Just booked it - Bandon, late April '14

[spud3]

Making my return pilgramage to Mecca, solo again.

 

Will be there April 28, 29, 30. Anyone else going?

 

I think I'll start packing now...

[mauiman]

The next 5 months will feel like 2 years. Not sure when I can make it back, but I daydream about it every day.

[bbslurp413]

How is it going as a single? I've been once before to Bandon as a 4 some but going to have a tough time getting my group to go back. Might have to make the trek by myself

[ws6]

I day trip it as a single 4-5 times a year. I have always been paired with nice people.

I am going on November 25th to play Pacific.

[spud3]

I don't live close enough for a day trip, but I went as a single last spring for my first visit. It was wonderful. I wrote a trip report in this forum, here:

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/840668-bandon-trip-report-mid-april-solo/"]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/840668-bandon-trip-report-mid-april-solo/[/url]

I liked it so much I'm doing it again. My regular golf buddies have various reason for not going; all LAME, if you ask me

As a single, you can get into a room easier and get a tee time easy as well. When I went last April, I played four of my six rounds by myself, which I loved. When I did get paired up, all the guys were great. Probably because we were all so jacked about just being there, no one could possibly be a jerk. If you feel the need for conversation, just step up to the bar at McKee's and ask the guy next to you which course/hole/shot/caddy was his favorite, and you're set.

Bottom line: Go. Single or foursome or herd of 50. Just go.

[bjackson]

Congrats and enjoy! Can't wait to get back there myself.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1384665219' post='8160688']
When I did get paired up, all the guys were great. Probably because we were all so jacked about just being there, no one could possibly be a jerk.
[/quote]

A little tingle just went down my spine ;-) You made me remember that Bandon feeling. You're right. It sounds kind of corny for someplace that you're paying to visit, and someplace that, from a golf perspective, is so new. But you feel like you're visiting hallowed ground and are lucky to be there. And, as you look around, you see that just about everybody else is feeling exactly the same way. It's like you're sitting with a bunch of other lottery-winners :-) Everybody just has that glazed, mesmerized "I'm actually here" look to them.

[potomacgolfer]

[quote name='bbslurp413' timestamp='1384643501' post='8159410']
How is it going as a single? I've been once before to Bandon as a 4 some but going to have a tough time getting my group to go back. Might have to make the trek by myself
[/quote]

I went as a single over the July 4 weekend after a friend had to bail out. Everyone was great on and off the course, including staff and fellow players I was paired with -- and I'm a high handicapper although I play so fast that I can keep up with anyone. Played Pac Dunes and Bandon Trails alone, while paired up on Bandon Dunes, Old Mac, and a second round at Pac Dunes.

[spud3]

[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1384776136' post='8165800']
[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1384665219' post='8160688']
When I did get paired up, all the guys were great. Probably because we were all so jacked about just being there, no one could possibly be a jerk.
[/quote]

A little tingle just went down my spine ;-) You made me remember that Bandon feeling. You're right. It sounds kind of corny for someplace that you're paying to visit, and someplace that, from a golf perspective, is so new. But you feel like you're visiting hallowed ground and are lucky to be there. And, as you look around, you see that just about everybody else is feeling exactly the same way. It's like you're sitting with a bunch of other lottery-winners :-) Everybody just has that glazed, mesmerized "I'm actually here" look to them.
[/quote]

+1

Hard to be a jerk when you're looking at this from the tee:

[attachment=1954458:IMG_0414.JPG]

[bjackson]

[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1384819470' post='8169140']
Hard to be a jerk when you're looking at this from the tee:

[attachment=1954458:IMG_0414.JPG]
[/quote]

3 on Dunes? I had a two putt birdie on that hole

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1384819787' post='8169174']
[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1384819470' post='8169140']
Hard to be a jerk when you're looking at this from the tee:

[attachment=1954458:IMG_0414.JPG]
[/quote]

3 on Dunes? I had a two putt birdie on that hole
[/quote]

I think my drive was in the gorse on the right :-)

[gr8blueheronbird]

This thread is giving me some reason that I need to go here. Lived in Oregon(Portland area) for 10 years(1995-2005) and never went. Went to Streamsong in FL last April and they say the same course designers that designed Streamsong designed Bandon. Checked into flights but getting into North Bend,OR is at least a 22 hour flight from TN and at least $600.00 r/t. Checked into a flight into PDX and alas $240.00 r/t on Southwest(clubs fly free) and only a 6.5 hour flight. I think I may explore the opportunity,rent a car for the 5hr drive and do this. Thanks to the info shared on this thread.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='gr8blueheronbird' timestamp='1384820618' post='8169252']
This thread is giving me some reason that I need to go here. Lived in Oregon(Portland area) for 10 years(1995-2005) and never went. Went to Streamsong in FL last April and they say the same course designers that designed Streamsong designed Bandon. Checked into flights but getting into North Bend,OR is at least a 22 hour flight from TN and at least $600.00 r/t. Checked into a flight into PDX and alas $240.00 r/t on Southwest(clubs fly free) and only a 6.5 hour flight. I think I may explore the opportunity,rent a car for the 5hr drive and do this. Thanks to the info shared on this thread.
[/quote]

There are many ways to do the trip, but let me tell you how we did it, because it worked out really well for us.

Nonstop flight from east coast to PDX, arrive around 8pm Pacific time. Stay overnight in Portland.
Up really early next morning (easy, since you're on East coast time still anyway) drive to Bandon. Lunch, warm up, play 18.
Play as many days as you plan to.
Final day, play 18 early, drive up to PDX, stay overnight and fly nonstop to east coast next morning.

It extends the trip a bit, but we found it a very pleasant itinerary, avoiding 9-12 hour traveling days.

[spud3]

I think Chris' plan is outstanding. Gives you a couple evenings in Portland, where we are said to have some decent microbrews...

I read all these threads on here about how difficult it is to get to Bandon, and wonder what the big deal is. If you don't want a long drive, fly into PDX, then take a short hop to Eugene, which is about two (very scenic) hours of driving away from Bandon. Once you're there, you can leave the car in the lot if you want. Everything you need is there on site. I used mine to get to the courses, but there's no overwhelming reason to do that.

[spud3]

[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1384819787' post='8169174']
[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1384819470' post='8169140']
Hard to be a jerk when you're looking at this from the tee:

[attachment=1954458:IMG_0414.JPG]
[/quote]

3 on Dunes? I had a two putt birdie on that hole
[/quote]

Good eye! 3 on BD is correct! I ran my third shot up to about 5' and promptly yakked the birdie putt.

As I've said many times, though, nothing wrong with a tap-in par...

[njlam]

I just got back.

2 rounds at the Preserve, 1 round each at Old Mac, Bandon Dunes, and Pacific.

Playing the Preserve in the morning, then one of the 18 hole courses in the late morning is the way to go.

Packed enough rain gear for Noah's Arc....didn't need any of it.

What is the best thing the see at Bandon?......


.....Your shadow!

Already booked next year trip....moving Trails back in the rotation.....Old Mac out....

[dirthead]

You guys have me so excited to go. The wife and I are going to drag our 5th wheel out there for 2 weeks next summer, around the July 4th holiday. She doesn't play, so I'll be there as a single. Hope to play all the courses at least once while there. Might play some more than once. The wait is going to be excruciating.

[nfinch10]

[quote name='dirthead' timestamp='1385052031' post='8183710']
You guys have me so excited to go. The wife and I are going to drag our 5th wheel out there for 2 weeks next summer, around the July 4th holiday. She doesn't play, so I'll be there as a single. Hope to play all the courses at least once while there. Might play some more than once. The wait is going to be excruciating.
[/quote]

2 weeks? Sounds awesome! I'm going on Wednesday and the wait is excruciating!

[dirthead]

[quote name='nfinch10' timestamp='1385058370' post='8184426']
[quote name='dirthead' timestamp='1385052031' post='8183710']
You guys have me so excited to go. The wife and I are going to drag our 5th wheel out there for 2 weeks next summer, around the July 4th holiday. She doesn't play, so I'll be there as a single. Hope to play all the courses at least once while there. Might play some more than once. The wait is going to be excruciating.
[/quote]

2 weeks? Sounds awesome! I'm going on Wednesday and the wait is excruciating!
[/quote]

The entire trip will be 2 weeks. Two days of driving there and back to Phoenix, so we will only be in Bandon for about 10 days. Having a 5th wheel makes lodging much more reasonable. There is an rv park very close to Bandon Dunes for $27 a night. Hard to beat that.

[ws6]

There is some nice camping on the Oregon Coast. I like Harris Beach and I really like Loeb.

[url="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=58"]http://www.oregonsta...kPage&parkId=58[/url]

[url="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=51"]http://www.oregonsta...kPage&parkId=51[/url] looks like they are working on it until late May.

If you make it up to Florence you could stay at Honeyman and go play Sand Pines.

[url="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=95"]http://www.oregonsta...kPage&parkId=95[/url]

Also, if you have not been to Northern California you might want to see the Avenue of the Giants and other Redwood groves.

[url="http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=425"]http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=425[/url]


Back on topic, I can't wait to play Pacific Monday.

[BigHunk]

Spud,

Well you will beat me back there by 3 months next year,I cant make until mid July.I am going back on the same dates as last year and I cant wait.....look forward to your trip report as well.

[spud3]

[quote name='BigHunk' timestamp='1385442003' post='8208646']
Spud,

Well you will beat me back there by 3 months next year,I cant make until mid July.I am going back on the same dates as last year and I cant wait.....look forward to your trip report as well.
[/quote]

And yours, too!

Just finished reading Dream Golf, and I can't wait to get back and play those courses with a little more knowledge on the philosophy behind each.

[bjackson]

[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1385446283' post='8208838']
...Just finished reading Dream Golf...
[/quote]

IMO this should be required reading for anyone playing golf at Bandon.

[spud3]

[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1385446929' post='8208862']
[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1385446283' post='8208838']
...Just finished reading Dream Golf...
[/quote]

IMO this should be required reading for anyone playing golf at Bandon.
[/quote]

I think it will help a lot on the courses, especially the chapter where the author describes a round on BD with David Kidd and Grant Rogers. I want to have that in crib notes when I go back...