Bandon Dunes Golf Course, Bandon, Oregon - A True Links-Style ``Thinker's Course'' Ranked As One of the Best in the Country

Bandon Dunes is one of three golf courses at the Bandon Dunes Resort in Bandon, Oregon. A fourth course is slated to open in 2010. The resort is set on Oregon's rugged coastline about 100 feet above the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal location to capture the essence of Scotland's great links courses. Here, golfers will experience untamed shores that go on for miles, and grassy, primeval dunes that run out to the ocean.

In describing the land used for the resort's courses, GOLF Magazine had this to say: "Probably the finest land made available for a golf course in America since Alistair Mackenzie was shown the site for Cypress Point Club on Monterey Peninsula...''

Bandon Dunes was the first of the resort's courses to be built, opening in 1999. Designed by a Scotsman, David McLay Kidd, the course is situated on a bluff high above the Pacific Ocean and plays along the native dunes to reveal ocean views on nearly every hole. Said to be a "thinker's course,'' Bandon Dunes is routed through completely natural, indigenous vegetation, with winds always present and adding to the challenge.

In describing the routing, course architect McLay Kidd had this to say: "I imagined the routing having the structure of a symphony - a strong start, a sense of anticipation, small crescendos, and an incredible finishing sequence along the Pacific. The course had to provide not only a challenge to every skill level, but also a sense of adventure and an exploration of this great landscape. As on true links courses, each hole offers several strategies to reach the green. Although the fairways and greens are large, the best line of attack requires accuracy, which can always be tricky. Players must consider the sea breeze and the firm sand-based turf. Newcomers to links golf must master playing the ball along the ground, shots that have all but disappeared from today's game.''

The 18-hole, par-72 course plays to 6,732 yards from the back (Black) tees, with a USGA rating of 74.6 and a slope rating of 145 on Fescue grass. From the next set of Green tees, the course plays to only 6,221 yards, making it a relatively short course. The course begins on a massive dune, then winds through upland forests and open meadows before returning to finish in the dunes. Like all the courses at the resort, Bandon Dunes is for walkers only.

Since its opening, Bandon Dunes has received much acclaim, including rankings among the top golf courses in the country. GOLF Magazine rated Bandon Dunes #6 among the Top 100 Courses You Can Play, Golfweek ranked it #5 on its list of Best Resort Courses and #6 on its list of Best Modern Courses, while Golf Digest ranked it #7 among America's Greatest Public Golf Courses.

The resort features a Practice Center that covers 32 acres just east of the Pacific Dunes course, allowing players to work on all aspects of their game. Lessons and a golf shop are also available.

A variety of lodging options are also available, as well as several full-service restaurants, lounges, hot tub, sauna, exercise room, and locker rooms.