Bandon Question-worth it under these circumstances?

[dpb5031]

[quote name='farmer' timestamp='1437605529' post='12002488']
I know nothing about Bandon other than threads on here. That said, congratulations to your daughter and I hope she does well. Keep us up to date on her progress.
[/quote]
Thanks, and I will. We're going into it with ZERO expectations...just planning to enjoy the experience and have fun. Her best golf is still well in front of her...

[JLo_73]

Great resort and as others have said the replay rate helps to justify the cost. Food is pretty reasonable and if you don' take caddies (although they are great) it helps to keep things reasonable. Congrats and enjoy! It's a special place...

[GolfCrew]

Just back from Bandon. Played 36 two days in a row with caddies. Have been lucky enough to have played St. Andrews (Old, New, Eden), Prestwick, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch, Pebble, Spanish Bay, Spyglass, TPC Sawgrass (stadium), Streamsong (red & blue), and many others on business trips. Bandon is hands down my all time favorite for a pure golf experience. Others have history but at Bandon it's "Golf as it was meant to be". Be sure to get and read "Dream Golf". IMO caddies are an essential part of the experience, not just carrying your bag. It will be a shared experience you and your daughter will have forever. I shared with my two sons and my grandson. By the way I'm 73 with bursitis in my hip. It's the experience of a lifetime. Just do it!!!!

[GolfCrew]

Forgot to mention. Highly recommend Bucky and Ashley as caddies. You can request in advance.

[vallygolf]

Bandon is such a great local. You will love it, I had a similar situation. My family was vacationing on the oregon coast and I drove down (2.5 hours from where we were) to Bandon to play with my sons (avatar photo). It was so memorable. We played the Dunes course. It was in March of this year in 35 MPH winds. I loved every minute of it (course conditions werent ideal though); however I wanted to play more. It was a huge letdown to only be able to play once, knowing what was there. One perk to being able to stay off site and take your chances on tee times is that if you check the weather and it is rainy and windy you dont have to make the drive down. It was definitly a grind it out round in the wind, and I would have played more if I could have, but if I had looked at the weather and it was going to be rainy with 35 mph winds I dont think my kids would have had as much fun....

[dpb5031]

Thanks for all the great replies. We'll be playing it by ear, seeing how she does at Portland Golf Club in the Women's Am, and also watching the weather at Bandon. I'm thinking stay 1 night, play 3 rounds...

[mallrat]

[quote name='dpb5031' timestamp='1437825516' post='12017184']
Thanks for all the great replies. We'll be playing it by ear, seeing how she does at Portland Golf Club in the Women's Am, and also watching the weather at Bandon. I'm thinking stay 1 night, play 3 rounds...
[/quote]

First off, congrats on your daughter making it to the US Women's AM and welcome to the amazing Pacific Northwest or the PNW as you'll see us refer to it.

From someone who lives here, I'd recommend taking as much time as you can to see the area and golf since you never know when you'll be back out here and it's also pretty cheap as far as vacations go. Not sure how old your daughter is but there are some pretty cool things about the area that you could do/see to extend your stay in the area.

As for being in the Portland area, you could go tour the Nike campus (it's awesome) and maybe see something pretty cool there (2 weeks ago they had The Opening, best HS football players from around the country come in town and train on campus) and if you want a real treat go see a Timbers game if they're in town. On the way to Bandon, stop in Eugene and see the U of O campus, then stay a night in Florence and have some of the best fresh seafood you'll ever have and play a round at Sandpines for around $40, a very underrated golf course.

If you have any restaurant or lodging questions shoot me a PM or if you want to go check out a certain store (if that makes sense). We live about 5-7 miles from Portland Golf Club, but have never played there only heard great things.

[puttnforthe8]

Back from Bandon last night....another great trip...2nd this year. It is simply glorious!

[dpb5031]

[quote name='mallrat' timestamp='1437953737' post='12024074']
[quote name='dpb5031' timestamp='1437825516' post='12017184']
Thanks for all the great replies. We'll be playing it by ear, seeing how she does at Portland Golf Club in the Women's Am, and also watching the weather at Bandon. I'm thinking stay 1 night, play 3 rounds...
[/quote]

First off, congrats on your daughter making it to the US Women's AM and welcome to the amazing Pacific Northwest or the PNW as you'll see us refer to it.

From someone who lives here, I'd recommend taking as much time as you can to see the area and golf since you never know when you'll be back out here and it's also pretty cheap as far as vacations go. Not sure how old your daughter is but there are some pretty cool things about the area that you could do/see to extend your stay in the area.

As for being in the Portland area, you could go tour the Nike campus (it's awesome) and maybe see something pretty cool there (2 weeks ago they had The Opening, best HS football players from around the country come in town and train on campus) and if you want a real treat go see a Timbers game if they're in town. On the way to Bandon, stop in Eugene and see the U of O campus, then stay a night in Florence and have some of the best fresh seafood you'll ever have and play a round at Sandpines for around $40, a very underrated golf course.

If you have any restaurant or lodging questions shoot me a PM or if you want to go check out a certain store (if that makes sense). We live about 5-7 miles from Portland Golf Club, but have never played there only heard great things.
[/quote]

Thanks for taking the time to make such a nice post. Much of our discretionary time will depend on her success in the championship. Obviously, I hope she makes it to the weekend, but she's a relatively inexperienced 16 year old, so I'm trying b to be realistic. Either way, sounds like we're going to have a great time in the PNW! I'll try to remember to check in here.

[jrwmd]

I may be weighing in a little late, but if Bandon does not work out the central Oregon courses around Bend are fantastic and economical. Crosswater and Pronghorn Nick and Fazio(if you can get on it - with your story I bet you can) are particularly fantastic. At Sunriver Caldera there is a par 3 that is not as pod as the one at Bandon but still great and very very cheap (free if you stay at caldera).

I've played Bandon and the above repeatedly. Bandon is something amazing to see. But the climate is, in my Dallas TX opinion, not good at all. Central Oregon in the summer is paradise. Clear blue skies, rarely any rain or even a cloud, highs around 80, lows in mid 40's, all courses surrounded by amazing volcanic mountains. No they don't pay me to say this.

[dpb5031]

We arrived in Portland yesterday. My daughter is a little travel-weary as she was only home for less than 8 hours after returning solo from a tournament in Hutchinson, KS. We're not complaining though; friends of ours had a 13 hour travel nightmare due to scorpions on the plane!!! WTF???

Anyway, she played her practice round today at Portland Golf Club. The course is beautiful and challenging. The people here couldn't be nicer and more hospitable. We are staying as house-guests of the Mayor of Beaverton, and consider ourselves to be extraordinarily fortunate.

I'm hoping my daughter can re-charge her batteries and make a nice run in the US Women's Am. When (or I should say..."if" lol!) she gets eliminated, we'll probably head to Bandon. Depending on a number of obvious variables another father/daughter team might join us!

Thanks again for all of the great posts! I'll update when I can...

[mallrat]

[quote name='dpb5031' timestamp='1439079603' post='12102854']
We arrived in Portland yesterday. My daughter is a little travel-weary as she was only home for less than 8 hours after returning solo from a tournament in Hutchinson, KS. We're not complaining though; friends of ours had a 13 hour travel nightmare due to scorpions on the plane!!! WTF???

Anyway, she played her practice round today at Portland Golf Club. The course is beautiful and challenging. The people here couldn't be nicer and more hospitable. We are staying as house-guests of the Mayor of Beaverton, and consider ourselves to be extraordinarily fortunate.

I'm hoping my daughter can re-charge her batteries and make a nice run in the US Women's Am. When (or I should say..."if" lol!) she gets eliminated, we'll probably head to Bandon. Depending on a number of obvious variables another father/daughter team might join us!

Thanks again for all of the great posts! I'll update when I can...
[/quote]

If you have some down time you could head up to Columbia Edgewater and catch some of the LPGA event. It's about 30 - 45 minutes from you. Make sure you get a chance to sample Voodoo donuts downtown (the bacon Maple bar is my favorite). We are a pretty friendly bunch up here in the PNW. This is perfect weather for up here but about 5 degrees warmer than normal, don't let the hours confuse her though because it still stays light until 8:30 or almost 9.

Right around the course are some ok eats and congrats on the Mayors house. Let me know if you guys have any down time and are looking for stuff to do.

[CDM]

[quote name='dpb5031' timestamp='1439079603' post='12102854']
We arrived in Portland yesterday. My daughter is a little travel-weary as she was only home for less than 8 hours after returning solo from a tournament in Hutchinson, KS. We're not complaining though; friends of ours had a 13 hour travel nightmare due to scorpions on the plane!!! WTF???

Anyway, she played her practice round today at Portland Golf Club. The course is beautiful and challenging. The people here couldn't be nicer and more hospitable. We are staying as house-guests of the Mayor of Beaverton, and consider ourselves to be extraordinarily fortunate.

I'm hoping my daughter can re-charge her batteries and make a nice run in the US Women's Am. When (or I should say..."if" lol!) she gets eliminated, we'll probably head to Bandon. Depending on a number of obvious variables another father/daughter team might join us!

Thanks again for all of the great posts! I'll update when I can...
[/quote]

Wishing your daughter "good bounces" and should you make it to Bandon...both of you =)

[dpb5031]

10 over in round #1, so she'll probably need 67 today for a chance. She hit 2 drives OB and made nothing on the greens...probably the caddy's fault!
The good news is she played with 2 D1 college players and although the score doesn't reflect it, she hit it better and longer than both.

We'll probably head to Bandon Thursday and stay 2 nights. I'm hoping another father/daughter will join us. BTW,we're loving the PNW and our host family (the mayor) is great!

[ClarkGrswld4]

sounds like a great father/daughter trip! can't beat that experience at 16 regardless of the results

[CDM]

Still a great experience for her. I hope she gets the experience from it. It may not have went her way today, the experience at 16 though is huge. A couple of more years and she will be ready to move up in the bracket. Playing with D1 players is a big help, I am sure they have a lot of top tourney exp..should help just playing with them.

[buzlin]

This is a great thread. Envious of your trip! I hope one day to do similar things with my kid/s. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[QMany]

I'm jealous! Let us know how Bandon goes. It is one of my favorite places on earth.

[dpb5031]

We are heading down to Bandon tomorrow and playing Old Mac after lunch. Friday we've got Bandon Dunes in the morning, and Trails on the afternoon. Saturday morning we play Pacific Dunes and then depart.

It also looks like a couple of my buddies might be joining us! I'm very much looking forward to this.

[QMany]

[quote name='dpb5031' timestamp='1439398713' post='12124148']
We are heading down to Bandon tomorrow and playing Old Mac after lunch. Friday we've got Bandon Dunes in the morning, and Trails on the afternoon. Saturday morning we play Pacific Dunes and then depart.

It also looks like a couple of my buddies might be joining us! I'm very much looking forward to this.
[/quote]
That sounds like a perfect itinerary. Trails is great in the afternoon when the winds pick up as its tucked away. Let us know your favorite, everyone has a different one. Try to make time for the Preserve and Punchbowl!

[dan360]

Glad to hear the trip is an enjoyable one. Sorry your daughter didn't have an epic run, but the experience is a life event and she has a tremendous upside---bright future.


The weather here has been amazing---almost too dry. Have a wonderful time @ Bandon!

[dpb5031]

Got to Bandon today around noon. After a few hiccups we got our room and went out and played Old Mac. A couple of my buddies flew out last night and joined us!!! We all played the same tees, around 6400.

I loved the course. My daughter loved the views and aesthetics, but wasn't wild about the course design itself. Not really a surprise as she prefers traditional US parkland layouts. Anyway, my daughter and I both shot 78 and my buddies were in the low 80s. I was giving shots to them and lost a few bucks, but tomorrow's another day...lol!

[Capitalist!]

Keep us updated... I m headed out at end of September...

[zer0]

[quote name='alfriday' timestamp='1437575758' post='11999174']
What about staying and watching the end of the tournament? Yes Bandon is a great course and would be fun to play and a good experience for you and your daughter, but it might be better in the long run to have your daughter watch (and learn) the rest of the tourney and to get to know some of the other golfers.
[/quote]

Are you smoking crack right now?

A chance to play Bandon vs a chance to watch a bunch of spoiled teenagers play golf?

OP, here's what you do. Bring your clubs and then secretly root for her to get knocked out early so you can have extra time at Bandon!

[CDM]

WOW... not to sure how cool it would be to root against your daughter. I am pretty sure if I did that my wife would take half LOL.....






[i]but then again it is Bandon =)[/i]

[Hackster]

She will like trails then. More trees. Have a great time⛳️

[dpb5031]

We returned to NJ on the red eye overnight. This really turned into the trip of a lifetime.

First of all, for those wave have never been a part of a USGA national championship, you just have no idea how incredible that experience is. This was our second, last year going to the Girl's Junior. The USGA, the host club (in this case Portland Golf Club), and the community, ensure that no expense is spared. From F&B, live music, course conditions, hospitality, etc., everything was absolutely perfect.

My daughter missed the match play cut, but still had a great time and learned a lot. She's got to learn how to post a good number even when she doesn't have her best stuff. It's something all good players have to learn if they want to succeed at the highest levels. Even though she didn't score as well as she would have liked, a number of college coaches came out to watch her and word got back to us that they were very impressed with her swing, her power, and her positive attitude.

I'll continue on about Bandon in my next post...

[Capitalist!]

Always a fine line between loving and pushing with teenage girls...

Ready for Bandon review... My trip is tight... Debating Preserve, Shorty's par 3 and Punch Bowl... May not have time...

[dpb5031]

We drove down to Bandon Thursday morning. It took us 4 hours and 15 min., a long drive, but really no big deal.

Upon arrival we checked in at the main lodge and moved into a Chrome Lake loft. The accommodations are minimalist, but nice. Apparently, so is the staff..lol. They don't give you a ton of info, so it takes a good half a day to figure out the lay of the land.

My two buddies arrived shortly after us and we played Old MacDonald. The weather was perfect, 70 degrees and only 15 mph winds. We played somewhere between 6300-6400 yards on all courses. It was as much as we needed and my daughter played the same tees. My buddies are a 7 hc and a 9, and she out drove them throughout the week. My suggestion is don't try to be macho and play it back. We saw many chops playing tees beyond their ability. What fun is it shooting 97x?

Friday we play Bandon Dunes in the morning and started off with mist, some rain, and some wind. It was the only inclement weather of the entire trip and we were happy to get the true flavor of links golf on the Pacific. We were also happy when the sun came back out! I had my worst round at Bandon, 85. The greens were not in good shape, but the course is amazing.

My daughter and one buddy took a break in the afternoon, so my other buddy and I slugged it out with a money match on Bandon Trails. He's a 9 and I give him 3 a side. We played one "in flight" press a side plus 2 down autos. In the end we halved the overall, but I picked up a couple of presses. I hit 3 par fives in 2 and didn't birdie any of them. Shot 79 and loved Bandon Trails. Coor/Crenshaw did an amazing job with the layout and it's super-fun to play!

Saturday morning we played as a foursome again at Pacific Dunes. This one is the hardest to play and the most visually impressive, which is saying a lot. The prevailing wind was howling 30 mph. My daughter played great and shot 77. I shot 83 with a birdie on 18 after hitting it in 2! obviously was a nice way to finish!

In the end it was well worth it and we all loved it. The memories and photos of being there with my daughter are priceless. It is a very expensive proposition though, especially when your paying for 2.

One point regarding caddies. The first round my daughter and one buddy took rickshaws, my other buddy and I requested caddies. They sent us one caddy who double bagged. I know he liked earning the double fee, but there was no value in it for us. It slowed us down and took away from the experience. Subsequent rounds we requested and each got our own caddy and it was MUCH better. I tipped extra since he helped my daughter with some yardages, etc.

I'll post some photos next...

[dpb5031]

Having some trouble uploading photos, but here's one