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Bandon Dunes Summer Solstice


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So I ran across the Summer Solstice at Bandon Dunes on the internet sometime last Fall, and ended up calling into Bandon reservations to enter my name into the drawing. Having a good idea of who I wanted to play with, I was able to convince one of my buddies of how awesome of an experience this would be, and had him enter his name into the drawing as well.

 

Well lucky enough for me, my buddy got his name drawn and we are officially on the tee sheet for the annual event at Bandon.

 

This will be my first trip out to Bandon, and I couldnt be looking forward to it more. That being said, has anyone here participated in the event before? I've tried to do as much research as possible ahead of time, but am not finding a ton of info in regards to the event. Anyone have any advice they'd like to share with this sort of thing? Obviously getting my legs in shape and preparing to walk 25+ miles is going to be the biggest task, but interested to hear what everyone thinks of the event. I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone who has played Bandon or has partaken in the event in past years. Whether it be things to do in Bandon, Caddie/No Caddie, how to prep your golf game, changing shoes/socks throughout the day, etc. I'm all ears!

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It's quite the experience! Unless they've changed it in the last couple of years, they start at 5 a.m. with split tees at each course and go in a chronological rotation (Bandon, Pacific, Trails, and Old Mac). I remember starting on 10 at Bandon.

 

With this type of event, pace of play is obviously extremely important (i.e., shoot for three hours per round), so play ready golf, don't spend more than a minute looking for a lost ball (and don't even think of going back to the tee), don't look at three-footers from four different angles, etc. The Solstice is not the day to try to post your personal best. Similarly, a caddie will make less of a difference compared to a standard round there, so you have to decide if you're willing to pay an additional $500+. (They are very good though.)

 

Regardless of whether or not you get a caddie, make sure you bring a stand bag and don't load it with unnecessary crap. I've personally seen a caddie remove 75 extra balls from a player's bag there before. Carrying your own bag is easier than pushing one of their heavy carts. And if you really want to lighten your bag, leave your lob wedge in your room or don't even bring it on the trip.

 

Absolutely change socks between rounds; it makes a world of difference. (I wore the same pair of shoes for all four rounds.) Excluding transit time, you'll have maybe ten minutes between rounds, so keep your socks in your golf bag. You can have a bag of other stuff transported between the courses, but keep your extra socks with you.

 

There will be coolers with water, bananas, peanuts, granola bars, etc., so just grab a handful of stuff and eat as you go.

 

There is nothing to do other than golf, eat, drink, and sleep. The four Canadians I shared a ride to the resort with on my first trip had the right idea as they shipped a box full of booze (about 10 cubic feet!) with their clubs. If they still serve the pork chop at Pacific Grill (above the Pacific Dunes pro shop), order it.

 

If you're staying on property, Lily Pond is the best value. I've also stayed at The Inn but much prefer Lily Pond.

 

Make every effort to fly into North Bend airport. It's well worth the added expense compared to Eugene, Medford, or worse yet, Portland. And the recommended shuttle on the Bandon website (I think it's called Connoisseurs) is nice and convenient; they even had beer on board every time I used them.

 

Most importantly, have fun! (And feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.)

WITB

TaylorMade M5 (10.5) Graphite Design Tour AD GP 6 S

Callaway Rogue ST MAX (15) Graphite Design Tour AD F-75 S

Ping G425 (19) Mitsubishi TENSEI CK Pro Orange Hybrid 80 S

Mizuno MP-53 (4-PW, 22-46) Nippon Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 S

Titleist Vokey SM9 (50.12 F, 54.10 S @ 55, 60.10 S) Nippon Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 S

Edel McKenzie (34)

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I've been lucky enough to play in this event the last three years. It's an amazing time. User JackBauer gave you most of the info you need but here's a bit more...

