Keep it Swanky in 2012 (or maybe not)..

Posted on January 1, 2012 by

I consider myself very lucky.  I get to work at arguably the best golf resort in the world.  The golf courses I’m exposed to on a daily basis are of such high quality that people might assume that either I’m spoiled and take it for granted or that I wouldn’t enjoy playing courses of lesser stature.  Not true.
We play golf on Christmas Eve.  Some years my family’ll play (like this year), and some years it is just my brothers, a couple of buddies and me because my Mom won’t come out in the December Oregon Coast weather.  (This year we had glorious weather.  My pictures’ll prove that.)
We usually play at Alderbrook, the course in Tillamook.  Even after a new owner has injected some money into the course the last three years it would be dishonest to call it anything other then a goat track (a lot of the locals will tell you the changes have made it worse).  It is golf at its most rudimentary and in the winter the turf conditions are less then ideal (i.e. soggy and wet).  And yet it is always my favorite round of the year.

My question for you guys is this: When (or if) you guys play golf courses that you wouldn’t (for a lack of a better term) brag about on GCA.com do you enjoy them?

We also played the day after Christmas this year up at Manzanita.  Another Oregon Coast Gem.

#7 is positively heavenly

As I get older I’m starting to realize what is important.  Friends and family are clearly at the top of that list for me.  So I’m sure that who I play with is so much more important to me then where I play.  Although my folks have played at Bandon several times with me and my brother I can’t say that those rounds are anymore enjoyable then the annual rounds over Christmas.
There is no question that my appreciation for good golf courses and good golf course architecture allows me to enjoy ANY golf more.  I think a lot of the problems facing golf these days (dwindling participation numbers, high cost and the time it takes to play) could be helped if more golfers would realize that it is okay to play and enjoy the courses in their neck of the woods that might not quite warrant a fancy bag tag and wouldn’t be on a top 500 list if one existed.

Happy 2012.

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a Bandon Preserve preview.

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

Over the years one of the best parts of my job has been early access to what is new and wonderful and Bandon Dunes.  A loop at Bandon Trails in February of ’05 ranks towards the top of my list of greatest loops ever because it was the first trip any group had done around all 18 holes with clubs in their hand (it was a threesome; Mr. K and Mike Davis and Ron Reed of the USGA.  Bill Coore came along for the walk).  We got to play Old Macdonald in November of ’09.  Today we got to play the Bandon Preserve Par 3 course for the first time.

 The first hole starts near the putting green for Bandon Trails and gets you towards the wow factor early.  #2 is a stunner and the huge bunker in front, in the tradition of the bunkering on the par 3s throughout the resort, is to be avoided at all costs.

I’m hesitant to pass much judgment on the playing characteristics of the course after a first pass like today.  First of all we had our typical November weather.  That is to say, gorgeous.  Not a breath of wind and clear.  With a typical Bandon wind club selection will be tricky and critical.

Secondly, there is a ton of grass on the course right now.  Anyone who has played at Bandon knows you don’t pass judgement on a shot until AFTER it has hit the ground and STOPPED rolling.  The ball wasn’t rolling after it landed today and won’t for a while.

The green complexes are big, a lot like Old Mac.  There are specific portions of the greens that serve as much smaller greens essentially when you put the pin there, again a lot like Old Mac.

There is plenty of ‘junk’ to distract you from the tremendous amount of mown grass that allows even the most errant of shots to be in play (trust me.  The lie board had me blocking everything.  Terribly.  But at least I have an excuse!).  I’d say Mr. Coore, Mr. Crenshaw and team have built holes that look a lot harder than they actually are which makes it a ton of fun to play.

There is a lot of speculation on the resort about how the Preserve will fit into the rotation for guests.  As I see it, The Preserve is a must play for anybody who comes to Bandon Dunes to play golf.  Wether it is as an introduction to the place on your arrival day or as a goodbye loop early on your departure day, you have to play it.  Who cares that it is a par 3 course (is it the best in the world?)  Who cares you don’t get to hit driver or that it is 13 holes.  It is fun and that is the whole point of playing golf.

Posted in Bandon Dunes, Bandon Dunes News, golf course architecture, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

a new ‘Shoe’ bunker

Posted on August 25, 2011 by

  If you’ve been to Bandon Dunes chances are you know who Shoe is.  he is one of the earliest employees of the resort and is a fixture in the mornings near the Pro Shop up at Bandon Dunes.  His uncanny resemblance to a certain jockey lead to the moniker and he has a knack for knowing where your from and what the weather is going to do on the day.

