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Old Macdonald, may have sandy, tree-less terrain
similar to this section of Pacific Dunes, but
without the sweeping ocean views.
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One of our field operatives recently dropped in on the Bandon Dunes Resort and came across an interesting foursome, though they were not there to play golf.
Bandon Dunes Resort owner Mike Keiser, Pacific Dunes architect Tom Doak, and Doak's two principal colleagues, Jim Urbina and Bruce Hepner, were exploring the potential routing plan for the fourth, 18-hole course, called Old Macdonald.
As has been widely reported, the course will take its cue from the work of America's first great golf course architect, Charles Blair Macdonald, best known for creating National Golf Links of America, Yale University's golf course, the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, and others.
While it looked to our man as though the all-sand site may have a small amount of ocean frontage, it didn't appear that the Pacific Ocean would figure significantly into the course's theme. Whereas panoramic sea views are virtually constant at Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald will likely provide only glimpses of it. That certainly didn't prevent Bandon Trails (designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw) from becoming a winner, and it's not likely to hamper Old Macdonald, either.
On a somber note, we also learned that Howard McKee, the architect who designed pretty much everything at Bandon Dunes Resort except the golf courses, passed away. Many visitors probably recognize his name only from the resort's McKee's Pub, but in this tribute article, you can see just how important he was to the creation of the entire resort. In fact, Keiser is quoted as saying he never would have considered the amazing Bandon, Oregon site if McKee hadn't suggested it.
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If you want to take a Bandon Dunes golf vacation, don't wait until the new course is open, because it still has a full two years to go. We'd also recommend reading our handy guidebook, Planning the Ultimate Golf Vacation. It's a quick read, but it will literally tell you everything you need to know to get the most out of your trip, including: the best way to get to this remote part of Oregon; the best accommodation options for your traveling party; the best places to dine on and off site; the important differences between the golf courses; even how to get on the highly secretive Sheep Ranch course. Click here to learn more.
Did you know?Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world's only golf publications that travel anonymously and do not accept advertising, discounts, or "freebies" from the golf courses, resorts or restaurants they review.
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