Bandon Solstice 2022

[spud3]

Tanker99:

"How does one sign up to get notified about the event? Just found out about it, but would love try and sign up for next year."

 

 

Call the resort and ask to get added to the mailing list

Edited May 31, 2022 by spud3

[bdt]

If anyone is desperate to get in this year's solstice.  Seamus Golf just announced they're auctioning off a spot for 4.  Auction ends in a few days.  Here's the info:

 

https://freshwatertrust.betterworld.org/auctions/summer-solstice-at-bandon-dunes/items/summer-solstice-foursome?utm_source=SEAMUS GOLF - FRIENDS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Bandon Summer Solstice Auction&_kx=M3DKwfHwP1VKZIe3rIffLmCoRhoLal2OAv276qmPN1Q%3D.T2UcnT

[gaffs]

On 9/30/2021 at 3:07 PM, shackmangolf said:

Hey all - lets do a quick roll call so maybe we can get to know people before we show up at Solstice. 

 

My partner and I  (Shack and Bob) are both 4-5 handicaps. Playing in 2022 for the 3rd time. I am from Gulf Coast and my buddy is from NYC.  We did the 2019 Solstice and completed 90 in 1 day with 3 other great guys. 5 total made it that day. In 2020, we brought an addition 2 guys, one being a 25 handicapper and he had a blast. We finished 85 that day (preserve). This year, we haven't figured anything out except that we booked a wrap around trip for an extra couple of days. 

 

 

Been listening to your podcast. Great work . Got me hyped for this year.

[gaffs]

One week to go gents. 

 

Hope everyone is feeling fit and ready. 

[bdt]

A week from today we'll be recovering.  Safe travels to everyone participating.  Weather is looking clear but a little windy (as it almost always is this time of year).

[mojomover]

Excited! Going out Sunday, playing Sheep Ranch Sunday evening, and might do one round Monday morning, the rest of the guys in my group want to lay low. 

[MileHighGuye]

Excited to hear feedback!

[mojomover]

We participated in our first solstice and it was a blast. A bit of a background, we signed up as a 4some and of of the 4 of us, the handicaps range from 8-15, mostly fast players who usually complete our weekend rounds in 3 hours. We ranged in ages from 42 to 53 and we had been prepping for the solstice playing a few 36 holes locally and 54 holes once. A couple of us had been to Bandon earlier and a couple first timers. 

 

2 of us flew in on Sunday from SFO and 2 drove up from SFO, and we all co-incidentally arrived at the same time at the resort. The flight from SFO was uneventful, there were a bunch of other groups but no one participating in the solstice as such. The flight surprisingly was less than 50% full. Took the shuttle from aiport into the resort (~$70 per person round trip). 

 

This was the Sunday of the US OPen, so our lunch at the Lodge was a bit loud which was a bit unusual. Lots of activity and we could see that the staff was a bit overwhelmed. After lunch, we made a quick stop at the practice center and then went over to Sheep Ranch for our first round. Sheep Ranch for the first round was amazing, insanely awesome views, felt like every hole had an infinity green. The wind really picked up on the back 9, likely 30mph+ and made the last few holes a bit of a challenge. As an 8 handicapper, I ended up shooting 80 which I was very pleased with. Overall, we enjoyed Sheep Ranch for the views and some memorable holes but I could see why folks say it is most exposed to the wind. 

 

Next day the other 3 rested up and played Preserve while I played Bandon in the morning. Got paired up with 3 other singles, who all had their own caddie and a wife walking with her husband. So teeing off it felt like a small crowd was watching my swing lol but overall played well enough, especially on the back 9 to shoot 83. (+9 front and +2 back). 

 

Solstice Review from here on out: 

The evening they had a reception at the Punch Bowl- was well attended and we could see the swag they were giving out. This year they had 1- SEamus custom headcover for solstice 2- Jones Cooler bag 3- Solstice Wooden sign (cool one that says Par 286 24980 yards) 4- Therabody duo wave roller 5- Peter Millar T-shirt 6- Bandon Dunes towel and 7- a classy metal bag tag with survivor written on it. We messed around at the punch bowl, laughed at some of the outrageous pin positions there, had a beer each and headed out to dinner at The Tufted puffin. Early dinner and prepped for the long day ahead 

 

The day of the solstice: 

We were teeing off the back 9 at BD and we were the last group out. Being first timers, we were good with that and mentally, we thought playing 9/18/18/18/9 would make the first 9 equivalent to a range session. We also appreciated the bit of extra sleep! A light breakfast at the gallery at 5.15 (might be the earlier I have had breakfast in ages!), we waited around. A couple of nervous jokes later, we met our Caddies. One was 'Crazy' and one other guy who was someone who has been there like 15+ years. Both seemed like veterans at the solstice. My goal was to minimize the big numbers and play solid, and perhaps try to shoot around 340 for the day. After a couple of pretty solid pars on the first 3 holes, I got into a bogey train for a while, to finish +5 on the first 9, not bad for a no warm up start. Side note: It was interesting to see that part of the course that early in the day, especially 16. We got our first 9 done in about 1.20 and when we got done, a shuttle was wating to take us to PD. We quickly walked over to the tee and realize we were already 1-1.5 holes behind. 

