6 Days in Heaven on Earth, Bandon Dunes

[nutmegchoi]

We were supposed to be in the UK for the Open Championship and 5 rounds at St. Andrews.

But UK still put us in 10 day quarantine (even for those fully vaccinated) until July 19th.

So we had to cancel the Open and push St. Andrews to early September.

 

Meanwhile, we scrambled last minute trip to Bandon Dunes.

Lodging was fully booked until November, 2022.

But with the huge help from Samantha, Patricia and Jasmine at reservations we were able to make the trip happen in 2 weeks notice.

A miracle.

 

July 14th 2021

 

Left our apartment 5am.

7am flight from JFK via Seattle to Eugene.

 

 

 

Picked up a rental start driving 2.5 hours to Bandon Dunes.

 

 

Finally arrived after 15 hour journey.

 

Because our trip was such a last minute, we'll be moving around within the resort 3 times.

First two nights at Chrome Lake Double.

Bit of away from the main lodge but the surrounding was gorgeous.

 

 

 

Grabbed a quick bite and a drink at McKee's.

 

 

7pm tee time at Bandon Preserve.

 

 

Par-3 13 hole was a perfect introduction to 5 18 hole courses.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to McKee's to unwind.

I think we were up 22 hours and because of added 3 hours, this day felt like lasting forever.

 

 

 

When we came back to our room, broken lock was fixed and birthday card and gift was waiting for me.

Bandon Dunes customer service is a whole different level!

 

 

July 15th 2021

 

Woke up late to have lunch in town.

Before we came, we couldn't believe the forecast.

It really was that beautiful every single day.

 

 

 

Bandon Dunes 3:40pm

 

We played with two other older gentleman who already played 18.

Watching them struggling helped me to make a decision to cancel replays.

 

 

 

 

16th around sunset was one of the most beautiful things I've seen.

 

 

This was my birthday round, so golf god gave me all the right kicks and bounces.

Shot 44/46, 90 with one birdie at par-4 4th hole and 4 pars.

 

We play dollar per hole skins.

Won $8 out of my boyfriend's pocket.

 

 

 

Dinner was at Trails End.
Unfortunately, they didn't have fish tacos anymore.

 

 

July 16th 2021

 

Breakfast at Trails End.

 

 

 

Bandon Trails 9:40am

 

 

 

We played with father & son and they were joy to walk with.

 

 

Sort par-4 with a thumb of a green kept me crossing the green 9 times and marked me 12 strokes.

3 straight pars last 3 holes saved my scorecard.

46/51, 97 with 4 pars.

 

 

After two very comfortable nights at Chrome Lake Double, we moved to The Inn Forest King which's located by Bandon Dunes' 18th green.

 

 

 

 

The room's smaller but cheaper.

Also has a nice outdoor seating area where we spent every night watching sunset and stars (and drinking).

 

 

 

July 17th 2021

 

Old McDonald 9:20am
 

We weren't paired with anyone, so it was just us and our caddie.

 

 

 

 

 

Almost had another hole in one at the 5th hole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First time seeing marine layer.

It was a cool experience.

 

46/51, 97 with 2 birdies (par-3 5th hole & par-4 14th hole) and 4 pars.

Too many doubles ruined the scorecard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by nutmegchoi

[nutmegchoi]

I'm relatively a new golfer.

 

Got a set of beginner clubs 2015 Christmas and started taking lessons 2016 & 2017.

2018 finally started playing 18 holes when I could move along with a foursome.

 

My index before Bandon was 21.8 and now 20.3.

 

So this trip report isn't so much about the course info.

I just would like to share my experience at a great golf resort and maybe you can get something you didn't get elsewhere since my approach is bit different.

 

July 18th 2021

 

Sheep Ranch 9:10am

 

First round at Bandon Dunes, our caddie called 15mph wind "breezy".

I didn't quite get it until we had 25-35mph wind at Sheep Ranch.

 

I still haven't broke 90 yet and everybody told me Sheep Ranch will be the one I'll make it happen.

Wrong.

My swing fell apart and I wasn't getting much help from my caddie.

(in fact, the caddie was hurting my game)

 

Regardless.

Sheep Ranch might be the most beautiful golf course I've ever seen.

