College Graduation Trip - My Bandon Dunes Experience

[bjackson]

 

 

Well, I just graduated college. My 3 1/2 years at the University of Oregon were life changing in the best of ways. While yes, I earned my degree (B.S. in Economics) and took other classes that educated me, fulfilling scholastic requirements, I more importantly grew as a person. The life skills I developed from living away from home, relationships I built, and an overall growth in maturity and wisdom are my biggest takeaways. Needless to say it was a great experience. So what better way to cap off my higher education journey than with a little golf trip with some friends?

 

Once it was evident I would indeed be graduating a term early and just prior to spring break, I had the idea brewing that I needed to take my first buddies golf trip. I did Las Vegas last spring break with friends, so while that is a popular destination I wanted to go somewhere new. Bandon Dunes, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from school, quickly became the frontrunner. The top ranked golf resort in the nation, per Golf Digest, certainly has a ton to offer. Needless to say after picking my three friends whom would be joining me, all of whom I played alongside with on the Oregon Club Golf team, it was nothing more than making the reservations. I made my reservations in early February for the end of March. The trip was made for 3 days and 3 nights, including rounds at all four resort courses: Bandon Trails, Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, and Old Macdonald. We also decided to room on site to help save money on greens fees and help make logistics easier. One of my friends was a caddy at the Bandon Dunes Resort the last couple of summers and another is a huge golf course architecture nut and had been to Bandon several times, so we opted to walk carry our own bags and not to get caddies.

 

Prior to making the trek down to Bandon it was recommended to me by my friend and fellow moderator beuro to buy and read Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes, so I did. It not only got me even more excited for the trip but helped clue me in to how Bandon Dunes came to be about, why certain things were done, and a general understanding of the resort's history. I highly recommend it to all golfers, especially those who have been to Bandon Dunes or plan on one day going.

 

We got into Bandon last Wednesday night and made our first trip to the lodge to get checked in. While our original reservations had been made to stay in the Lily Pond (2 rooms at $220 per room per night), after talking to the people at the front desk, having made note I had just graduated college and this was my grad trip, we were ever so kindly upgraded. Needless to say after opening the door to what would be our residence for the duration of the trip, my buddies and I were all giddy with glee. We ended up staying in The Grove, a four bedroom, four bath cottage that Bandon lists at $1800 a night. Talk about the right way to begin a trip, all before any of us hit a golf ball! King beds and private bathrooms for each one of us, nice front entry way, and a great living room area that has a fireplace made us all feel like we were living in the lap of luxury. After getting moved in, we headed into town for dinner. We went to The Station, a nice little local spot. Our server, who was also let us know he worked on the grounds at Bandon Dunes, said we might run into him when we played Bandon Trails, which was just finishing up renovation. After wrapping up with dinner we headed to a local grocery store to purchase snacks and such for the course, then it was back to The Grove and an early bedtime in order for an early wake up the next morning.

 

