Sheep Ranch

[Yancey_Beamer]

My photos from the Ranch.

1st Fairway looking North

1st Tee Looking North

1st Tee Looking South

1st Tee going straight to ocean

3rd fairway going South

4 Green

4 Tee going North

4th going towards the Pacific Ocean

4th Green East view

4th Green

[Jon Wiggett]

Good photos Yancey, what is the small flag for?

[RJ_Daley]

I'm guessing the little flag tells you not to go anyfurther in there, as you might twist a leg, fall into a hole or down a slope, or damage the native on the slopes.  

Yancey, that looks like a field of dreams that most golfers only have visions of in the REM state.  Too bad they already used the line, "is this heaven - no it's Iowa" in the movie.  Cripes that is either heaven or Oregon coast... I know that much...  

[Jim Nugent]

Can someone in the know explain the Sheep Ranch to me?  I know it's a private course at Bandon, and have the sense you can play it lots of ways.  I also know many of you rave about it.  Any further light that can be shed?  

[SPDB]

3rd fairway going South

Is the Sheep Ranch trying to challenge the USGA for
the prize for the narrowest fairway?!?!  

[Jay Flemma]

Amazing...any more pix?

Thanks for those!

[Wayne_Kozun]

Can someone in the know explain the Sheep Ranch to me?  I know it's a private course at Bandon, and have the sense you can play it lots of ways.  I also know many of you rave about it.  Any further light that can be shed?  

Here's what it says on Golf Magazine's web site:

THE SHEEP RANCH

Known jokingly as "Area 51," the Sheep Ranch isn't a conventional course. Tom Doak laid out 13 tees and greens on the bluffs. Drop a ball, choose your target and begin a journey that takes you back to how the game was first played. Then pull the gate behind you. That's if you can persuade the resort to let you out there. No harm in asking, right?

[Dan Herrmann]

From my understanding, the Sheep Ranch really isn't associated with the resort.  I was told to contact the folks at Bandon Golf Supply down on US101 for more info.

Never did - we went to Gold Beach and the jet boats on our afternoon 'off' from playing the resort's courses.

[Mike_Cirba]

Heaven.  

If you can't enjoy TSR, you don't really like golf.

[Tom Huckaby]

Heaven.  

If you can't enjoy TSR, you don't really like golf.

Mike:
I'd agree that SR must be heaven for guys like us.  I can't wait to play it.

BUT... I'd disagree with your statement there.  I have plenty of friends who I know wouldn't dig Sheep Ranch - the lack of structure alone would freak them out.  And they do love the game.

TH

[Matt_Cohn]

All the pictures are labeled with hole numbers, so...is there a routing, or not?

[Tom Huckaby]

Matt - my understanding is that there is a suggested routing, and they do give you a map.

But that's as close as this comes to a "normal" golf course... it's extremely raw and undefined.  That's the fun for guys like Cirba and me and most in here... But I shudder thinking of taking some of my other friends to play a course where a map is required, if that makes any sense.

TH

[Mike_Cirba]

Huck,

I thought I'd try to make a grand Kavanaugh-like declarative pronouncement ringing with a touch of arrogance and see how it went over.  

Ain't buying it,huh?

[Tim Pitner]

I played Sheep Ranch with some guys who wouldn't know a Redan or a Biarritz if it bit them in the backside.  They loved it.  How can you not love having a course to yourself, the Pacific Ocean, and a bag full of Heinekens?  I think Sheep Ranch can be appreciated by virtually any golfer.  

[Tom Huckaby]

Mike:

Well, absolutes rarely work absolutely.

Tim:

Those parts of it would have to be very cool.  I just really do believe I have a few friends who's give me crap for leaving the comfort and security of the main three courses.  It is a big beautiful world of golf.

TH

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike:

Well, absolutes rarely work absolutely.

Tom;

YES THEY DO!  ALWAYS!!!!    

[Tom Huckaby]

 
What's pissing me off here is this is giving me even more "sheep ranch envy."  I gotta fix this.

 

[Tim Pitner]

Tom H,

I agree that some will like it better than others, but I don't want to give people the impression that it's only for architecture nerds.  For the first few "holes" out there, I was absolutely giddy with excitement, and the rest of my group totally dug it as well.  Heck, I think even Kavanaugh would like it--you can still keep score and gamble if you want to.  It's a treat.  I think it works best as a warm-up or relief round--we played there right off the plane on Thurs afternoon before playing the resort courses.  

[cary lichtenstein]

Hey, the Sheep Ranch is a nice experience, but it is not special. It is just a wide open, very wind blown ranch with minimial routing and some greens and shallow traps here and there.

Bill McBride and I spent about 2 hours there, randomly playing the holes pretty much along the ocean side.

It is something to do AFTER you play your morning round and after you play it, then you can say you played it.

But "sheep ranch envy", I don't think sooooooo

[Tom Huckaby]

Tim:

See Cary's post.  It's mild compared to what my other friends would say.

The prosecution rests.

 

[Andy Hughes]

I just really do believe I have a few friends who's give me crap for leaving the comfort and security of the main three courses.

Tom, of course, you are exactly right. Some of my friends already think I am a little 'odd' when it comes to courses and design.  The Sheep Ranch, after 2 holes, would have them asking me when they could go back to one of the three 'real' courses.

I think we often confuse us with a representative sampling of golfers. We aren't.

[Tim Pitner]

Tom,

Wow, I'm not sure what to say.  Obviously, Cary wasn't packing the bagful of Heinekens.  

With the waist high rough at Sheep Ranch, I thought it looked like Muirfield, with better views.  I'd put Sheep Ranch in the top 5 or 6 courses I've played in the U.S.

[Tom Huckaby]

Tim - Andy gets it.

And remember, I'm damn certain I'd personally be with you re the place's greatness - as I'd bet Andy would be also.

But we are we, and they are they.

TH

[John Kavanaugh]

Tom H,

I agree that some will like it better than others, but I don't want to give people the impression that it's only for architecture nerds.  For the first few "holes" out there, I was absolutely giddy with excitement, and the rest of my group totally dug it as well.  Heck, I think even Kavanaugh would like it--you can still keep score and gamble if you want to.  It's a treat.  I think it works best as a warm-up or relief round--we played there right off the plane on Thurs afternoon before playing the resort courses.  

Tim,

I spent three days at Bandon and has zero interest in seeing the Sheep Ranch.  Turned down an offer to go.  I would rather spend my time playing Sand Pines on my way down from Seatle after playing Aldera with a bud..

[John Kavanaugh]

Tim,

I already play most of my golf drunk with no other groups on the course..

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