 

Schedule (I believe I have the dates right for this year)

June 18th: Arrive, check in. They have a "registration and get together" over at the Pacific Dunes Club house/Punch bowl. Head on over there, register and pick up your goodies bag (I've gotten socks, sunscreen, seamus golf marker, etc all the way up to a go pro camera and adidas golf shoes). They'll have free beer and snacks. Bring your putter and a ball so you can knock it around the punch bowl and chat with folks.

 

June 19th (The big day): Wake up early and go get breakfast at the gallery restaurant then head out to your first tee. They'll assign you a starting course and a starting time (usually between 5:30 and 6:00 AM). You play the courses in the order they were built (BD, PD, PT, OM). For example, if you start on PD you'll then go to PT then OM the to BD.

 

They expect you to play fast (they'll give you time estimates) but it is between 3 hours and 3:30 per round. As JackBauer said, this is not the time to grind it out. Play ready golf, don't take too long on set up/practice swings,don't shoot every distance with your range finder, don't mark your ball on the green, and don't putt out from 3 feet..

 

Here are my distances and times from 2017 (mapped in on my iphone)

Bandon Dunes - 6.85 miles, 3:12

Pacific Dunes - 6.58 miles, 3:20

Bandon Trails - 6.54 miles, 3:17

Old Mac - 6.35 miles, 3:19

 

After you finish your last round, they have a big dinner at McKee's Pub. The next day you get up, have breakfast and head out. Some people book a tee time for that day.

 

Some General Advice:

- Change into clean socks in between rounds!!!!!

- I like to switch between golf shoes in between rounds to change up the wear pattern on my feet

- Think about buying some bicycling "Shammy cream" to reduce friction and rub "in between your legs"

- Don't drink too much the night before... it's a long day

- If you've never played Bandon before, consider arriving a day or two early to try and play a course or two. Links golf is completely different

- I carried my own bag so really lightened my bag weight. I dropped about half my clubs. You really don't need that 60 degree wedge on the tight lies at Bandon.

- It will be windy!!! prepare for that.

- If you want to be crazy, go play the preserve after playing the four big courses.

 

But the best advice I can give is to train ahead of time so that you can enjoy the event. Every spring I start running more to get in shape. I also play several days of 36 hole golf leading up to it. It's a lot of golf swings (more for some of us) and you want to be ready so you can enjoy the day. Even with that, around hole 60 you'll wonder what the hell you are doing.

 

Have a great time!!!! It is a truly unique event in an incredible setting.

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Oh... I should add.... If you have never played the courses before and can swing the $$$... Caddies are amazing at Bandon and will help you find your way around. You won't believe some the reads they give you on Old Mac.

 

Because we all wanted to carry our bags, we got a forecaddie one year. Cheaper, but you still get some of the great advice. You'll have to call caddie services to ask about that.

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Just called to get more information about the event so I can plan for 2019. The event is already sold out for 2018. Cost was $1445/per person which includes 2 nights in lily or chrome room. They have a wait list.

 

I will be watching for 2019, now just need to find a playing partner, as my friends are cheap and Bandon is tough to get to from the east coast.

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Is there a waiting list for 2019 or 2020? I don’t mind going by myself. My friends are cheap and lazy. Worst combo of all time imho

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Paradym X 3W ADDI 7s
Rogue SZ 5W ADDI 7s
Callaway Apex Pro 4H ADDI 85s
Titleist T200 5i, T100 6-PW Accra i100
Titleist 50F-54S-58M Accra i105

Newport 2 Tri Sole

Pro-V1x

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I thought you entered your name into a lottery and it was the luck of the draw if you got chosen. I would be interested in this for 2019.

Driver: TaylorMade Sim2 Max - Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 60

3 Wood: TaylorMade Sim2 Max - Fujikura Ventus Blue 6

3 Hybrid: TaylorMade Sim2 Rescue - Tensei AV Raw Blue

4I - GW: Taylor Made PSI - KBS C-Taper 105

SW: Titleist SM5 - 54 - True Temper Dynamic Gold

LW: Titleist SM5 - 60 - True Temper Dynamic Gold

Putter: 2022 Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5

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It's gotten so popular the last few years that it is now a lottery to get in. This way they can give folks a chance to play who haven't before...Just call Bandon Dunes and ask to be put on the lottery list for next year. They keep an email list.

