Pacific Dunes

[Portions of this post are repeated in the other courses making up the Bandon complex: Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, Sheep Ranch, Bandon Preserve, and Charlotte’s]

General Course Description

Pacific Dunes is the second oldest of the Bandon Dunes 18-hole public courses, just north of the original Bandon Dunes course. Like its older counterpart, Pacific Dunes is a stunningly beautiful, very well-maintained, internationally recognized course on the coast with amazing ocean views. It is shorter than  Bandon Dunes, but it is a bit more dramatic as more of the local environment comes into play (greater time on the coastal cliffs, more fairway undulation, more long grass and sand in the driving areas). Encroachment of natural hazards make it more narrow (and a bit less forgiving) than Bandon Dunes. But the overall result is breathtaking. As with Bandon Dunes, when it is not pouring rain and/or blowing 30-plus miles an hour, it would be difficult to overstate the beauty and quality of the course. It is a bit more hilly than Bandon Dunes, but a wonderful walk.

Course History

Built in 2001 as the second of the Bandon courses. (The architect of Pacific, Tom Doak, was actually considered for the job as architect of the first course, Bandon Dunes.)  Lots of awards since then as one of the best places to play in the country, if not the world (in 2023 it was 2nd on Golf Digest’s list of Greatest Public Course in the country and the best course in Oregon; in 2023 it was 21st on Golf Digest’s list of America’s Greatest Golf Courses). Also a host for many events including the 2006 Curtis Cup and the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur. 

Why It Is There

Mike Keiser wanted to build a world-class golf resort, and he got such a great response to Bandon Dunes, he kept going and built Pacific Dunes. A great resource for the history of the Bandon complex is  Dream Golf, The Making of Bandon Dunes by Stephen Goodwin.

I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Played

Poa annua is creeping into the greens. Even though they take excellent care of the greens, in the afternoon the poa gets shaggy and slightly slows and straightens putts. On No. 15, a wide-open par 5, stay left of the knob that is on the right side of the green to help keep your ball on the green.

Did You Know

The massive bunker in the middle of No. 2 is named for Bob “Shoe” Gaspar, who built the bunker (basically by hand). Mr. Gaspar has been with Bandon from the beginning, originally an instructor at the Bandon caddie school. If you are fortunate, you can meet him and his beaming smile (often directing golf bag traffic near the lodge check-in). No. 13 was named in 2017 by the OGA as one of the most interesting golf holes in Oregon.

Good For Them

These folks do a lot of good things. Received an award as one of the Best Green Workplaces 2016 by Oregon Business.  The resort won the 2012 Golf Digest’s Green Star Award for its efforts in conservation and environmental protection. The Director of Agronomy, Ken Nice, received an award in 2017 from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America as an environmental leader in the Resort Course Category for overall course management practices in the areas of water conservation, water-quality management, energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste management, and wildlife and habitat conservation. The complex is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Teaching host course for Southwestern Oregon Community College and Bandon High School. Evans Scholarship participant course. Historically, complimentary junior clinics have been conducted by Scott Millhouse, head pro at Bandon Trails.

Why Play This Course

Links magazine described the Bandon Dunes complex as one of the “no-brainer” golf resorts in the world that you have to travel to and play regardless of the cost (along with Pinehurst, Pebble, Kiawah, and St. Andrews). I agree. It can be very expensive (try winter), and the weather can seriously alter your approach (but not necessarily ruin your day), but the amazing location, the design and upkeep of the wonderful courses, and the positive outlook and attitude of everyone who works there makes Pacific and the resort something you have to experience at least once. Every course is amazing, and every course is different. Every course should be played.

General

• • Type: 18-hole public course
  • Price: $$$$$
  • Phone/webpage: (541)347-4380/www.bandondunesgolf.com
  • Address: 57744 Round Lake Road, Bandon, Oregon 97471
  • Owner: Bandon Dunes, LP
  • Designer: Tom Doak
  • Pros: Jason Tyler Poll (PGA Associate)
  • Practice Facilities: There are two large, undulating, and challenging putting courses (with scorecards) off the first tee called the Punch Bowl; the complex has a very impressive practice facility: two driving ranges, sand and chipping area, and large putting green
  • Pro Shop: Good-sized, with some equipment and lots of clothing (and rain gear)
  • Food: Full-service restaurant and bar with great views of the course and of Bandon Dunes
  • Bathrooms: Improved in clubhouse and on course
  • Yardage Markers: All over in ground; pin placement on a rotating zone system
  • Clothing: Proper golf attire
  • Walkable: A little hilly, but very walkable
  • Spikes: Soft
  • Shoe Cleaning: Brushes
  • Rentals: Clubs and pull carts; motorized carts are discouraged but can be arranged
  • Open year-round