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cary lichtenstein

  • Total Karma: 0
Sand Pines and Astoria
« on: June 29, 2006, 07:56:25 PM »
I'm curious if I should include these 2 courses as part of my Bandon trip next month. I've read some posts on Sand Pines and it seems to get mixed reviews and Astoria seems to get better ones.

Thoughts from the Treehouse.
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

Bill_McBride

  • Total Karma: 1
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2006, 07:59:40 PM »
Cary, you should ignore all previous reports, play 'em both, and post an in-depth report.  "Inquiring minds want to know!"

Thanks.  8)

Michael Dugger

  • Total Karma: 1
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2006, 08:22:52 PM »
Goodness no do not raise this topic, quassi.

Delete this thread, do a search of the archives and you will find all you have EVER wanted to know about the proverbial opinion of the treehouse regarding Sandpines (one word)

They have a nice new clubhouse up on a hill

What does it matter if the poor player can putt all the way from tee to green, provided that he has to zigzag so frequently that he takes six or seven putts to reach it?     --Alistair Mackenzie--

cary lichtenstein

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2006, 08:31:23 PM »
ignore this thread
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

Craig Van Egmond

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2006, 10:45:20 PM »

I won't go down the SandPines route but...

If you have time then play Astoria. It is a very quirky course,  but definately worth seeing. Some cool stuff and some bizarre stuff.


Jordan Wall

Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2006, 12:01:43 AM »
Okay.

Cary, I would say play Sandpines.  See what you think.

I think there is waaaay too much containment mounding and the land didnt get used as well as it could have been used but I think you will still enjoy your round.  Dont go there looking for the best course.  Go there with an open mind and see what you think.  As for me, it was nothing special but you never know, you may like it!

peter_p

Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2006, 01:57:24 AM »
Cary,
If you want to drive the Oregon coast north from Bandon, choose Salishan (N of Newport) or Gearhart (S of Astoria) before playing Sandpines in addition to Astoria. But imagine Gearhart without the recently installed irrigation system and mounding.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2006, 01:57:50 AM by Peter Pittock »

Mike Erdmann

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2006, 02:04:33 AM »
Astoria's pretty inconvenient to Bandon, but it's pretty unique in the world of American golf architecture, and for that reason alone it's worth making the effort to play.  If you like sporty, quirky courses, I think you'd enjoy Astoria.

As for Sandpines, it's not a golf course you'd want to go out of your way to play, but given the amount of controversy it's generated here, I'd recommend you play it to make up your own mind about it.  Besides, if you're driving from Bandon to Astoria it's just off the highway.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2006, 02:05:00 AM by Mike_Erdmann »

Dan Herrmann

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2006, 10:53:12 AM »
Don't forget that other Bandon, OR course, Face Rock!

http://bandonbythesea.com/golf.htm

I wonder how many folks even know it's there.


(Not exactly a Kidd/C&C/Doak design - and no, I'm not really recommending it.)
« Last Edit: June 30, 2006, 10:53:45 AM by Dan Herrmann »

Tim Pitner

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2006, 11:03:43 AM »
My advice--play as much golf at Bandon as you stand, and enjoy the rest of the Oregon coast sans golf.  I'm not into playing courses I'm not likely to enjoy (I've played enough mediocre courses), and I'm afraid Sandpines will fall in that category for you.  If you're going north from Bandon along the coast, stay in Manzanita, a great little town near Cannon Beach.

HamiltonBHearst

Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2006, 11:10:51 AM »


Mr. Lichtenstein

Plaese play Sandpines. It would be nice to get an honest review from those that don't have an anti-rees agenda.  It would also be nice to hear from people who have actually seen the course.

John Kavanaugh

Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2006, 11:12:09 AM »

Cary,

If you have the slightest desire to save money (if you pay for golf that is) I have it on good authority that Sandpines is a wonderful affordable diversion for people heading to Bandon.

