Have you ever thought if you had one day to golf, how would you spend it? On my most recent journey, I found myself thinking about just that. I’m fresh back from a one-day exploration of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. I’m happy to report that I had the best golf day of my life. The day started with 18 holes on Bandon Dunes, followed by lunch and drinks at Bandon Trails. My second 18 was on Pacific Dunes. By this time, I was already contemplating where to play my next 18, and we’ll get there shortly.
I was solo, just a golfer living life to the fullest. Saturday, April 22nd, everything just fell into place for me. I was paired with two brothers from the Pacific Northwest, both regulars at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. For me, an Orlando resident, Bandon Dunes is a pilgrimage I rarely get to make. I decided to go all-in while I only had one day at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
So yeah, back to the golf. Eighteen holes on Bandon Dunes, I had a 7:30 AM tee time and was paired up with the two brothers, both playing the gold tees. I played a little further back from the green tees. Hindsight is 20/20; I should have joined them on the gold tees. Both were pretty good sticks and made a mile of putts with the help of their caddie.
Before the 18 holes on Bandon Dunes, I sat at my favorite breakfast table. The resort no longer offers a al carte menu but a high-end breakfast buffet for $18.50. An absolute steal of a value. I started with scrambled eggs that included local Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese. I’m picky about my waffles; the ones on the buffet were too spongey. I politely asked my server if they could make me a fresh waffle. They told me no problem without a second thought, and a new waffle was served a few moments later. Knowing I would be walking at least 36 holes, I decided to ensure I got a good breakfast, but not too much that I would feel uncomfortable.
Back to golf, I opted for a caddie, as I always recommend. Matthew was my assigned caddie, keeping me company for the first 36 holes. My playing partners, Craig and Mitch, had their caddie, “TK,” who was an absolute blast and a great green reader. Yea, I had a slight case of caddie jealousy.
The first 18 flew by. It’s always amazing how good the pace of play is at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. As a 3-ball, I thought we would be waiting on every hole, but I can’t remember waiting once. I felt terrific after a fabulous poke bowl for lunch, two cider beers, a shot of Casa Amigos, and a sugar-free Red Bull.
That next 18 on Pacific Dunes was scheduled for 1:30. I was done with lunch well ahead of that time and anxious to get off early, hoping to get more golf in after Pacific Dunes. To kill time, I ended up in the pro shop and found a GFORE polo shirt I had to buy. Who can visit Bandon Dunes without picking up some swag?
The starter moved my tee time up 10 minutes, and low and behold. I was paired with my old friends Craig, Mitch, and TK. As I said, things just fell into place. Oh, did I mention the weather was fabulous? Everyone at the resort was proclaiming that this was by far the best day of the year thus far.
I played much better on Pacific and had it rolling on the back nine until the last hole when I tried to do something I shouldn’t have and go for the green in two with a 3-wood. The wrong decision spoiled what would have been an above-average scorecard for me.
No way I could leave with that bad taste in my mouth. Before I finished 18, I planned on heading to the Sheep Ranch and trying to fit in as many holes as possible. When I arrived at the pro shop, it was a ghost town. When I told them I was trying to get my 3rd round in, they said I would get ten holes if I were lucky. Just a reminder, your 3rd round of the day at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is always free of charge.
I grabbed a rik shaw trolley and headed to the first tee. I was still determining how many holes I was going to play. I figured anything was better than nothing. After two bad drives, one was a dinner ball. I was off to a start, similar to my finish on Pacific Dunes. Luckily I turned it around and quickly began stringing pars together and even a birdie along the way. One group of caddies played before me, and we played the 3rd hole together. After nearly making an ace on the par-3, I headed to the 4th with everyone thinking I was a fantastic golfer. Little do they know :).
Nobody was in front of me once the caddies let me play through. As I got to about the 8th hole, one of the groups playing 16th, the caddie suggested I jump ahead and play 16-18 to take in some of the best holes on the course. I pushed forward and kept with the standard course routing.
As I made it to the back nine, a light rain started, I didn’t have any rain gear, so I was praying it would not downpour. I stayed determined and had the all-clear in front of me. As I played the 10th, I noticed the staff in the pro shop peeking out to check on my progress. Half worried they would call me in, I hurried up and hit my tee shot.
As I got to the 13th, I felt I could get all 18 holes in. By the time I got to the 15th, I knew I would finish all 18 holes, and guess what? I was playing some of my best golf. The par train was trucking, with an occasional bogey here or there but no disasters since that first hole.
The 17th is my favorite on the course. As I crushed my drive down the fairway, I was just on cloud 9. By this time, I knew I would get three rounds of golf in on some of the best golf courses in the world. At this point, I started thinking to myself, what a day. I could die a happy man, thank goodness I didn’t, but I would have been satisfied.
As I finished the 18th and returned to the clubhouse, the staff was outside waiting to greet me. The staff might have been just as happy to see me as I was to see them. As I walked up close, they congratulated me for setting the course record. I laughed and said guys, I played well but could have done better. They said not your score. That’s the fastest anyone has ever played the course. So I got that story to tell for the rest of my life while I wait for another day like the one I had at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The only thing that could top today would be completing the Bandon Dunes Solstice and playing four courses in one day. One of these years!