 

PD was in perfect shape, and I had probably my best stretch of golf in a while to shoot even on the front 9 (birdie 2 and bogeyed 7). By the time we got to the 10th hole, we had caught up with group ahead. I under estimated how difficult PD is to walk, pretty much all the tee boxes and greens are elevated, but the group overall was still feeling pretty good. Felt like a regular weekend round for the most part. Continued my decent round on the back 9 too and ended up with +2, for a 73, which is by far the lowest I have ever scored at any of the Bandon properties in my 8 rounds there. Had a legitimate shot at even par if not for a boneheaded 3 putt on 16 and bad hybrid on 17. We got the second round done in about 3.20, so 11am

 

They provided lunch after the round at PD- and for whatever its worth, I had requested vegetarian options for my buddy and O earlier and they were able accommodate it. 

 

After a quick shoe change while waiting for the shuttle, we got to OM and teed off at around 11.15. The wind by now had picked up a fair bit, was almost 1.5-2 club strong. Also, the greens were much slower at OM compared to PD, so took on a couple of 3 putts. After a few bogeys, mostly on par 3's ended up with a +4 on the front 9. After the front 9, they had shuttled in the new caddies to swap as caddies who were double bagging could only do 36 holes (though our caddies were obviously very much interested in going 72!). The new caddies were much younger and much less experienced with Solstice. The back 9 started to start impacting the groups swing, especially around 14-16. I finally had my first blow up hole on 18 where I sliced my drive into the right side fairway bunker and ended up with a double. But overall happy with a 82 on OM. We got done at OM in around 3.30 (~2.45pm) After a brief break while waiting for the shuttle, we boarded the shuttle to sheep ranch. Everyone was still upbeat as the feeling was SR was the last round and the 9 at BD was not going to be an issue. 

 

Sheep ranch was brutal, about 30mph steady wind and maybe gusting around 40mph+. The wind really started to impact the swing and we also started to see that the group ahead was slowing down quite a bit. We were starting to wait around every 2-3 holes and that was having an impact our fatigue. The highlight of the front 9 was almost eagling 9 with a putt from 45 yards out. Overall, good front but for the most part, the front 9 is not as impacted by the wind. The back was a different story, brutally tough wind and we were waiting for the group ahead and we were also looking for a lot more stray balls. We were getting hit by sand on 16/17 from the beach down the cliffs but somehow survived the round with a birdie on 18 and shot 84.  

 

We finally finished Sheep at around 6.40pm, for a pace of 3.50ish and now waited around for the shuttle to get us all the way back to BD again. That was a long shuttle ride and were teeing off at 7ish. The wind was a bit less but still 25-30mph here. . Again, we were waiting for the group ahead on a bunch of holes. We were debating whether we could jump ahead of them as they seemed to be atleast 2+ holes behind. Nothing super eventful, the feet and back were sore obviously but we completed the last 9 in around 2hours. Played around bogey golf here. Ball striking was ok, but the mental toughness to focus on putting was tough, so ended up scoring bogey golf. 

 

At the end of the 9, we got the crisp $100 bill and was amazing feeling! We had the organized dinner at McKees and were able to bask in the achievement and heard a few stories from others. 

 

The next day was surprisingly not bad, we all recovered fairly well, much better than I had expected to be. I was tempted to sneak in a round at either preserve or trails but decided to just relax, do some shopping. 

 

Overall, the event was super well run and while I am not sure I would do it every year, might consider doing it one more time. 

 

a Few thoughts: 

1. Though we played fast, we never really felt rushed. There was a group behind us for a couple of holes but they paced themselves a bit too

2. I think taking caddies was good for the first time especially but some times the double caddies set up might have slowed us down. I wish they could have allowed single caddies for 72 holes which seemed to be offered to some folks (maybe they signed up as singles?)