Jordan,

Please tell me how the land at Sandpines could have better been used.  What do you know that the architect didn't..

HamiltonBHearst

Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2006, 11:19:04 AM »


Jordan/Dugger

Why don't you post those phoney photos of the "land surrounding" Sandpines.  Lucky we had Pat Mucci to keep you honest. ;D

Dan Herrmann

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2006, 11:30:33 AM »
HamiltonB - I played Sandpines shortly after it opened and rec'd Golf Digest's "Best New Course of 1993" award.

Granted - it's nowhere near as good as the Bandon courses, but it's certainly not horrible.  Yes - the course does not approach the ocean as you'd hope, and it probably doesn't qualify as a real links course.
-------------------
The thing that bothers me about Sandpines is what it could have been.  I think it's on land who's potential was not challenged.  


« Last Edit: June 30, 2006, 11:30:49 AM by Dan Herrmann »

Tiger_Bernhardt

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #14 on: June 30, 2006, 12:10:02 PM »
Sand Pines is a really average course at best. It is a true missed opportunity. I will play Astoria next Friday and give you a report.

JohnV

Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #15 on: June 30, 2006, 02:31:14 PM »
Cary,

Astoria, Gearhart, Salishan and Sandpines are all interesting examples of golf course architecture.  Some good, some not so good.  I haven't seen Salishan since it was redone a few years ago, but if you have the time before your dates at Bandon, I would play them all for the experience.  If you only have time for one, make it Astoria as it is loads of fun.  Gearhart is almost the opposite in appearance.  Astoria plays between the dunes while some holes at Gearhart play on top of them.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2006, 02:31:36 PM by John Vander Borght »

Wayne Freeman

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #16 on: June 30, 2006, 03:36:59 PM »
If you're flying into Eugene and arrive in the late morning or early afternoon, I think it would be worthwhile to try to play Eugene CC if you can get on-  although I haven't played it myself everyone raves about it. (We flew there on a Thurs. and the pro wouldn't let us play because he said they had too much going on that afternoon).  Then you could drive to Bandon which will take a little over 2 hours.
   I thought Sand Pines was just ok and wouldn't play it unless you really have nothing else to do.  

Jim Adkisson

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #17 on: June 30, 2006, 03:52:15 PM »
Drive straight to Bandon, do not pass go, do not play Astoria, Gearheart, Manzanita, Alderbrook, Salishan, Sandpines or Ocean Dunes...All of these courses are a great diversion if you are at the beach in their respective locales (well maybe not "great" for Manzanita or Alderbrook) but don't even come close to the 3 courses at Bandon...Don't sell yourself short for "diversion" or to save a few sheckles...when you plan a trip to get to Bandon, go to Bandon, play at Bandon!

Michael Dugger

  • Total Karma: 1
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #18 on: June 30, 2006, 04:00:32 PM »


Jordan/Dugger

Why don't you post those phoney photos of the "land surrounding" Sandpines.  Lucky we had Pat Mucci to keep you honest. ;D

Dude, are you like twelve years old still?  

Let it rest, man, your barbs do not get me riled up any longer.

Those with a clue understand....even you, Hamilton Hearst, could have designed a golf course the equal of Sandpines on that piece of property.

And if it turned out the same as what is there now, I, Michael Dugger, would say you did a mediocre job.



« Last Edit: June 30, 2006, 05:58:39 PM by Michael Dugger »
What does it matter if the poor player can putt all the way from tee to green, provided that he has to zigzag so frequently that he takes six or seven putts to reach it?     --Alistair Mackenzie--

Tiger_Bernhardt

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #19 on: June 30, 2006, 04:18:42 PM »
I like Eugene CC as well. It is a very good course but not worth missing a round at Bandon over. Sandpines is not worth missing drinks with friends over.

cary lichtenstein

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:Sand Pines and Astoria
« Reply #20 on: June 30, 2006, 04:35:47 PM »
Jim:

Good post and that is exactly what I am going to do

Cary
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta