any of the four 18-hole golf courses.  It's more of a breather experience, a late afternoon round for legs and backs that can't contemplate another "full" round on one of the other courses.  It's generating plenty of compliments, from its challenge to its eye candy, but a short course will never, IMHO, overcome the merits of the others.

It is the best for drinking and accelerated gambling though.  KP on every hole, quick pace.

[JLahrman]

I have only been to Bandon once, but I loved OM. I really would like to visit again and play all the courses with the opposite (summer) wind to see how I like them.

But anyway, when you talk about "buzz" do you mean how much the players like the course, or are you talking about how much publicity the course receives? Two years is awhile for a course to stay in the headlines. Additionally, it's not as if OM is a new endeavor. Bandon was well established and OM just gave golfers one more reason to visit.

Certainly we are seeing less publicity about the course but that's normal.

[Matt Gabellieri]

I am using the word "buzz" as in how much the players like the course. It is so different from all the courses in the US.  It created a lot of talk two years ago because there was really nothing like it, and there still isn't a course like Old Mac in the States today.

[John Kavanaugh]

I am using the word "buzz" as in how much the players like the course. It is so different from all the courses in the US.  It created a lot of talk two years ago because there was really nothing like it, and there still isn't a course like Old Mac in the States today.

Matt,

How is Old Mac different than Ballyneal, NGLA or even a Chambers Bay?  Or just how do you think it is different than anything else in the States today?

[Tim Passalacqua]

Old Mac is awesome.  I just booked my third trip there for next summer.  My friend and I had lengthy discussions on our breakdown of which courses we will play (very important stuff!!!).  3 OM, 2 PD, 1 BD, and 1 BT.  OM is just too fun. We had a late round and spent a half hour on the 18th green putting to that right pin until it was dark...it was a blast.  Holes 3-8 (even 2-8) are one of my favorite stretches in golf.  It might even be better than the back nine of Pasatiempo, but that is a tough call.  I could do a 3 day trip there and play OM everyday along with one of the other courses at the resort.  PD is incredible, but there is something about OM.  Now whenever I think of the resort, OM is the first course I think of.  It still is creating a buzz with my friends and we can't wait to go back.

[Jed Peters]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

OM is a great place to play golf, but it's not a "great" golf course.

For more insight into my rationale, I think that the Olympic Club Lake course is a great golf course, but not a great place to play golf.

[Ronald Montesano]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

OM is a great place to play golf, but it's not a "great" golf course.

For more insight into my rationale, I think that the Olympic Club Lake course is a great golf course, but not a great place to play golf.

I'm glad that this makes sense to you, Jed.

[Tim_Weiman]

Jed,

I have to disagree with you that Olympic is not a great place to play golf. A trip to San Francisco is always something special. I wish I could make it an annual event. As for the club, I have only visited twice, almost twenty years ago now, but I sure remember liking the environment. In sum, I like the whole venue more than the course itself.

As for Bandon and Old Mac for me the reverse is true. I think the golf is better than the entire experience largely because the courses are so good but I would still rather be in Scotland or Ireland.

[John Ezekowitz]

When I was out there in May, the talk in the shuttles was always about Old Mac. This is just some anecdotal evidence, but I think it still has that buzz surrounding it.

[Jed Peters]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

OM is a great place to play golf, but it's not a "great" golf course.

For more insight into my rationale, I think that the Olympic Club Lake course is a great golf course, but not a great place to play golf.

I'm glad that this makes sense to you, Jed.

When you are done with a round on the Lake course, you don't want to immediately head back to the first tee.

Accordingly, when you are done with OM, you want to huff over to the first and give it another shot.

Regarding what makes a good "golf course", that's a discussion for another time.

[Garland Bayley]

OK,

Who's the knucklehead that has BD, BT, OM, PD?   

Clearly that's Barney!

[Jud_T]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

OM is a great place to play golf, but it's not a "great" golf course.

For more insight into my rationale, I think that the Olympic Club Lake course is a great golf course, but not a great place to play golf.

A fine distillation of the inscrutable conundrum of our times...

[Brian Colbert]

My #1 when I go back someday is the sheep ranch.

Just sayin'

[Connor Dougherty]

My #1 when I go back someday is the sheep ranch.

Just sayin'

The two rounds I've played at Sheep Ranch are two of the coolest experiences I've ever had. I have a hard time comparing it to the other courses though because it's so different. You can play some pretty incredible "holes" out there too.

[Matt Gabellieri]

John,

I feel like Old Mac is different because of the expanse of the course. The wide fairways and enormous greens.  I love how it looks like the super could place a tee marker anywhere.  The hike up and over the hill/sahara after your tee ball on three is one for the ages.