Thursday was one of the most indescribable golf experiences I've ever had or most likely will have. My friend Connor, the golf course architecture guy of the group, was able to get us out to the Bally Bandon Sheep Ranch, often just referred to as The Sheep Ranch. To be honest I'd be doing it a dishonor in trying to describe what it was like. An additional parcel of land just north of Old Macdonald, The Sheep Ranch is a golf complex that left me in a state of nirvana like I've never felt before. Consisting of 13 greens and an assortment of fairways, The Sheep Ranch isn't exactly a golf course, but rather a golf paradise. You essentially find a flat spot next to a green, pick your destination green, and play. No par, no assigned holes (though we were provided an optional 18 hole routing that included yardages and par). We arrived at 8:45am and left around 7:30pm. I think we played somewhere between 40-50 holes. Oh, did I mention we had the entire place to ourselves for the day? It was something else. Following the golf we got dinner, again in town, at Rancho Viejo, a great little Mexican restaurant. After dinner it was back to The Grove, where all four of us fell asleep before 10pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With my alarm going off at 6am Friday, it was time to start the second day of golf. After a session at the practice facility (Bandon Dunes easily has the largest practice facility I've ever been to), we headed off to Bandon Trails, our first round of the day to followed by Bandon Dunes in the afternoon. 36 holes a day seems to be the norm for most resort guests. Bandon Trails just experienced a renovation and we were in the third group off, the third group that got to play the course post-renovation. Talk about great timing. After striping an iron off the tee, wedging my ball onto the green, and just missing my birdie, I was happy to start off the round with a tidy par. We were also graced on the first hole by the most perfect rainbow I have ever seen in person over the ocean. Backed into the trees for most of the round, I really enjoyed the Coore & Crenshaw design. At the conclusion of 18 holes I had thoroughly enjoyed myself, save the fact that I didn't play my best and carded my highest score of the trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After grabbing lunch at the Tufted Puffin Lounge in the lodge (the mac & cheese was quite delectable) we teed off on Bandon Dunes. I played much better golf in the afternoon and notched several of my best shots of the trip. While the wind had started to pick up some, it wasn't terrible. Seeing so many scenic holes one after another really is a testament to not only the location of the property, but the thought and effort of the designers and most importantly Mike Keiser, the man behind Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. On the par 4 16th, one of the most photogenic holes I've ever played, I very happily walked away with birdie after taking a very aggressive line at the hole with driver, putting the ball just over the green. As it says above the Bandon Dunes pro shop 'Golf as it was meant to be...' and it indeed is. At the end of the round our group went to McKee's Pub, just off the 18th green, and had dinner while catching up on March Madness. Again it would be an early night in preparation for another early morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last day at the resort was spent playing the other two resort courses, Pacific Dunes and Old Macdonald. After another warm up at the range, we headed to the Pacific Dunes pro shop to check in where we learned there was an hour frost delay. This allowed us to grab a nice buffet breakfast at the lodge before our tee time. Just before teeing off we were able to see the construction of the putting course which is going in just next to Pacific Dunes, between it and Bandon Dunes. Pacific Dunes rates highest of the four courses and following my round I understand why. Pacific Dunes is an incredible layout that challenges ones game but in a very fair way. Stunning views and incredible golf. Can't really ask for much more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following our round we ran directly over to Old Macdonald, where we learned that they had caught up on tee times since the morning's frost delay. Old Macdonald is exactly as I had envisioned an old school links course. Designed as a tribute to CB Macdonald, who most notably designed Chicago Golf Club and National Golf Links of America. A very wide open layout with some of the largest greens in the world, I had a ton of fun. Though again I struggled with consistency (as I did throughout the trip), I did hit some great shots. After 3 putting the 17th hole for bogey, I cranked out my biggest drive of the trip on 18 leaving me a gap wedge into the green. I sank my birdie putt, gave my only fist pump of the trip, and was happy to end the trip on a high note. The wind howled the entire day and made me very grateful for having worn layers throughout the trip. For this after noon round I wore: an Under Armour compression top, GolfWRX logo Oakley polo, a cashmere sweater, and my GolfWRX logo Zero Restriction rain jacket. I also wore for the first time ever while golfing, a beanie - specifically my GolfWRX one. I got a few comments about it and was able to talk to those who brought up, "Oh, you're on GolfWRX?!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sum it up, this was a trip of a lifetime. Sheep Ranch. Being able to not only play some of the best courses in the country, but more importantly be able to do it with some of my best golf friends made it all worthwhile. I pulled out shots I've never hit before like putting from 30 yards off the green or hitting 8 irons under the wind from 110 yards. I had a blast and recommend the trip to anyone looking for a golf-centric destination. I know I'll be making my way back, hopefully sooner rather than later. As it says above the Bandon Dunes pro shop and as the entire place encapsulates, this place truly is, "Golf as it was meant to be..."

[highergr0und]

Wow.... the rainbow pic is so cool it looks like it is fake.....

Great pics and story. Congrats on graduating

[Ryan C]

Great post! Love everything about the place.

[pitbull808]

Super write up Ben! I was really looking forward to reading about it and seeing the pics I knew you'd be taking. Congratulations on the trip and most importantly your graduation! You're no longer the school kid in the mod squad!

[QMany]

Great writeup and great pics. You even got the @GolfWRX tweet of approval.

[KDMullins]

Awesome write-up and great pics! Thanks for sharing.

[Guia]

Nice post, great trip.

[kekoa]

Wow man

Congrats.

I was planning to do this trip nxt march but looks like ill be having a 3rd kid instead. One day... One day.

I appreciate the insight and amazing pics

[SteelPride]

I just got back from Bandon Dunes. Played 9 rounds in 4 days.

Best golf experience of my life. Changed the way I look at the game and course architecture. Most wonderful golf resort I've ever been to. I'm still in absolute awe.

[Sean2]

Thanks for sharing your Bandon Dunes experience. Great story!

Congratulations on your graduation as well...you have a big basketball game coming up Thursday!

[kidcardio]

Thanks for sharing. I has an awesome time there in 2011 and looking at the photos brings back sweet memories.

[Arizonalefty59]

That's looks like a trip of a lifetime.

[G N R]

Great read and great photos man. Congrats.

[Chris_NH]

Congratulations on a trip well-earned! A very nice writeup, that gets me even more excited for my own trip. The Sheep Ranch sounds very cool.

[Mainlinegolfer]

Love to hear more about what renovations were done to Bandon Trails and why.

[ORazor]

That place looks magical.

[lowndes]

[quote name='Mainlinegolfer' timestamp='1364383970' post='6704995']
Love to hear more about what renovations were done to Bandon Trails and why.
[/quote]

Here is a link to a decent write up on it:

http://m.theworldlink.com/sports/local/bandon-trails-renovations-should-make-course-more-playable/article_fae79e70-9251-11e2-a77f-001a4bcf887a.html?comment_form=true

[lowndes]

Awesome report and photos.

[Mainlinegolfer]

[quote name='lowndes' timestamp='1364386332' post='6705135']
[quote name='Mainlinegolfer' timestamp='1364383970' post='6704995']
Love to hear more about what renovations were done to Bandon Trails and why.
[/quote]

Here is a link to a decent write up on it:

[url="http://m.theworldlink.com/sports/local/bandon-trails-renovations-should-make-course-more-playable/article_fae79e70-9251-11e2-a77f-001a4bcf887a.html?comment_form=true"]http://m.theworldlin...mment_form=true[/url]
[/quote]
Thanks for the link.

[jeffyjeffmn]

Great pictures and well written review. Thanks for spending time sharing your experience.

[golfheaven69]

It's great to see a young man "get it"!

Keep enjoying life and there will plenty of rainbows.

[Smooth spin scott]

Thanks for sharing, a 4 of us are turning 40 next year and we've already started planning our Bandon experience.

[Bubb]

Easily the best write-up I've seen since joining this site several years ago. Thank you!

[birdman72]

Great write-up! Now I really want to take a trip to Bandon.

[spud3]

From one DuckU alum to another: congrats on finishing school and what an awesome way to celebrate! Killer write-up and photos (you should post the rainbow pic to BD's FB page - they'd love it). You should make it an annual trip with your buddies

[johnnylongball]

Fantastic trip report sir. Very well written and your pics are awesome. We are heading back out to Bandon in September including a visit to Eugene to see my Vols receive a thorough beating from your Ducks. This report has me even more excited about the trip!

Thanks very much for posting.

[squarre]

Awesome trip, awesome pictures and awesome post. Congrats on the graduation!

[potomacgolfer]

What was the pace of play like for your rounds (I'm planning a trip in July)? Excellent writeup and congratulations on your graduation!

[bjackson]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

[quote name='potomacgolfer' timestamp='1364575847' post='6720931']
What was the pace of play like for your rounds (I'm planning a trip in July)?
[/quote]

I think all of our rounds finished around 4 1/2 hour mark. Pace of play was really good and I can only remember a few times where we had to wait on the group in front of us. There were plenty of marshals out there keeping the pace of play up.

[sabram]

Congrats on graduating and thanks for posting such s nice trip report. Refreshes a lot of Bandon memories.