Bar Run, Roseburg

[spud3]

Considering playing Bar Run on the way down to Bandon this year.

 

Who's played it and what did you think?  Looks really nice from the photos on the web site, and Dan Hixson is the architect of my favorite course not located on the Southern Oregon Coast (Wine Valley).

[soregongolfer]

If they're going to charge you $95 with a cart, I'd say seek another place to play.  It's okay.  It's short with 6 par 3's.  There is a lot of water all over the course.  Last summer, there were some fairways that hadn't grown in yet.  The greens were rock hard the two times I've played it, so hit your approach shots short and allow them to run up.   

 

I heard from a friend, who played it a few weeks ago, that there was standing water all over which is surprising considering it sits on an old sand and gravel mine.  I think it's $65 with a cart right now. 

 

As for after the round, there is no clubhouse to relax in.  There's a tent, but it's pretty cold right now for that.  I think course conditions will probably be better in the future, but it's not worth the money right now IMHO.  In fact, I can't see myself ever paying $95.   

Edited January 30 by soregongolfer

[13ITZ]

Played it on our way back from Bandon last October, so the full 18 was relatively newly opened. One of the caddies with our group at Trails recommended it so we squeezed it in.

 

Course overall is alright, some interesting concepts but it's really tight and not very long. Almost got hit multiple times by groups on other holes like it was a firing range. Greens were in decent shape at the time. Paths weren't well marked so it was hard to tell where you were going, but they did have GPS in the carts which is a decent touch when there is water hidden on a lot of holes and gave you a warning about groups around being reachable with your shots.

 

No clubhouse as was mentioned and no driving range at the time, so it was just the golf. If it's on your route, maybe it's worth it to you to play and maybe it suits you. Design was interesting with what they had to work with. It was our 6th round in 6 days so energy was pretty low with the group which might have influenced the experience as well.

Edited January 29 by 13ITZ
Added the bit about the caddy recommendation

[wingedfeetxc]

I played it last summer and liked it a lot. But know what you're going into – if you're looking for a "traditional" course that's par 72 and 7,000 yards, this is what what you're looking for.

 

But if you don't mind some quirk, have a good short game and are open-minded, you'll have a lot of fun. It's unlikely anyone on this forum has played it, but it reminds me a lot of the awesome Keney Park in Hartford, CT: open off the tee but with some crazy greens and golden age-inspired design elements. 

 

Even though it tops out at 6,200 yards, it's a par 70; it plays longer than the yardage. #14 at Bar Run is a 600 yard par 5 wrapped around a lake that's one of the harder holes I've ever played. Bar Run also has a recreation of one of the most fun holes anywhere in golf – North Berwick's par 4 13th "The Pit" hole. 

Would I pay $95 to play it? Probably not. But if you can grab a cheaper tee time, you'll have a good time.

 

[ksher84]

Played it today.  It was beautiful out.  It’s still being worked on, no range yet at least that i saw.  Short par 3s which I enjoy.  Greens and fairways were very nice.  Lots of water and there were a few spots that I looks like there may be more in the future.  They have quite a few RV spots and some nice looking tiny homes on the property.
 

 It was $65 with a cart but I believe that is the winter rate

Edited February 19 by ksher84
More info

[spud3]

Thanks for the info and photos, guys.  Looks like it is a worthwhile course to visit.  We're just waiting to get inside the 30-day booking window (seven more days), and we'll see how the weather shapes up.

[Serenity Now]

Is it walkable?  Going by there this summer

[Wardonation]

Dan Hixson did it. Great designer did Bandon Crossings but his best track is "Wine Valley"...

[spud3]

We're gonna have to skip it this year, as they are punching on the only day we can play.

 

Bummed, because I'm a fan of Hixson's work.  Next year!

[ksher84]

On 3/5/2023 at 6:41 PM, spud3 said:

We're gonna have to skip it this year, as they are punching on the only day we can play.

 

Bummed, because I'm a fan of Hixson's work.  Next year!

That's too bad but on the plus side I think they would have a lot more of the site completed including the driving range

On 3/5/2023 at 1:16 PM, Serenity Now said:

Is it walkable?  Going by there this summer

It's pretty flat, I think it would probably be the most comfortable course to walk locally

[soregongolfer]

On 3/6/2023 at 7:07 PM, ksher84 said:

That's too bad but on the plus side I think they would have a lot more of the site completed including the driving range

It's pretty flat, I think it would probably be the most comfortable course to walk locally

Nah, that would be the six hole course in Dillard. 😉

[ksher84]

 

 

[ThermalDan]

Don’t know any more about the course now than I did before watching the video.  Looked like a long shoe commercial

[soregongolfer]

I'm pretty sure those dudes aren't golfers.