Bandon Crossings: A change of pace on the Oregon Coast

From an Inside Golf reader who recently played Bandon Crossings: I love Bandon Golf! I love the quaint town and the ocean views. My golf budget however struggles so I looked for a solution. I found one: Bandon Crossings is an answer to budgetary woes and what a course this budget affords.

I knew I had not stepped away from quality golf when I saw the first-rate practice facility and the line of mature cypress trees. This is all just from the parking lot. Standing on the first tee you can see that there is a little bit of elevation change. My first round I had no idea how much the property moves. The course wanders through nearly treeless land on the north, and moves into a forest setting to the south, with a challenge with every shot. Although there is only 80 feet of total elevation change, there is seldom a completely flat lie. The par-3’s are magnificent, from the 60-foot drop on number 14 into a bottomland flanked by two small creeks, to No. 17 that must carry over a pond.

The 18th hole finishes one of the best gambling holes of all time. If you don’t get a good drive you’ll have to lay up on your second shot leaving your partner the opportunity to go for the green on this par-5. The 80-foot arroyo that cuts across the fairway at 200 yards out insists that you have your best stroke or you may lose much more than a golf ball.

Next time I want to come back with some buddies and stay in A Home on the Range, a big sprawling farm house right at the driving range or maybe an oceanfront home right in town. I will be back.