Bandon Dunes Trip Feb 8-11, Looking For One Golfer

[Norbert P]

 Great point Jeff. I usually decline the cart ride too, and you're picture reminds me of why. (though last time I walked up the cartpath for some dopey reason.)  And, maybe also, I'm thinking, "I've gone this far, what's the big deal?" It's a priveledge to walk, it doesn't hurt, and I'll probably have to wait on by the tee anyway. (I rarely have honors)

[Norbert P]

That picture really emphasizes the benefit of a draw from the tee. From the tee, you really can't see all that fairway on the driver's left.

(Sorry mollydookers for drawing backwards)

[Joe Bentham]

I'll save you the time.  The recent deluge of rain has rendered the crossings almost unplayable.  I would make sure they where letting you take carts before I went down there because you won't want to walk it....

JohnM--
Above you'll see my first post from this thread.  Kindly point out where I tell Scott not to play the Crossings...

You did not tell Scott not to play the Crossings.  I did not say you told Scott not to play the Crossings.

My issue with you is simple.  You are promoting Bandon (which is fine) without disclosing that you work there (note I said there instead of for).  I gave you the chance to address that and own up to your relationship with Bandon and you avoided it.  That makes your credibility on this subject questionable.

Several of us have tried to point out facts with yardages & elevations changes, yet you seem to think everyone should yield to your superior knowledge.  You do not seem to understand why we might think your opinions are biased by your Bandon relationship.  I'm sorry that you can't seem to grasp this concept.

John--
I've made it clear that I'm a caddie at Bandon Dunes countless times on this site and in this thread.  I've caddied for members of GCA, and count several others as friends.  The fact that you might have missed that along the way isn't my fault.  
I'm also a golfer who plays a ton of golf at the Bandon resort (one of, if not the most discussed place on this forum).  My postings are not part of a secret marketing plan.  I promise you.  The resort doesn't need my help.  
My thoughts on the Crossings are just that, my thoughts.  My informal count puts me as one of the half dozen or so posters who've actually played the place.  The yardages and elevations changes pulled from the internet don't do the walk justice.  What's also clear to me is that the walking aspect of golf means a lot more to me then most.  Riding in a cart just isn't for me, it isn't golf IMO.  When a golf course is designed with no thought for the walker, which IMO the Crossings was, the outcome can't be good.

[John Mayhugh]

Joe Bentham
Could you define countless for me? I looked at all of the posts under your name and didn't see a single one that clearly stated you caddy at Bandon. Maybe you did somewhere and I overlooked it, but I guess you define countless as nothing to count.

Show me three posts where you say that you caddy at Bandon and I will gladly apologize to you.

[jeffwarne]

Michael,
at least you don't have to tip him at the end of this conversation

and if you're carrying double bags does that mean you've made the walk 1500 times? -Which in my opinion would meet the criteria for commenting on the length of the walk/walks
Anyone with less walks should cease commenting

[Norbert P]

Anyone with less walks (than 750) should cease commenting

Sorry Jeff, the steam just couldn't be held in the kettle.

There are plenty of golf courses with a few long walks that still garner high respect.  Cape Breton Highland Links has a 480 yarder from the 12th to 13th hole. Through Ran Mo's eyes and feet and keyboard, the "tranquil" walk is a plus, not a flaw.  I don't mean to compare CBHL walk with the walk at BXings, but it doesn't destroy the round. I personally find it an interesting perspective looking inland and to the south - where does it go? The next hole is well worth the effort, also.  (and there's a snack hut up there)

  Joe, the course is designed with the walker in mind. The holes down in the lowlands were unavoidable, unless, of course, the area wasn't used at all, in which case the walks would be even greater.  It's only been played for about six months now and by Springtime we'll begin to see more "paths of least resistance" made by walkers.  

btw - this report of Ran's is beautiful. . .      http://www.golfclubatlas.com/capebreton2.html

How's Cabot Links coming along, anyway?

[John Kavanaugh]

It should not surprise anyone that we did play Bandon Crossings today with zero rain and close to 50 deg weather.  Turns out even the designer of the course has read this thread and wonders what the hell Dick the Caddie forever in the future now known as DTC is thinking with his bashing of Bandon Crossings.  To put the course in perspective it is on par with Rustic Canyon.  Sure LA has better courses but Rustic still is a must play on the occassional basis under the right conditions.  I killed at the casino last night so am taking a caddie tomorrow at Bandon Trails.  I do hope it is DTC so I can get the picture and $75 off of Huck.

Nothing quite like having a guy behind the counter ask your name and know who you are.   Makes a guy want to say nice things all the time...almost.

[Scott Weersing]

I got to play with John on Friday at Bandon Crossings. Bandon Crossings is a great course. The biggest surpise is that the course is not flat. There are rolling fairways, bumpy fairways, elevated greens, and great bunkers.