 

We played with an old couple from Seattle.

They were both in their 70’s and the husband is going to be 80 this Christmas.

It was such an inspiration to see someone in near 80’s can be out walking and playing golf (physically and financially).

When I grow old, I want to be just like them.

Be able to do things I love with someone I’m in love with.

 

 

 

 

 

I did bomb this drive (for me) 58 yard in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even when you play like crap, how can you ever have a bad day with the view like this?

Impossible!

 

 

Almost another hole in one!
You can hear my boyfriend is having a meltdown in the background. lol

 

 

From 16th to 17th hole.

 

 

 

 

52/57, 109 with only 1 par.

Now I must come back for a rematch!

 

 

Moving day again.

 

We stayed our last night in the resort at Lilly Pond.

Another great room with a small patio setting.

 

 

 

 

We set out drinking, watching the sunset and met our neighbors to share stories and drinks.

 

 

 

July 19th 2021

 

Start with nice breakfast at Pacific Grill.

 

Never had Marionberry Smoothie before.

Or Siskiyouberry Jam!

 

 

 

Pacific Dunes 9:50am

 

 

At work, I would watch Bandon Dunes live cam every morning.

I've been watching the footages so long, I couldn't pass up the chance I can be in one of them!

 

 

 

 

I was determined not to repeat the previous day, so I don't have as much photos and videos from the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recovered a little bit from the previous day.

52/47, 99 with 1 par.

 

 

It was so hard to leave the place I fell in love with.
But my non believer boyfriend already start talking about next time.

So all isn't lost.

 

On the way back to Eugene, we saw pack of Elk.

 

 

When in Eugene. 

 

 

 

 

Driving and flying separate in two days was a little easier.

Still we left Eugene at 1pm and landed in JFK 11:30pm (added 3 hours).

 

It's a really tough journey to get to, but I would go back every year if I could.

I dare to say Bandon Dunes is my new favorite place in the world.

Can't wait to go back!

 

Edited July 24, 2021 by nutmegchoi

[texas_tom]

O...M...G...

 

That's insane that you could get a reservation for this year!! Congrats!

 

[nutmegchoi]

1 minute ago, texas_tom said:

O...M...G...

 

That's insane that you could get a reservation for this year!! Congrats!

 

 

We finalized our trip on July 5th, 9 days before the departure. 

I guess I got really lucky with my birthday this year.

I felt so lucky and blessed every single moment I was in Bandon.

Grateful for everything in life.

[Lefty_89]

Fantastic pictures and report! Always love reading a review from a first-timer and looking forward to part 2.

 

Hate you put you in this spot...but what does your course ranking look like? 👀

Edited July 23, 2021 by Lefty_89

[nutmegchoi]

Extra

 

If you fly into Seattle to layover somewhere from the east, sit on the right side to see Mt. Baker.

 

 

Flying into Eugene sit on the left, flying out of Eugene sit on the right.

You can see Mt. Jefferson, Hood, St. Helens, Adams and Rainier.

 

 

 

Driving from Eugene to Bandon is very scenic.

It is two lane road can be blocked by campers.

So try to stay on I-5 as long as possible.

Otherwise get comfortable and enjoy the ride.

 

 

Wild lives were everywhere!
Deer, squirrels, racoons and all kind of birds.

Wish we had a chance to see whales, dolphins and Tufted Puffins.

But evidently those are rather rare sightings. 

 

 

  

 

 

Try all restaurants and bars in the resort.

They all offer slightly different menus and vibes.

Personally, I LOVED the fireplace outside McKee's.

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed at 3 out of 5 lodging in the resort.

All were great except Lilly Pond doesn't have elevator mainly because it's only two stories.

If you have a lot of luggages to haul, make sure to ask for the ground level.

 

North Bend is a lot easier option since it's only 45 mins drive to the resort.

But we also heard there's only one flight a day and can be canceled (then you are really screwed).

We also overheard a guy having a meltdown with an airline losing his luggage and golf bag flying into North Bend.

So maybe we'll just ship our sticks to the resort and try to carry our luggage next time flying in and out of North Bend.

 

 

I got excited and over packed.

