Bandon November 2019

Edaw68 · November 23, 2018

Hello all, brief trip report for Bandon. The decision to make this trip was spur of the moment after a busy couple months at work with a ton of overtime. I booked about 3 weeks ago, and kind of had the take whatever I can get attitude as far as lodging and tee times, and take advantage of the cheapest times of the year. When I called the only lodging available for 2 (wife and I) was at the Lily Pond. I like staying there, although it is a touch larger than what is needed for just the two of us and thus a bit more costly since it's more designed to split between two paying people. If it was just me and a golf buddy I think these would be great. (I apologize in advance if I get any names wrong. Kind of my achilles heel)

My golf itinerary was

Day 1 (Nov 19th): Bandon Trails 0950

Day 2 (20th): Pacific Dunes 0900

Day 3 (21st): Bandon Dunes 0730

Day 4 (22nd, Thanksgiving): Pacific Dunes 0900

I didn't schedule any replays due to limited daylight. Old Mac didn't fit into the itinerary (they close one course a day for maintenance) due to other rounds, which didn't really bug me. I usually try to play all 4 during a trip, but Old Mac would be the first I'd drop anyway.

I started driving about 0800 Sunday the 18th. Originally I had planned to stop along the way a little south of Eugene or maybe in the Reedsport area, and finish the drive the morning of the 19th, but we ended up making good time and pushed all the way to Bandon. We stayed at the Bandon Inn in town. Good place, probably more than we needed for a one night crash pad. Dinner at the Edgewater in town, mostly because it was about the only thing open when we went out, but it was good. (Bandon is a town that tends to go to bed early) The rockfish at Edgewater is excellent.

Day 1: up early, got a quick breakfast at The Station in town, then drove to the resort to hit a few balls on the range. It was extremely foggy on the range, to the point seeing a full wedge land was tough. I seemed to be hitting it solid, so off to Trails. Met my playing partners Greg, Brian and Kyle, and their caddies. The fog thinned out briefly in the middle of the round, but came back thicker than ever for our back nine, to the point we never saw a tee shot land from 11 on. One of the caddies said they had never seen fog that thick on Trails. If it was my first trip I would have been annoyed by the fog since it was tough to see where to go, but I thought it was cool to play in. Helped that the caddies were able to make pretty good guesses where balls were going. A blind tee shot on 17 was a new experience. Course conditions were generally pretty good. A few of the black nets out in fairways in some collection areas, but mostly it was fine. The greens are noticeably better than a couple years ago, but still patchy on some, mostly the holes back in the trees.

The caddies said they've started work on the new course in the Sheep Ranch area, and there was some heavy equipment out there. No official schedule on it though, as apparently it's still kinda up in the air. Later in the trip one veteran caddie said his own theory was a soft opening in 2020 for the US Am.

After the round I thought about hitting the Preserve, but the fog was still thick enough that I couldn't see the first green from the pro shop, so decided against it. Not being able to see the green (and potentially hitting into someone on a bunch of holes) didn't strike me as fun. Went to McKee's for dinner. McKee's seems to be getting more and more crowded every year, we had to sit at the upstairs bar. I think a lot of people who go in the off season tend to not go to the more expensive places at the resort for dinner, and McKee's gets overloaded. Gonna have to start making reservations there.

#14

Day 2: the highlight of the trip, among the best weather days I've ever experienced at Bandon. Not a drop of rain and never even the threat of it. We teed off on Pacific in a light pullover, but by about hole 4 or 5 was in shortsleeves and sunglasses. (my wife said I got slightly sunburned) I played with Vicky, Paul, and Andy. One of the better ball striking days I've had on Pacific, and if I would have avoided a few bunkers, and the associated disasters on 6, 7, and 8, I probably would have scored pretty well. (I have never played the bunkers at Pacific Dunes well) I shot an 87, which included going 1 under for the last 8 holes. One of these days I'll learn to do whatever is necessary to avoid the bunkers there. While on 13 I could see there was an excavator and possibly a dozer on the Sheep Ranch, so it appears the construction is beginning.

The weather was so nice that Andy and I hopped over to Bandon Dunes and went out for another round. We teed off as a twosome at about 1400, and the good weather continued. A little windy, but playable. Andy's first time on the course, and he marveled at the difference in style between Bandon and Pacific, even though both are right next to each other. That is one of the cool things about Bandon, having 4 unique courses. We got around in 3 hours and finished 18 in pretty dark conditions. Very fun day.

