Just returned from Bandon last night. Went with full intention of bringing at least one of those beauties to her knees. Had the advantage of three days of mostly sunshine and benign winds. Conditions were ripe…Failed miserably!
Damn undulating greens!
Secondary mission: Put my ear to the tracks and gather all the scuttlebutt concerning courses 4 and 5.
The two “senior” caddies assigned to me were great sources. To the extent that each were selected to caddie for American Curtis Cuppers and both have also carried for Mr. Kaiser, they seemed to be plugged in. (Why did I have two caddies? Unfortunately, I had to dismiss my first after I left a one and half footer short late in the round at Pacific Dunes. He failed to tell me it was uphill!)
What I now know for sure: Nothing! But I do have some more speculation to throw into the mix. I was told course four is a property where moving earth might be appropriate. No architect mentioned specifically, but may support the Kingsbarns group. Course five: a tribute course that probably plays into Mr. Kaiser’s interest in Macdonald, Raynor and the Lido course. George Bahto’s book certainly made it clear that the Lido involved the hand of man in building it. So could the property east of Pacific Dunes’ 14th and 15th holes (which everyone suggests is the parcel for the fourth course) be the site of the Tribute course?
Also heard Tom Doak was selected to do the next course. This contradicts my earlier reporting. Sorry, but it’s the nature of this exercise. To Tom Doak’s credit, Pacific Dunes is an all-world course on an all-world piece of linksland. It’s hard to imagine a better result than what he (and G_d!) left us to play. It is not unreasonable to suggest Mike Kaiser might tap Tom Doak to do an encore. I would also add my own editorial note here. Almost as much as playing the three courses, I enjoy pulling fellow Bandon golfers into the debate as to which course they enjoy the most. Given the fact that the three properties were not of equal quality, using three architects, each with their own distinct “style,” adds to the overall experience. I view the decision to have Pete Dye design all four Kohler courses a weakness, not a draw. Wouldn’t you want to play a MacKenzie, a Tillinghast, a Macdonald and a Ross if they were all located on a property like Bandon (I’d like to finally give Tillie a crack at some oceanfront property!). Mr. Kaiser, bring in a fourth architect!
As to the tribute course, if it is to be a Macdonald thing, then I think it would be logical to have the acknowledged expert involved: George Bahto. Perhaps Tom Doak’s talented group would be generous enough to collaborate.