[Steve Kline]

I haven't played Bandon Crossings but my dad caddied for me at Bandon Trails during the Mid-m and he commented on how tired he was after walking BT. He said it was a little difficult. This from a man who walks and carries his probably 150 times a year, mostly on a course built for a billy goat, in 90+ degree weather with 90+ percent humidity. If he thinks it's a little difficult to walk, then it is.

I, however, found it a piece of cake (sans golf bag). 

[John Kirk]

I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself.  Along with Juniper in Redmond, makes two very nice new public facilities in Oregon.  Beautiful walk through the ranch.

[Garland Bayley]

Interestingly, the new discussion group software marks a topic new after an edit now. John, why did you remove the link? I think people would like to see your article. Joe Bentham, could stand to read it.

Edit: Went back to check my spelling on Joe's name. Interestingly, he has deleted all of his posts to the thread except for one. Don't know if he missed that one or what. For the curious, check Michael Dugger's posts and others for quotes of what Joe had to say.

[John Kirk]

You don't think the self important police will attack me?  OK, I'll risk it...

http://www.linksmagazine.com/golf_courses/united_states/oregon/bandon_crossings_golf_course.aspx

Photo of the 6th hole by Cheryl Kirk.

It's a very nice section of the Links Magazine website.  Anthony Pioppi has an article on Engineers CC there.

[Norbert P]

John Kirk, thanks for the link to he fine article, and Cheryl did a great job for the slide show. I'm glad she got some nice shots of the lowland green complexes, also. 

Is this article bound to arrive in the paper magazine?

[Garland Bayley]

If the weather in Portland is any indication, these guys had fabulous weather for their Bandon trip.

[Patrick Hodgdon]

This thread was very shall I say interesting to read after Joe's posts were deleted/removed. Glad you guys had a good trip, would love to see any pictures of all the courses.

[David Botimer]

...Crossings strikes me as a cart only layout.
...

Joe,

Let me make one thing perfectly clear. There is no such thing as a cart only layout.

If it can be golfed, it can be walked.

I was just making a joke when I first mentioned your conflict of interest, but now I am beginning to get concerned.

Boy would I love to see you repeat those words after carrying your bag on the Mountains Course at Bighorn Golf Club, or its neighbor down the hill Stoneeagle Golf Club, also in Palm Desert!!!

[tlavin]

Kapalua is unwalkable as well, to the best of my recollection.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Kapalua is unwalkable as well, to the best of my recollection.

I've walked the course during the tournament, but couldn't imagine doing so with a bag on my back.  It could probably be done, but it would take more than one mai tai after the round to cure you.

[Kalen Braley]

There is a course here in Utah built on the side of the mountain that is unwalkable, even if you had a caddy.

I triple dog dare anyone to walk it in 100+ degree heat as is the norm for Utah summers.

[Garland Bayley]

Kapalua is unwalkable as well, to the best of my recollection.

Tell that to the tour. They need to revise their policy.

[Garland Bayley]

There is a course here in Utah built on the side of the mountain....that is unwalkable, even if you had a caddy.

I triple dog dare anyone to walk it in 100+ degree heat as is the norm for Utah summers.

Kalen,

Can you say 6am tee time? 

Seriously, my home course is a bit hilly, and I have walked it many times in 100+ heat with bag on back. They also keep significant supplies of drinking water on the course, which far too many courses do not do! Yet another reason Joe Paycheck doesn't want to play golf. He doesn't want to continually blow part of his paycheck on drink carts and the like.

[Tom Huckaby]

Gents:  this is a pretty silly point.  In the end Caddie Joe is technically correct. Any golf course CAN be walked.  If one can get from hole to hole in any fashion, by the laws of physics one obviously could walk the same path a cart traverses.  At a few courses one might indeed have to break the posted rules against walking, but where there's a will there's a way.

A very separate question would go toward the WISDOM of walking some courses, like the ones mentioned already.  We have a doozy here in San Jose also, the oft-mentioned THE RANCH.  

So yes, no course is unwalkable.

Some would just be very very stupid to even try to walk, that's all.

TH

[Kalen Braley]

Garland,

Even with a 6 Am tee time, as a single it would still take probably 5 hours to walk it....if you don't pass out from a stroke first.

I've walked courses that are hilly, and they are a great workout.  This one is mountainous with some HUGE walks between greens and tees, and at least 4-5 of them being both long and straight up the side of the mountain.

Consider it an open invite, Garland...you can stay at my place as my guest.

[Garland Bayley]

Kalen,

You are not talking about walking the golf course. You are talking about walking the ill-advised connections between the holes. Notice that I say if it can be golfed, it can be walked. You don't golf the connections between the holes. I have often suggested some courses need shuttles between holes. Is there any reason a small, automated, electric rail car could not be put in to run back and forth between green and tee?

[Kalen Braley]

Garland,

I don't make a distinction between walking the actual golf holes and walking from green to tee...they are one in the same.  Its alwasy been clubhouse to clubhouse in my book.

Stipulating cart rides in between holes, then yes the course would be a doable walk.  Unfortunately more than half the holes would need scuh type of system in between them.