After the round and a trip to the hot tub my wife and I tried to get into McKee's, but they were completely full, so we went over to Pacific Grill. (the ice cream cookie remains a spectacular dessert) If the resort expands anymore with the 5th full size course, they're going to need additional lodging and another more affordable dinner option like McKee's as opposed to the more expensive meals at Pacific Grill and The Gallery.

Day 3: I had an early (first group off) tee time at Bandon Dunes. The day opened with a hard rain, and never stopped raining, only switched between torrential and light rain. (torrential meaning rivers on the greens) I played with Shane and Eric, fellow experienced Bandonistas on the last day of their trip. Playing was fun, although putting was essentially impossible as the greens had so much standing water on them. After 9 holes Eric broke out a Guinness and offered me one. Through the power of Guinness I immediately birdied 10, had a birdie putt on 11, and nearly birdied 12 after probably my best tee shot ever there to 10 feet. Magic. We finished in about 3 hours and 20 minutes.

It was still pouring so I spent the remainder of the day drying gear and some light shopping in the pro shops. The resort was noticeably less crowded today. I assume a lot of people left for Thanksgiving stuff. Dinner at McKee's again, after my wife made a reservation this time. I tried the seafood cakes, which I was disappointed with. I should have got the chicken pot pie.

Day 4: last day and a round scheduled at Pacific, so we got most stuff packed and my wife handled check out while I golfed. (love you dear) The forecast called for rain and there was a high wind advisory. When I checked in at the pro shop they were strongly re-iterating the raincheck/voucher policy, and seemed to be actively encouraging not playing. I've never had anything like that happen at Bandon, where the weather motto seems to be "I don't think the hard stuff is gonna come down for a while", and I guess I should have taken the hint.

This was a new standard for worst weather I've ever played in. The wind was a steady 40 with gusts significantly higher, and rain the whole time. Walking into the wind was difficult, and the rain was physically painful hitting my face. I met with a couple from Seattle, Charles and Tau (sorry on spelling) and another lady whose name I can't remember. (apologies) Off we went to play golf, and all we could do was laugh. I went over #3 green with a 6 iron downwind, and then couldn't reach the green on #5 with a 3 wood. Epic wind. I did birdie #6 with driver, wedge, one putt. There were still a lot of golfers out on the course, but conditions kept getting worse. We made it through 12 holes before a lighting horn went off and the marshal told us we had to get off the course. There was a group of around 20 people walking back in from the far end of the course, all of us in amazement at the weather. When we finally got back to the starters shack the rain was hard enough and the wind was blowing hard enough that it was difficult to see the pro shop. A large group of golfers sheltered under the roof at the shop to wait out the lightning which was within about two miles judging by the flash/thunder delay. With a 10 hour drive home coming up, I gave up and went to the car. In 6 trips, first time I haven't finished a round.

Overall it was an enjoyable trip, and probably worth it just for the beautiful Tuesday weather. I accept the sometimes bad weather in exchange for the savings in the off season. I'll be back in March.

spud3 · November 23, 2018

Nice write-up! Glad that you got at least one killer day, and to have it be the day on PD, that's awesome.

I've been wondering about what's happening with the Sheep Ranch. Looks like its days are numbered, if not already gone. I'm 50/50 on that, as while I love the prospect of yet another world class course there, I really liked the free-form morning we spent at the SR a few years ago. Super fun.

Agree that they will need to expand the lodging and dining with any additional golf options. Makes me a bit nervous about how that would affect the overall experience. As of now, it's still a very personable place to go, and I'd hate to lose that as a result of getting too big. Been wanting to try the pot pie at McKee's, as well.

I'm still watching the weather for a good weekend to pop down. Not looking too great for a while, but that can always change.

wkuo3 · November 23, 2018

Wow, envy you...... how did you train the non-golfing wife to go on a trip like this with you ? There is not much to do if not golfing.

Plus she made reservation for the dinner and checking out while you golfed..... you da man.

Edaw68 · November 23, 2018

Wow, envy you...... how did you train the non-golfing wife to go on a trip like this with you ? There is not much to do if not golfing.
Plus she made reservation for the dinner and checking out while you golfed..... you da man.

