Jim
You are indeed a lucky man. Bandon is beyond pure.
Things to check out on the courses: 1)notice the difference in the style of bunkering betweeen Bandon and Pacific. Especially check out the fairway bunkering on #13 Pacific, the front bunker on #12 Bandon, fairway bunkering on #8 Bandon, the huge front bunker on #6 Pacific. 2) whether playing the back tees or not, check out the view the back tee at #13 Pacific affords...follow the dune from behind the 13th green (way in the distance), all the way back past the tee you are standing on and the halfway(?) house just to see how Doak used that great dune on so many holes. 3) the great green sites used by Kidd at Bandon, specifically #5 and #14 4) the wonderfully diverse back nine 3 pars at Pacific 5) the wickedly difficult short approach (unless into the wind, then its just impossible) at #11 Bandon and 6) how there is not one mediocre hole in the bunch.
I would recommend you:
a. take a caddy. I needed one to aim tee shots especially. They are courteous, knowledgeable, and professional.
b. sample the Oregon wines at the Lodge
c. dine at the Crow's Nest in Bandon proper (located above the Wheel House)...great view, funky little attic type restaurant.
d. try the pizza at Mulligans at Bandon Dunes
e. if travelling with three others (or more), play at least one round contested at alternate shot. We did our last round there, and it was by far the most fun of the six rounds played.
f. take rain gear
g. take lots of gloves (see f)
h. take water proof golf shoes
i. don't worry if you forget your umbrella. It will probably blow too hard to make a difference.
J. don't try to self serve at an Oregonian gas station. Its a $5000 fine. I'm not kidding.
Enjoy the walk...as they say there.