3. I thought this would be brutal on the last few rounds but overall, I think our swing held up decent enough. Ignoring the course splits, I shot 5/6/11/17 over for each of the 18's which seemed reasonable (and I more than broke my goal, thanks to some completely lights out random round at PD)

4. The swag they gave was super cool, maybe the best set of stuff given out for free

5. Random thought- the selection in all the shops was disappointing. Lots of product without the common sizes (M/L) and limited selection in general

6. Lots of water, lots of protein bars. Disappointed they did not have as many bananas though. Tough to peel an orange and walk/swing 🙂

7. I would recommend a first time Bandon visitor to NOT sign up for the solstice unless they are spending a few days earlier to play all the courses. It takes away from the appreciation of the design and uniqueness of each course when you are playing tired or playing fast

 

Ok- this is a long post but hopefully helps folks as they consider signing up for next year. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, happy to chime in. 

 

 

[Suggs]

Transcendent: Bandon Dunes Solstice  72 holes in one day!

I waited for 3 years to finally be one of the chosen few to participate in the the Bandon Dunes Summer Solstice which is held on the longest day of the year. 

I knew going in that this would be a challenge but I had no idea how much.  Let me start by stated the obvious. Bandon Dunes Rock!! The collective body of courses are simply amazing.  The temperature on June 21st in Oregon was a perfect 65 degrees 

The staff and accommodations were top shelve as well. It’s a little pricy but if you are going to play 72 holes in one day, pony up for the cost and make it happen. 

Now let’s talk about the golf. You start your day around 4:30am with Breakfast and then off to the “ shotgun” start on 4 of the most beautiful golf courses in the world ( see golf digest rankings) Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes, Old McDonald and most recently opened Sheep Ranch. 

My group was pretty solid — a foursome of 2 scratch golfers an a 5 handicap. Me, ok I am right at a 12 handicap. So I was playing with some really good golfers.  Our first round started at a little after 6 am and was completed in 3 hours and 4 minutes. A solid pace. The second round was completed in 2 hours and 54 minutes. Again a great pace of golf. Starting the third round, I started to feel it in my legs and thinking to myself that I still have 2 more rounds of this?  Please keep in mind there are no breaks or pulses for lunch. You hop on a shuttle to next course, change your shoes and socks and keep rolling. 

We finished our third round in 3 hours and 35 minutes much slower than the previous 2 rounds and by the time we got to our last round of golf at Pacific Dunes my entire body could feel it. Pacific is the most beautiful but also the most difficult to walk. It took everything I had to complete this round. We finished this round in 3 hours and 54 minutes. To put his in prospective the fastest group of day finished each round in 2 hours and 11 minutes.  I know sick right ? There were a total of around 140 golfers who participated. 

So what does all of this mean and why would anyone in their right mind try to do this? 

To me it’s being transcendent with golf. It’s going above and beyond to see what you are capable of. It’s pushing the body and mind to see what is possible. I walked 24 miles that day and had over 300 golf swings.  To complete a par that day,: 286 Par and 24,928 yards of golf courses. 

My caddie was world class: Sam —- this dude carried my bag for 72 holes and never , ever, complaint and kept a very high energy level. Not sure how because I was hurting. 

Your reward :   Long lasting friendships, you become apart of an elite group of golfers with this opportunity and oh by the way a group is waiting for you on the final 18 hole with a crisp $100 dollar bill as your reward of completion. Yes it will be framed. 

Suggestions: 

    1.    If you are not a 15 handicap or below, I would not recommend you play this. 15 is pushing it. 
    2.    Train your abs, legs and shoulders - you will need them 
    3.    Stay hydrated and keep pounding the snacks 
    4.    You get a bag lunch after the second round that you can eat on the shuttle, eat it!!
    5.    That changing your socks shoes thing is real between rounds 
    6.    You are a crazy person to drink any alcohol while playing. Wait until the end of day. It will be worth it. 
    7.    Don’t be a hero. Try to hit consistent shots to minimize the walk. The fairway is your friend. Trust me I had more steps then anyone else in my group.
    8.    Last:  USE A CADDIE!!!!!!!   Your back will thank you later. 

If you can get in, go for it. Bandon continues to raise the bar on golf excellence. This is just another example.

I know consider myself - solstice champion 

What’s say you ? 

Sean Suggs 

 

[gaffs]

For those interested, im selling my Seamus headcover from the 2022 solstice on the GolfWrx Classifieds...

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

On 9/27/2021 at 4:48 PM, spud3 said:

And be prepared to pay the full amount (for all players) at the time of registration.

 

It should be free!  Afterall, the sun and earth are not charging Bandon for its show.