By Jason Bruno
The term Bandonista refers to a links-obsessed golfer, a diehard who specifically is partial to the environment and routings along the South Oregon coastline at Bandon Dunes Resort. What brings these golf-crazed people here in droves is the resort’s 122 holes that feature firm and fast fine fescue surfaces, brisk ocean air, and a sandy dunescape that will both thrill and challenge. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “if you know, you know”… that applies to anyone who has experienced the ultimate golf destination.
If you haven’t ever been, or it’s been a minute (as the kids say) since you’ve experienced the authentic linksland that Mike Keiser and his team call “Golf As It Was Meant To Be”, then I hope you get Bandon Dunes Golf Resort at the very top of your U.S. bucket list of golf destinations.
At the end of April, we finally returned to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort after a nearly six-year hiatus (our last visit was the week of the 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic). Since then, many things have changed in the world, and at the ultimate golf resort as well… but unlike the world, just about everything at Bandon has improved over the years.
The resort has continued to evolve with recent additions. A new short course has opened – the 19-hole Shorty’s course designed by Rod Whitman, Dave Axland, and Keith Cutten. Shorty’s gives visitors an extra playground that’s ideal as an opening act or an encore to close out any golf trip.
The five 18-hole courses – Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, and Sheep Ranch are the headliners at the resort for sure. Along with Shorty’s and Charlotte’s (the short course that sits next to the practice area) you have the 13-hole par 3 Coore Crenshaw masterpiece – Bandon Preserve, as well as The Punch Bowl Himalayas-style putting course and the Labyrinth (a serene spot for meditation and peace, truly a setting that will calm the soul). As if that wasn’t enough to keep you busy, the newest additions are happening around the Old Macdonald parcel on the north end of the resort.
New lodging is going in across from the pro shop at Old Macdonald (32 new rooms), and the newest restaurant at the resort (opened in 2023) – Ghost Tree Grill, a Pacific Northwest-inspired steakhouse and raw bar (named in honor of the iconic Ghost Tree on Old Mac’s third hole – above) sits just steps behind the 18th green at Old Mac.
During the week of the PGA Professional Championship we played seven rounds while on-site. The courses were all in fantastic shape, and the weather was the ideal links climate – cool and windy, with clear skies.
The GT Grill is now the tenth culinary option at Bandon Dunes Resort, with many of the other nine offering a more casual fare… the Scottish-themed McKee’s Pub, and Charlotte’s food truck at the main practice center are on the other end of the palette and vibe options. Between Charlotte’s and Sheep Ranch, I’m not sure who makes the better breakfast grab-and-go dewsweeper grub. Can’t go wrong.
Our journey and travel itinerary was an ambitious one to say the least – I’ll spare you all of the intricacy, but the cliff notes version is South Florida to Eugene–drive to Bandon. Four days staying off property (long story), covering the practice for the PGA (Club) Professional Championship and playing rounds on Shorty’s, Sheep Ranch, Trails, Old Mac and Bandon Preserve. Drive back to Eugene–Fly to Los Angeles (for two days of events with the USGA)–Fly back to Eugene–drive back to Bandon. two more full days at the resort covering the final round of the PGA event, then a 36 hole double-dip on Bandon Dunes and Trails, followed by morning at the resort and heading back to Eugene to fly home. I’ll get into more detail centered around my personal experience in Bruno’s Blog.
The demand to get a reservation at golf’s ultimate destination has exceeded the supply, so they’ve had to go to a lottery system each year for links lovers to secure dates and times. However, there is a loophole. The supply issue has more to do with available lodging, not necessarily tee times (depending on time of year, summer is the busiest time at the resort). So, if you don’t win the resort lottery, and your main intention is to play the courses at Bandon, don’t give up hope. Call the resort and request available a la carte tee times. There are places to stay within 20 minutes of the resort that offer worthy accommodations. I attended a party at Bandon House, a privately owned house that was created specifically for buddies trips just a few minutes away from the resort. Another viable option is the Ko-Kwel Casino in Coos Bay. Of course, it’s not quite like staying on property and having shuttles come pick you up at your door whenever you desire, but it’s the next best thing, and since you’ll be staying in town, Coos Bay has things the resort doesn’t. For example, there’s a Planet Fitness (I used the chair and hydro massage there on my way to returning a rental car in town), and I hit the drive-thru while waiting for an Uber. There are several pharmacy stores and food outlets where you can grab anything you may need before or after rounds of golf… but most importantly, you’re playing the courses at Bandon.
If you get invited to play Augusta, are you saying no because you haven’t secured a cottage on site? If it’s your only way to play, get the tee-times, there are other options for where to rest your head at night.
Oh, and one more thing – when you get there, tell the Director of Outside Happiness – Bob “Shoe” Gaspar that we sent you…
For more information: https://bandondunesgolf.com/