He has also tried his had at golf course construction over the years.  More specifically bunker digging.  The one in the picture above is on one of the early holes at the new Bandon Preserve Par 3 course.  It shares a similar look to the round fairway bunker on #2 at Pacific Dunes, which is also a ‘Shoe’ Bunker.  The other ‘Shoe’ bunker is on #17 at Bandon Trails, way short of the green complex on the right.  I’d recommend staying out of all three.

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is Bill Plaschke serious?

Posted on August 8, 2011 by

Steve Williams’s post round interview yesterday was deplorable.  He took the spotlight off of Adam Scott’s great win at the WGC Bridgestone invitational.  Williams calling this his best week ever was a direct and deliberate shot at Tiger Woods.  Arguing with Tiger and Tiger’s people in the media about how his firing went down is very self serving and will guarantee that it will be THE story when the players show up in Atlanta this week for the PGA championship.

I’m sure Adam Scott isn’t happy with the way things are playing out in the media.  Who would be?  Though his demeanor on the golf course this last week and especially yesterday would indicate that he might have adopted some of Williams’s lesser appreciated qualities.  It also would indicate that he has found a new level of focus that allowed him to snap out of early-round ball striking issues to win a very important golf tournament yesterday.

Did Steve Williams hit any golf shots yesterday?  Absolutely not.  Did he help Adam Scott win the golf tournament?  No question.  And the stats and the eye test since William’s has been on Scott’s bag would suggest that Adam is poised to make a serious run at a Major in the near future.  Would Williams be the reason why?  No.  He isn’t even the most important change Scott has made recently.  That would be the broom style long-putter he now plays with but Stevie has and will continue to help.  Meaning that for Bill Plaschke to suggest that Scott should fire Williams for Stevie’s post round rant is ridiculous.  It continues to show that main stream sports media just doesn’t get golf or golfers.   It is a shame that their coverage only spikes during majors or for anything involving Tiger.

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Tiger’s new shoes

Posted on August 2, 2011 by

Tiger's new shoes

Tiger Woods is playing this week at the BridgeStone invitational in Akron, Ohio.  He played 18 holes yesterday at the Atlanta Athletic club, site of this month’s PGA Championship and 9 holes this morning onsite at Firestone Country Club.  He then gave about a 25 minute press conference afterwards, talking about his health and his caddie change.  ”I’m just focused on trying to win a golf tournament,” he said. “That’s it.”

Two pieces of information of particular interest to me that where covered in the press conference; Tiger’s caddie issues and the new pair of shoes he may or may not wear this week.

Byron Bell will not be Tiger’s long term caddie.  ”Have you seen his legs?” Woods joked.

I don’t think this is all that surprising.  Bell has been a fill-in before (although he was on the bag for Tiger’s third US Amateur win.  An epic come from be-hinder at Pumpkin Ridge) , and this is all that feels like.

Tiger talked about what he would be looking for in Steve Williams’s long-term replacement “…an experienced caddie who’s been there before and understands it, knows how to handle the situation.”  I think you might have just fired that guy Tiger.  But that does sound like he’ll be hiring a looper with plenty of big time tournament experience.  Too bad because I’m sure he has had plenty of more interesting options in the “ton” of applications he received from caddies without PGA tour experience.  I would have liked to see him come out with the caddie from Happy Gilmore.

As for the shoes, well I’m really excited about them.  I am the proud owner of at least a dozen pair of Nike Frees.  They are the best sneakers I have ever wore for walking.  My brother and I, as professional walkers, swear by them.  And we’ve always pined for a golf version.  So did Tiger Woods apparently.  There is no word on when, or if, these will be available to the public.  I hope they are because I’d love a pair.  Although they’d have to be amazing to even make me consider NOT wearing my TRUEs for one round.

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Some good shots, some bad shots.

Posted on August 1, 2011 by


Flexing the muscle of my new MacBook Air, I have ventured into the arena of video editing. Pretty cool.

Posted in Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Golf, Old Macdonald, Pacific Dunes | Leave a comment

Job Opening!!

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

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I don’t think there is a looper in the world surprised at the news today that Tiger and Stevie are done.  Ever since Steve took up with that broom wielding Aussie, Adam Scott, the writing was on the wall.  Steve knew about it for a couple of weeks but decided to keep it quiet in respect to Adam Scott’s chances at the Open.  He also is on record saying that “It was a shock” and that “He was disappointed at the timing”.

I can’t say as if I don’t think this is the right move.  If Tiger is really devoted to making changes in his personal and professional life then it is a no brainer that he start to change the people in his inner circle.  And a caddie is as close to a golfer as someone can get professionally.  I never brought the fact the Steve didn’t know about Tiger’s indiscretions when they where going on, I even have a hard time not believing that Steve wasn’t somehow involved in helping Tiger hide his infidelity.  The fact that they had so little success after the scandal broke and the fact that they are now parting ways gives those thoughts more validity.