Mostly she loves the coast. I assure you, it’s not my mediocre physical appearance or socially inept personality.

wkuo3 · November 24, 2018

Wow, envy you...... how did you train the non-golfing wife to go on a trip like this with you ? There is not much to do if not golfing.
Plus she made reservation for the dinner and checking out while you golfed..... you da man.

Mostly she loves the coast. I assure you, it’s not my mediocre physical appearance or socially inept personality.

Nice review of your Bandon experience, we had never played in the 40 MPH + wind with rain , I'd imagine nothing would stop from getting soaked in that weather.

Sushiyoshi · November 24, 2018

Sounded like my experience last February with rain and hail going sideways for two days. Third day had snow and frost delay so we got raincheck.

Thinking of going between Xmas and New Year. Not sure I can workout the schedule tho. I can't and dont want to wait until mid-Feb but may have to.

Edaw68 · November 24, 2018

Wow, envy you...... how did you train the non-golfing wife to go on a trip like this with you ? There is not much to do if not golfing.
Plus she made reservation for the dinner and checking out while you golfed..... you da man.

Mostly she loves the coast. I assure you, it’s not my mediocre physical appearance or socially inept personality.

Nice review of your Bandon experience, we had never played in the 40 MPH + wind with rain , I'd imagine nothing would stop from getting soaked in that weather.

I actually didn't do too bad. Galvin Green rainsuit and Bandon bucket hat kept it manageable. My shoes soaked through after about 8 or 9 holes, just regular FJ with camp dry spray on them. I think some dedicated waterproof golf boots would have survived. As it was there was leakage through the shoes and up my socks, so wet up my ankles, and down my neck since it's almost impossible to keep sideways rain from leaking down that way. When I changed after the round my pants and shirt were pretty much dry other than my ankle/calf area and and neck/traps.

Edaw68 · November 24, 2018

Sounded like my experience last February with rain and hail going sideways for two days. Third day had snow and frost delay so we got raincheck.

Thinking of going between Xmas and New Year. Not sure I can workout the schedule tho. I can't and dont want to wait until mid-Feb but may have to.

It's amazing what we put up with going to Bandon. I've got a couple epically unplayable rounds under my belt from there, and in all cases there were dozens of other golfers also playing through it. The Bishop from Caddyshack would have been a Bandonista.

eboettne · November 26, 2018

Awesome trip report! Sounds like you got a great day for 36 holes in and took advantage! Not sure we'll be as lucky this coming weekend. Looks like a lot of low 50s and rain but hopefully not as windy as your last day! Reading your report made me glad that we booked dinner reservations at McKee's for all but one night, sounds like the place to be.

Edaw68 · November 26, 2018

Awesome trip report! Sounds like you got a great day for 36 holes in and took advantage! Not sure we'll be as lucky this coming weekend. Looks like a lot of low 50s and rain but hopefully not as windy as your last day! Reading your report made me glad that we booked dinner reservations at McKee's for all but one night, sounds like the place to be.

I think McKees is easily the most popular dinner option there, mostly because it’s just as good as the other places but not as spendy. (I haven’t tried Trails End for dinner)

You can look at weather forecasts a week out, but they are more than likely just guesstimates based on averages. Mine changed constantly the days leading up to the trip. Tuesday was when the caddies started talking about Thursday having the potential to be bad.

duffer987 · November 27, 2018

Good stuff Eda :)

While me and my mates missed out on the fog, I see we shared the Thursday storm. That was bonkers!

It was definitely a good call to take off. We had a 12:40 replay on Pac, that was pushed back to 1pm and then we were hauled off the course after our tee shots on 7.

It was the first time I really saw any of the pro shop staff at a bit of a loss for how to handle things, with folks asking for rainchecks or when they could go back out or just generally unsure how a lightning delay plays out.

Lefty.Golfer · December 5, 2018

Sounded like my experience last February with rain and hail going sideways for two days. Third day had snow and frost delay so we got raincheck.

Thinking of going between Xmas and New Year. Not sure I can workout the schedule tho. I can't and dont want to wait until mid-Feb but may have to.

I'm hoping Feb 10 - 13, 2019 has none of that weather!!!