“Here at the edge of the continent, Mike knew his search was over: he had found a place that matched his capacity for wonder.” – Tile on the 14th tee box of Bandon Trails
Welcome to the newest series here on MyGolfSpy: Fairways & Getaways. In this series, we’ll share some of the most beautiful golf experiences around the globe for those of us who will never make it to a professional event. Whether you’ve heard of it or not, pack your travel gear and find that passport, we’re going on an adventure.
For those who live in or have been out in the Pacific Northwest, there is one message that rings clear.
“You have to go to Bandon.”
What do you do? Dunat Bandon special is not just one thing. It is the collection of people, places, courses and memories held within its own unique coastline. And while it may not have been the first to host a “solstice” event, it may just be the best. Admit it, where else can you play four courses at a premier golf resort in the United States, all ranked in the top-16 of the Golf Digest Best Courses?
Oh, and that’s not even including their TWO short courses: The Preserve and Shorty’s.
The Solstice, as it has become known, began in 2011 and proves to be one of the most rewarding (yet challenging) events in casual golf. Each year, one hundred lucky players make the pilgrimage to Bandon, Oregon to participate in an event so unique that sports stars Deron Williams, JR Smith and Roger Clemens have also participated. Golfers walk four courses in one day, totaling over 26.2 miles of stride, and create a memory they’ll talk about for the rest of their lives. I know because I did it in 2019.
In his “Adventures in Golf” YouTube series, Erik Anders Lang (Founder of Random Golf Club) documented his journey to the Solstice and ignited the interest and mystique of this coveted event to those who may not have been familiar with it. Watching this adventure on Youtube sent me down a rabbit hole of questions, which eventually ended with me calling the resort and asking for check-in details.
While the details of how to register have changed over the years (the list, the phone calls, the Google Form, the raffle) Bandon Dunes hasn’t lost the magic that makes the event so special. Entries usually go live in late October/early November and the list is finalized by December. And if you’re one of the lucky few to be chosen, brace yourself for a great ride.
Where to start
The journey begins with your decision to fly. Saving a few bucks and flying to Eugene is 100% mass. Two hours of towering pines and winding streams give way to a sharp drop in temperature and crushing sand dunes. Logging camps and riverside lumber mills add to the atmosphere surrounding the ride as you make your way south down the coastline. Eventually, the resort sign exposes its locations and the playground is revealed. Welcome to Bandon Dunes.
Upon arrival, you are greeted with a Welcome to Punchbowl competition with giveaways, new faces and stories from previous years. Interacting with past and present participants, you’ll believe they were all long-lost friends who have finally reconnected over the years. Friendship CANNOT be overstated, you are now part of a group that was once claimed to be more exclusive than getting tickets to the Masters.
Knowing full and well what the next morning holds, eat an early dinner (eat at Pacific Dunes and enjoy an evening drink at their PunchBowl fire pits) and then head to bed. Remember, it’s literally a marathon (not a sprint) and rest is of the utmost importance. Breakfast the next morning and a quick shuttle ride to the range/tee box follows suit and then you’re off.
And here we go!
Pace in the first round is crucial. Depending on the factors, this will be the easiest and most enjoyable round of the day before the wind (and possibly rain) hits your golf parade.
The boats seamlessly transition you from course to course, the boxes offering hilarious small talk between story shots that would rival FDR’s fireside chats. Soak in their knowledge of the courses, stories of previous rounds, the history of the land and local wildlife. Before you know it, you’ll be walking down 18th Street on your way to a clean $100 bill and a truly lifelong memory.
My group was lucky enough to play the Pacific – Trails – Old Mac – Dunes rotation which meant sunset views on the course that started it all. Holes 16-18 were some of the best I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in my entire life. Watching the sunset with the Pacific Ocean in the background is easily one of my top five golf memories. The day, along with good friends, great weather (we were very lucky) and a truly top notch golf resort, made it definitely the best golf trip I have (and will) ever take.
After the chaos dies down and the dust settles, a dinner party is waiting at McKee’s pub. Overlooking the first summit of the resort’s original course, participants swap stories, share memories and joke about their rounds. You’ll see familiar faces from the day before and meet new ones who are all part of this special brotherhood.
Looking back, I would do this event again in a heartbeat. Walking 72 holes is not for the faint of heart. There are tricks and tips that will help you have the time of your life. Tips and tricks abound and are willingly shared with all who ask. That morning, though, boy, nothing can prepare your body for how it feels like landing a scene from the Walking Dead.
My only regret was that I couldn’t stay longer.
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