I hope both future success.  I think Steve can help Adam Scott reach some of his potential.  You can already see it in the little time they’ve worked together.  A major championship isn’t out of the question although the golf gods might have a hard time giving him the necessary breaks to win a major with a long putter in the bag. 

As I’ve said in this space before, Tiger’s trials and tribulations only make his pursuit of Jack’s record that much more compelling for me.  Being able to right the ship  chase Jack’s major record would be a hell of an accomplishment at this point.  Something that most people had considered a for-gone conclusion not to long ago is now in serious doubt of ever being a story again.  I’m not a Tiger fan, but I’m anxious to see the next chapter in his story.  It is history one way or the other.

And if he needs a good caddie I know where he can find one….

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27 more holes in the future for Bandon?

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

The fact that Mr. Keiser owns and wants to build golf on a piece of property south of Bandon isn’t news to anyone who pays attention to those sort of things around here.  A land swap with the State of Oregon is in the works, and if approved would clear the way for this to become a reality.  MATTY G of Golf Digest interviewed Mr. Keiser and has him on record saying that Gil Hanse would be the architect.  Hanse’s Castle Stuart recently held the Scottish Open and although it was a soggy affair, the golf course is already held in very high regard since opening.

Great news for anyone who loves Bandon and Bandon Dunes.  But after spending part of my morning at the meeting, I’m sure this is only a step in a lengthy process that has been going on for a while and promises to continue for awhile.  I also left the meeting a little dismayed at the process things get done in our state.

Hank Hickox, general manger of Bandon Dunes, gave a compelling presentation about the proposal.  He highlighted Mr. Keiser’s and the resort’s environmental stewardship. He pointed out habitat restoration projects for both the Snowy Plover and an endangered plant species.  He talked about the new Bandon Preserve Par 3 course as being non-profit (proceeds going to the various environmental projects) and the fact that the course is actually creating habitat for the endangered plant.  He also encouraged the members of the State Parks commission, most of whom have never been to the resort, to visit it one their way out of town.  Asking them to at least familiarize themselves with the operation before making a decision.  He also brought in a Coos county commissioner and the head of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce who both voiced their full support for the project.  All in all a good show.

But people can’t help but be cynical.  Most of the people in opposition to the resort can’t help but think of the environmental stewardship as anything other then a smoke screen.  They are of the opinion that Mr. Keiser’s interests in the South Coast go no further then maximizing his profits in his ventures.  They ignore the facts.  His overwhelming support for the local community (numerous scholarships every year for the local high school, support of various charities in Bandon and a 4th of July fireworks display this year.  Just to name a few) aside, they think he is in it for the money.  And while I know Mr. K wants any venture he is involved with to be financially successful, I think he has the good of the Southern Oregon Coast and a larger legacy in mind at this point.

I don’t think the vocal minority will win out.  I don’t even think they’ll make the process any longer then it already was going to be.  I just wish they’d think and as Hank asked the State Park commission to do, at least familiarize themselves with who they are attacking.  Bandon Dunes has been an overwhelmingly positive force on the South Coast since it opened.  Mr. Keiser has made every effort to help improve the lives of the people who live in Bandon and Coos county and should be given every opportunity to continue to do so.  

Posted in Bandon Dunes, Golf, golf course architecture | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

the lie of the week

Posted on July 11, 2011 by

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One of the few times you’ll ever be happy your ball is in the gorse is when it saves you from going over the cliff.  Like it did for this ball on the edge of #13 at Pacific Dunes today.

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Old Macdonald on Steroids.

Posted on July 4, 2011 by

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It isn’t often that a golf course is chosen to hold a USGA event.  There are a bunch of advantages to hosting an event.  The prestige.  The exposure.  So on and so forth.  All of which are really cool.  I think the coolest advantage happens after the USGA leaves.  Us mortals get the opportunity to play a course that has been prepped and premed by the USGA.  Depending on the event, the course is probably playing as hard as it’ll ever play right after the event is over.  For a couple of days (until the supers turn the irrigation back on all the way) you can see just how hard the field had it.

Old Macdonald is currently it that condition.  As she sits this evening, she is rock hard, super fast and dry as bone.  The greens are as smooth as I’ve ever seen putting surfaces at the resort, and they are rolling.  I’m not one to get too excited about conditions, good or bad, but seeing Old Macdonald playing like this might make me reconsider my course hierarchy.

Add a 3 club wind to the mix and the players I worked for today where severely overmatched.  But they had a good attitude about it and I think they enjoyed getting beat up a little.  After awhile all you could do was laugh because 5 footers in that wind on those greens where very, very tricky.

Posted in Bandon Dunes, Golf, Old Macdonald | 2 Comments