Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on Oregon's southern coast is home to four of America's top golf courses. The resort was the conception of Mike Keiser, an avid lover of links golf in Scotland, and the resort was built in a similar mold.
The resort's flagship golf course, Bandon Dunes, was designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd. Soon after, Tom Doak built the Pacific Dunes course which has been rated as high as No. 1 in America by some golf publications. Next, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw added an inland golf course, Bandon Trails, which starts and finishes on dunesland but plays mostly through dense pines.
The fourth golf course, Old Macdonald, fully opens in the summer of 2010, but preview play of a 10-hole loop is currently being offered.
Designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, it pays tribute to the works of C.B. Mcdonald, considered the grandfather of American golf course design and who helped found the USGA. Many of the holes will be inspired by some of Macdonald's favorite holes in the world, many of which are from Scotland.
Here's a look at some of WorldGolf.com Senior Writer Brandon Tucker's best photos from his trip in the summer of 2009.
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The par-4 second hole on the Pacific Dunes course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort plays straight out to sea. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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Perhaps the most photographed of the holes at Bandon Dunes is the long, par-4 fourth hole on the Pacific Dunes course. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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Pacific Dunes (foreground) and Old Macdonald (background) play alongside each other at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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Opening in 2010, Old Macdonald will be the fourth championship golf course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and will have the largest greens of the lot. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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The par-4 fifth hole at Bandon Dunes plays through a chute of gorse along the coast. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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The sixth hole at Bandon Dunes is a par 3 that hugs the coastline. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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The par-4 16th hole at Bandon Dunes plays along the coast and can be driven from the tee with the prevailing wind. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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Three greens all sit in succession on the coastline at Bandon Dunes: No. 15, 12 and 4. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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Bandon Trails plays mostly through dense pine trees, including the par-4 fourth hole. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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The par-4 14th hole at Bandon Trails is drivable from the tee, but the green may be the resort's toughest to hold. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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The Old Macdonald course at Bandon Dunes golf Resort features four inspired-by holes from the Old Course in St. Andrews, including the par-3 "Short. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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The seventh hole on the Old Macdonald course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort will head up the hill to a green perched overlooking the coast. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
