Bandon: Oregon's Golf Destination

As a longtime Oregonian, the idea of Bandon as a world-class golf destination seemed almost laughable in the mid-1990s.

Nothing against Bandon. It's a charming little town on the southern Oregon coast, but it's about 270 miles south of the state's only major airport - Portland International Airport - and not easily accessible for out-of-staters. You can take connecting flights to smaller, commercial airports in Eugene, which is about 130 miles northwest of Bandon, and Medford, which is about 170 miles southeast, but it's tough to get much closer without flying into a regional airport.

But in this case, the old "Field of Dreams" adage holds true; if you build it, they will come.

Bandon's Golf Beginnings

Bandon Dunes Golf Course opened for business in 1999, the vision of golf aficionado and businessman Mike Keiser, who figured that the Bandon area's miles of sandy dunes would provide a perfect foundation for a world-class, links-style golf course.

Turns out he was right.

Bandon Dunes is regularly ranked among the nation's top public golf courses, and it attracts golfers from around the world all year long, even during the blustery, chilly, rainy conditions of winter.

The early success of Bandon Dunes was inspiring, both to Keiser and to other golf-minded businessmen, and within a decade, the town had essentially been transformed into a golf mecca, with new courses popping up and word getting out that in Bandon, Oregon was a golf gem unlike few others in the nation.

Bandon's Golf Courses

Bandon Dunes Resort includes the original Bandon Dunes course, as well as Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald.

Another course, Bandon Crossings, offers a budget-friendly option for golf in the area, and although it's farther inland than Bandon Dunes and lacks the ocean views, it still provides a gorgeous backdrop of Oregon's forested, coastal landscape.

As of January, 2011, Bandon Crossings was one of the least expensive of the town's 18-hold golf courses, with winter rates ranging between $35 and $45, spring and fall rates between $40 and $55 and summer rates between $45 and $75.

Bandon Dunes' rates vary by month and season, with December and January the least expensive time to play, as of early 2011, at $75 for Oregon residents and guests of Bandon Dunes Resort and $100 for out-of-state visitors. You'll pay the most between May and October, when the weather on the Oregon coast is likely to be nicest; prices range from $165 for Oregonians and resort guests to $220 for out-of-staters.

Most of the courses in the Bandon area offer group rates, as well, so you can save money by traveling and playing golf with a large group.

More Bandon Attractions

Golf isn't all Bandon has to offer. The town features sandy beaches along its picturesque coastline, seafood restaurants, a museum, shops and art galleries in its downtown district, and a walk-through animal safari - West Coast Game Park - about seven miles north of town.

In addition to being the golf capital of Oregon, Bandon is often referred to as the "cranberry capital of Oregon," with its many cranberry bogs and an annual Cranberry Festival held each September. The event includes a parade and a handful of vendors selling their wares, including cranberry-inspired foods.

Fishing is also a big attraction in Bandon, with the Coquille River meeting up with the Pacific Ocean near the middle of town, offering opportunities for fresh- and salt-water fishing, as well as crabbing.

Sources:
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon Crossings
Attractions, Bandon Oregon Chamber of Commerce
Bandon, Oregon Coast Visitors Association
History, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort