New Par 3 course at Bandon

Edaw68 · May 14, 2016

Just saw this on Golf.com. Interesting.

http://www.golf.com/courses-and-travel/bandon-dunes-add-tom-doak-designed-par-three-course

spud3 · May 14, 2016

Ooh, that's good news... I'd like to think it could happen fairly quickly (< 1 year), given that Doak has already staked out the routing.

Can you imagine... two par three courses in one spot, and designed by C & C and Doak...?

One could almost make a weekend out of it, and bring nothing longer than a 6 iron.

jkd9977 · May 14, 2016

We saw the flags out when we were there in April. Looks like a great piece of property for another par 3.

QMany · May 14, 2016

Yesss!!!

Edaw68 · May 15, 2016

Yesss!!!

Yeah, I'm excited.

buzlin · May 16, 2016

Such a good resource for shoulder and low seasons, when 36 isn't an option. Or when 36 isn't quite enough! Bandon keeps getting better if that's even possible!

oregongolf · May 18, 2016

I hope it's like Preserve where they find 2 other holes that are just begging to be added. Honestly, 13 holes is the perfect amount for the par 3 course there.

The group I take has the most fun playing the Preserve and it's not even close. Adding another into the mix is awesome.

duffer987 · May 25, 2016

I'd rather they built a 9 hole executive course than another par 3 course.

Doak goes on about all of these great 'small course' options in the UK that no one builds here and having Kieser's ear you thought he could have swayed him to go that route instead.

The Pearl · May 25, 2016

I'd rather they built a 9 hole executive course than another par 3 course.
Doak goes on about all of these great 'small course' options in the UK that no one builds here and having Kieser's ear you thought he could have swayed him to go that route instead.

Neat idea, or even a real live 9 hole course for those that want to play 27, but not the full 36. Or maybe experiment with a 12 hole course with two 6 hole loops that return to the starter's hut/Pro Shop.

duffer987 · May 25, 2016

I'd rather they built a 9 hole executive course than another par 3 course.
Doak goes on about all of these great 'small course' options in the UK that no one builds here and having Kieser's ear you thought he could have swayed him to go that route instead.

Neat idea, or even a real live 9 hole course for those that want to play 27, but not the full 36. Or maybe experiment with a 12 hole course with two 6 hole loops that return to the starter's hut/Pro Shop.

Ya, call it the "Getaway Nine" or the "Arrival Nine"... 12 hole course could work too. A full 9 would be preferable (selfishly for me) than an executive 9, but I'd prefer either to more par 3 golf. Just strikes me as a lack of creativity on their part. After playing The Preserve, I would again if my mates reaaaally wanted to play it, otherwise I'm choosing as many replay holes as I could fit in on one of the big courses.

Edaw68 · May 25, 2016

I wonder if the par 3 route was decided on because of available space? Looking at google earth, the area where it looks like the new course is going is at most as big as the area of the Preserve. Might be kinda tight. Of course this is my guess with no actual facts and essentially no knowledge of golf course architecture to form my opinion. I love the internet!!

spud3 · May 26, 2016

I think that's probably correct. As cool at it would be to have a Baby Dunes executive course, I don't think you'd get more than four or five decent par 4's in that space.

I'm just excited to see what Doak can do with a par 3 format. C&C carved a gem out of that small parcel of dunes.

I'm sure Doak is chomping at the bit to match it.

The Pearl · May 26, 2016

I am sure they have thought about just a 9 hole course, but as you guys have reasoned there is simply not enough room. I love The Preserve. I am not a cheap guy and am usually not price sensitive, but I do think the pricing for the The Preserve is far too high. I am sure they know what they are doing, but the price to play there just seems like a bit of a fumble to me. As Duffer said above, it is pretty hard to justify it when you can replay on the big boy courses.

duffer987 · May 26, 2016

Agreed. If they couldn't get a decent 9 hole par 31/32 (or there-abouts) course out of it they shouldn't try and pigeon hole something in there.

But they have done everything pretty much perfect to this point with the resort, so maybe my expectations are too high.

Formalize Sheep Ranch into the 5th full course and they don't really have much left to do there, but keep things ticking over nicely.

buzlin · May 26, 2016

I do like the idea/plan that the new par-3 course will have some longer holes (long irons/hybrids/fws). The shortness of the (albeit fun) tee shots at the Preserve get a tad monotonous, imo.

njlam · May 29, 2016

Any idea when this new course will open?

My annual trip is in November and we usually play the Preserve as a warm up in the morning before one of the 18 hole courses in the afternoon.

An additional par-3 would be great.

TheDailyDuffer · May 30, 2016

Any idea when this new course will open?

My annual trip is in November and we usually play the Preserve as a warm up in the morning before one of the 18 hole courses in the afternoon.

An additional par-3 would be great.

No idea when it opens (work hasn't even started yet), but i can promise you it won't be open for your trip in November. Unlikely to be open for your trip next november either.