 

I thought you entered your name into a lottery and it was the luck of the draw if you got chosen. I would be interested in this for 2019.

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Not to jack this thread, but to create awareness....

 

Sand Valley also offers a Summer Solstice Event, Not sure if they have availability but I am interested.

 

Wednesday, June 20

4:00pm: Arrive for a warm-up event on the Par 3 course, The Sandbox.

7-8:00pm: Cocktail reception: go over Solstice Day Plan, meet all event attendees, caddies, and staff.

 

Thursday, June 21

5:00am: Breakfast at Clubhouse or Craig’s Porch

5:30am: Shotgun Start on Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes

9:00am: Second Round

12:30pm: Lunch at Clubhouse or Craig’s Porch; Players Switch Courses

1:15pm: Third Round: Shotgun Start on Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes

4:45pm: Fourth Round

9:00pm: Sunset Celebration reception upon completion of play

 

Pricing

Event includes: 2 nights’ accommodation; 72 holes of Golf on Thursday, June 21st; 2 cocktail parties.

Double Occupancy: $700+ tax

Single Occupancy: $1,050+ tax

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  • 4 months later...

i see a few singles interested ... i am on the list and hoping if i am lucky enough to be selected thta one of you will join! my friends are also cheap and not as golf obsessed as i am.

 

I may find myself on this list as a single as well. $1500 + flight for a day of Golf that is not intended for savoring causes some to hit the brakes.

Driver: Ping G410 LST (Diamana ZF)
5w:  Titleist TS2 (Ventus Blue)
3H: Titleist 818 H2 (Ventus Blue HB)
or 3i: Cobra King Utility 21* (Tour AD DI)
4-P: PXG 0311T (KBS $-Taper)
Wedges: 51* Edel TRP, 55* Edel DVR, 60* Cally MD5
Putter: PXG Mini Gunboat H

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That is the decision I am attempting to make. On the flip side I am 30 with a 4 month old at home and hope to increase the size of the family so if not now than when?

Driver: Ping G410 LST (Diamana ZF)
5w:  Titleist TS2 (Ventus Blue)
3H: Titleist 818 H2 (Ventus Blue HB)
or 3i: Cobra King Utility 21* (Tour AD DI)
4-P: PXG 0311T (KBS $-Taper)
Wedges: 51* Edel TRP, 55* Edel DVR, 60* Cally MD5
Putter: PXG Mini Gunboat H

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  • 4 months later...

i see a few singles interested ... i am on the list and hoping if i am lucky enough to be selected thta one of you will join! my friends are also cheap and not as golf obsessed as i am.

 

I may find myself on this list as a single as well. $1500 + flight for a day of Golf that is not intended for savoring causes some to hit the brakes.

 

No singles allowed :/

Driver: Ping G410 LST (Diamana ZF)
5w:  Titleist TS2 (Ventus Blue)
3H: Titleist 818 H2 (Ventus Blue HB)
or 3i: Cobra King Utility 21* (Tour AD DI)
4-P: PXG 0311T (KBS $-Taper)
Wedges: 51* Edel TRP, 55* Edel DVR, 60* Cally MD5
Putter: PXG Mini Gunboat H

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how do you enter the lottery? can't find it

 

This year is full. I sent an email previously and asked to be added to the list. Once you get an email saying signup is open you better move fast, took less than a week to fill up and waiting list to max out

Driver: Ping G410 LST (Diamana ZF)
5w:  Titleist TS2 (Ventus Blue)
3H: Titleist 818 H2 (Ventus Blue HB)
or 3i: Cobra King Utility 21* (Tour AD DI)
4-P: PXG 0311T (KBS $-Taper)
Wedges: 51* Edel TRP, 55* Edel DVR, 60* Cally MD5
Putter: PXG Mini Gunboat H

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  • 5 weeks later...

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