Oregon is a stunningly beautiful State and we have only covered Portland, the Columbia River Valley, Mount Hood, Bend, Eugene and parts west to Bandon Dunes
Eugene Country Club is a wonderful place and golf course. Friendly, welcoming staff and Members combined with playing behind the Oregon Men’s team and in front of the Women’s team made for a very special experience.
The Eugene to Bandon drive is quite spectacular, we saw Elk, Raptors, magnificent forests and dunes, the Chinook were running on the lovely Siuslaw river and, of course, the tingle you get when entering Bandon Dunes
Bandon Dunes is an absolute must visit golf destination
Booking a Bandon Dunes visit is as simple as a phone call to knowledgeable and interested associates at the Resort. (caveat – see full disclosures below)
There are four courses at Bandon (excluding the par-3) and each offer a unique and challenging test of golf, but Pacific Dunes stands alone as a truly world class design full of beauty, imagination and bold routing. Bandon Dunes is a slight step below with Old MacDonald and Bandon Trails entirely different experiences
Second, full disclosure on conditions, costs and other devilish details;
A full day at Bandon as a Resort guest will set you back a minimum of $1,200. Bandon is right up front about the cost and it clearly is not cheap as to play all four courses (Pacific Dunes twice), caddies, meals, lodging and incidentals is in the range of $5,000. No complaints, just something you don’t read about in most reviews.
The Bandon Resort staff is consistently great and total guest oriented. Conversely, the Golf related staff (Pro Shops, Caddie Masters, Starters, Caddies) are all wildly inconsistent ranging from indifference to downright rude. Trust me, there are numerous instances of such things, so be prepared. (footnote – I have played golf in 20 States, Australia, England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and Mexico)
The conditions are fine, but this is not a Country Club. There are imperfections and challenging turf conditions. Again, no complaints, just facts.
The ultimate measure of a golf trip is the answer to the question; will I go back? The answer is an emphatic no. Chiefly, it’s the actual golf experience, not the courses. Rounds are long with 5 hours or more readily accepted. The Resort golfer is abominable. These people would be bounced from my course behaving as they did at Bandon as a cross between tailgating drunkenness and I paid the fright so I am entitled viewpoint. The Bandon golfer is 99% male oblivious to civility and fast play. Sad, but absolutely true. I wish this were a rash generalization, but six rounds constitute a conclusive study as without exception this was the experience.
Third, Bandon Dunes Resort Takeaways;
Book early and strive for the first tee time of the day at Pacific Dunes as that would be an amazing experience.
Stay in one of the Grove Cottages as they are lovely and they provide an escape from the “factory”.
Walk the beaches at Bandon Dunes and you will forget all about the golf. Overwhelmingly beautiful setting.
Ben