I just returned from 5 wonderful days in Bandon. Remarkably, it rained only once, the wind barely blew, and I was in shirt sleeves most of the time. I actually missed the wind...for once!
DISCLAIMER: Below is a collection of hearsay that was passed on to me by various employees of the resort. Hopefully Tom Doak will chime in and lend some insight.
RUMOR #1: PACIFIC DUNES: Apparently they have been considering a routing change to Pacific Dunes to accomodate a new three story clubhouse, which will be built somewhere behind the seventh green. As such they have apparently been considering making Hole No. 8 the new first hole. Rumor has it, that Tom Doak was against the change in routing, and that Mr. Keiser has recently decided to leave the layout as it is.
That said, I think it is enormously fun to discuss what the pros and con's would have been to that change. I think holes 4,5,6, and 7 would have made a great finishing sequence. I am not saying a better one, however I like the idea of coming back to the ocean later in the round. I also like the idea of a visually straightforward tee shot on the first hole which hole No. 8 would offer.
COURSE #3 WOODLAND DUNES: Apparently a few greens have already been built, perhaps solely for testing grasses. They apparently are considering the use of Poa for greens on the Woodland Dunes course. One employee said that Coore and Crenshaw had the job and construction had started. Another said that Mike DeVries had recently been in to meet with Mr. Keiser. In my opinion wither one would be a wonderful choice. The lower profile DeVries would seem more consistent with past selections.
COURSE #4: Rumor has it that this will be a 27 hole layout built near PD 14 and 15 and back towards Whisky Run. I was told that this job had definately been given to Gil Hanse! Can't help but try to imagine a Rustic Canyon or Craighead layout on that setting.