More than half of my luggage was filled with things I didn't need.

You know what you need and don't over pack.

Each course has it's own proshop you'll end up buying something anyways.

Travel light and have some room to fill.

 

My favorite souvenir from the trip.
One of our caddies gave me the looper hat for my birthday.

 

 

My boyfriend is not a walker.

He prefers cart and never played more than a few days in a row.

I love walking and I played 12 days straight before.

Walking wasn't an issue for me but it was for my boyfriend.

Frankly I thought he was going to drop out one of 6 rounds but he stuck around!

He even wanted to replay on the last day (now that was just a crazy talk) but his body physically couldn't afford it.

I brought massage gun to massage his feet, legs and back every night/morning to glue him back together for the day.

Bring one if you have one.

I know it'll add weight on your luggage but that could save your day.

 

18 a day, our feet weren't the issue.

Even the sunburn wasn't too bad.

Lips were the problem!

I didn't know what sun and wind can do to your lips.

Make sure to apply lip balm whenever, where ever.

Specially the one with the sun protection and extra moisture.

 

White feet, don't care.

 

 

Hire caddie.

Hire one and listen to your caddie.

I truly believe my 3 caddies helped me tremendously to score decent in 4 courses.

(except the one from Sheep Ranch)

They have caddie storages, so make your reserve way ahead of time.

 

Take out all the junk out of your golf bag you don't need.

You don't want any extra weight to carry, push or make your caddie to carry.

I saw a guy had an extra pair of golf shoes in his bag.

Seriously why would you ever need that???

 

I think that's about it for now.

If I remember any, I'll add later.

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by nutmegchoi

[geochitown]

great photos and what a special experience for you and bf

 

Definitely makes me wanna go, what golfer wouldn't want to?

[NJBigFish22]

Looks like you had a fantastic time!  Happy belated Birthday!

[nutmegchoi]

3 hours ago, Lefty_89 said:

Fantastic pictures and report! Always love reading a review from a first-timer and looking forward to part 2.

 

Hate you put you in this spot...but what does your course ranking look like? 👀

 

Mine:

 

1. Pac Dunes

2. Bandon Dunes

3. Sheep Ranch

4. Old Mac

5. Trails

 

Boyfriend:

 

1. Bandon Dunes

2. Sheep Ranch

3. Old Mac

4. Pac Dunes

5. Trails

All these courses are so great, I think ranking also can change based on the weather and your scorecard.

 

 

[spud3]

Great writeup - awesome pictures!

[Edaw68]

Great report!

[R.J.H.]

Excellent post! Thanks for sharing. 

 

I am headed to Bandon in early September for the first time. Cannot wait. 

[Thornbrugh]

That was excellent! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to be back on property in November. 

[flip flappy]

Wow! I know you had a great time because I did just looking at this! What a way to spend your birthday. I hope to some day be able to make a trip to Bandon and this thread has really added to the urge. Thank you for sharing this incredible trip with us. 

[soregongolfer]

Great pics.  I think this is my new favorite Bandon thread.  

 

You're right about what the sand and wind will do to ones lips.  I played Bandon when it was the only course there and i told myself I would never go back after the beating my face and lips took.  Thankfully I broke that promise. 🙂

[buzlin]

Awesome write up! Glad you experienced what Bandon is all about, great golf, people, resort, food, and vibe.  You got the bonus, nice weather!

[BirdieWonder]

What a great write up.  This is Day 1 of my exploration of planning a trip to Bandon Dunes, also from the East Coast.  Thanks for sharing at the pics, videos and details.  And Happy Belated Birthday;)

[nutmegchoi]

1 hour ago, BirdieWonder said:

What a great write up.  This is Day 1 of my exploration of planning a trip to Bandon Dunes, also from the East Coast.  Thanks for sharing at the pics, videos and details.  And Happy Belated Birthday;)

 

You gonna love it and can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

Thank you!

Although, my birthday is coming up in 3 months again.

It's going to be my 50th and we are going to the open championship and 11 days in Ireland.

Another trip report "15 days in Heaven on earth, Scotland & Ireland" coming! 😄

[AMM315]

heading back next week and after following your trip via yours posts I'm that much more excited. Excellent job documenting!