Bandon Dunes in Sept or Oct?

Part of a foursome coming over to Bandon and have pretty much decided it will be in the fall. We plan on flying into Portland in the morning and then try to sneek an afternoon round at Pumkin Ridge. Then wake up early the next morning and drive to Bandon. I know it%26#39;s a long drive from Portland, but that%26#39;s what we%26#39;ve decided to do. Thinking about playing 4 rounds in 3 days (18 the 1st day, 36 the 2nd and 18 the 3rd). Is that too much? Or should we try for one more? Any tips on where to stay or places to eat whould be greatly appreciated. I%26#39;m sure I forgot to mention something, so I%26#39;ll check back in soon. Thanks!

Bandon Dunes in Sept or Oct?

I think that if you hope to get tee times more than two weeks out at Bandon, you%26#39;ll have to stay on site. You%26#39;d want to anyway; it helps to make the experience. There are several options for meals; most popular are the lounge in the lodge overlooking Bandon Dunes%26#39;s 18th green, and the pub in the building next door. Our favorite breakfast spot is the little cafe in the Bandon Trails clubhouse.

Is the 18 at Pumpkin Ridge one of the four rounds? Or, are you playing four at Bandon? I know many who%26#39;ve played two rounds in one day there, so it%26#39;s definitely doable. But, instead of playing one of the courses twice (if you%26#39;re playing four rounds at Bandon), consider a round at Bandon Crossings, which doesn%26#39;t have the steep greens fees of the Bandon Dunes Resort courses. Nice track, according to my brother.

Plan on 4.5 hours for the drive from Portland to Bandon. Quickest route is down I-5 to exit 162, which takes you to the coast on hwy 138. A section of that road parallels the Umpqua River; beautiful scenery....

Bandon Dunes in Sept or Oct?

Thanks for the quick reply Mistletoe. Looking to play five rounds in 4 days. One at Pumpkin Ridge, and then the other 4 at Bandon. If we do 18, 36 %26amp; 18 at Bandon, what order would you advise to play the courses? Is Bandon Crossing affiliated with Bandon Dunes? We will most likely stay at the resort, so how far of a drive is it to Bandon Crossing? Thanks.

I don%26#39;t think 4.5 hours from Portland to Bandon is realistic. That would mean averaging 50mph. An early start might run into rush hour traffic getting out of Portland (and hope there%26#39;s no accident in the Wilsonville bottleneck, construction in the Salem area or any other delays getting through Eugene/Sprinfield). And the North Bend/Coos Bay area will also require slower speeds. I think 6 hours would be a safer estimate. If all goes well and it takes less time, that%26#39;s a happier situation than being aggravated because the drive was taking so long.

And I didn%26#39;t allow time for a lunch break and rest area stops.

No disrespect meant oregonpoppa, but my brother lives up here and does most of his work at Bandon, so makes this drive a few times a week. He lives in the gorge and can make it in 4.5 hours most of the time, but allows 5. I think that possible because of the stretches where the speed limit is higher.

heh, heh...have you asked your brother HOW fast he flies in those sections of the trip? Not sure we want to recommend such speeds on TA. And no disrespect interpreted. keggero now has a range of times to play with. Hope keggero doesn%26#39;t drive too fast with a keg onboard!

Re the drive time, I thought 4.5 hours, knowing it usually takes us about 4 from my home in the SW Portland %26#39;burbs.

Bandon Dunes is I think the easiest of the three courses, keggero, so it might be best for your first round. Play Pacific Dunes on the morning of the 36 hole day, then Bandon Trails that afternoon. If you stick with the plan to play all four rounds at Bandon Dunes Resort, I%26#39;m guessing you%26#39;d want to play Pacific a second time.

No, Bandon Crossings isn%26#39;t affiliated with Bandon Dunes. It%26#39;s located about 5 miles south of town, whereas Bandon Dunes is about 5 miles north. Only been open for a few years, but gotten a fair amount of attention: http://www.bandoncrossings.com/homepage .

oregonpoppa--Actually, he drives the speed limit. But he does avoid rush hours. Now we won%26#39;t mention how fast SIL drives, or with how many cell phones in her hands. Course I don%26#39;t want to be anywhere near where she is driving...ever:) You%26#39;ve probably seen her as she has family in your area. Want me to send a car description so you can avoid? :)

%26gt;%26gt;Want me to send a car description so you can avoid? :)%26lt;%26lt;

LOL, Mtngrl, many years ago . . . my Grandma had always been a poor driver, and got worse as she aged. So, just after she had received her license renewal through about age 90(!), my Dad gave her a present -- a new paint job for her car. She was pleased, that is until she saw it.

Knowing she was going to keep driving, my Dad had the car painted *bright* bright orange! He figured at least all the drivers would have a fair chance of seeing her and getting out of her way, lol.

Skip the car description. If Darwin was right, future generations will have adapted and their ears will just grow their own cell phones. Most of the cars coming down our hill (meaning they probably just left home) already have drivers talking on their cell phones. And, of course, returning home, they have to announce their location and arrival time, don%26#39;t they?

If she%26#39;s enroute to Bandon, she%26#39;ll probably just fly through Eugene on I-5, not poke around in town, where our locals ignore traffic signs and lights and think bicyclists are targets. Besides, our potholes would certainly slow her down.

I still think that, with a stop for lunch, we%26#39;re talking 6 hours...but, then, I%26#39;m stubborn.