Golf, may 30, 2014

� FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014 � SPECIAL SECTION

GOLFWWW.SPOKESMAN.COM/GOLF

Sweet spotJust a day’s drive away, Oregon’s Bandon Dunes Resort

offers spectacular golfing experience | STORIES INSIDE

Pictured: Pacific Dunes, one of fourcourses at Bandon Dunes Resort,

boasts this oceanside par-3 No. 11,surrounded by sand and beach grass.

INSIDE » Directory of local courses,including updated fees | PAGES 9 & 10

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2014 GOLF SECTION Friday, May 30, 2014 The Spokesman-Review

I changed the screensaver onmy computer shortly afterreturning from a two-day,

72-hole golf marathon lastmonth at Bandon Dunes.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I took abunch of pictures. My older brothersJack, Pat and Mike took a bunch ofpictures. We had starters take theobligatory pictures of our foursomestanding with drivers in hand on severaltee boxes.

We have dozens of snaps of greensframed by stunning Pacific Oceanbackdrops. We have pictures of rollinghills of gorse bordering the humps andbumps of a twisting fairway. We havevisual evidence of bunkers meanderingalong the edges of cliffs high above theocean. We have one of a stately Rolexclock near the practice center. We

“There’s nothing better than having four guys together at the bar and they’re arguing which course is better

“And none of them are backing down.”

Jeff Simonds,director of golf at Bandon Dunes

Picture perfect golf

Courtesy photo

The brothers Meehan (from left Jack, Pat, Mike, Jim) at Bandon Dunes Resort for a spectacular two-day, 72-hole golf odyssey.

Two days, 72 holes andlasting memories atOregon’s Bandon Dunes

By Jim Meehan

[email protected], (208) 765-7131

See ODYSSEY, K4

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2014 GOLF SECTIONSpokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Friday, May 30, 2014


photographed three deerwandering along a path.

The first picture I snappedwas on our first hole, a par-4 atOld Macdonald. My drive was atad left and all I saw in front ofme was a raised bunker thatmade the bottom section of theflagstick disappear. The last oneI took was from the side of the18th green at Bandon Duneswith our hotel in thebackground.

I’m not much of a

picture-taker but this placesimply demands it. There’s noplace in the U.S. that comparesto Bandon and its four 18-holelinks courses, 13-hole par-3track and massive Punchbowlputting course.

The four courses have theirown identities. Green fees arethe same at all four, whichspeaks to the excellence of eachcourse. All four have earnedtheir share of accolades.

“There’s nothing better thanhaving four guys together at thebar and they’re arguing whichcourse is better,” director of

golf Jeff Simonds said. “Andnone of them are backingdown.”

It’s pure links golf, or as themotto above one of the proshops reads, “Golf as it wasmeant to be.” Players comefrom all over the world to playat Bandon. States representedthe most, in no particular order,are California, Illinois, Oregon,Texas and Washington. Floridaand New York are close behind.

“The most common responseI get (from British and Scottishgolfers) is, ‘You guys are everybit as authentic as we’d heard,’

” Simonds said. “They say, ‘Wefelt like we were playing athome.’ ”

It was roughly a 10-hourdrive for me and about 7 hoursfor Jack, who lives in westernWashington. Flying intoPortland, which leaves about4½ hours of drive time, or intoEugene, which leaves about 2½hours behind the wheel, canshorten your travel day.

It’s the longest trip I’ve takenby car for a golf story. I oncedrove, played two rounds atSuncadia in Cle Elum and droveback home, 18 hours. I once

drove, played three coursesnear I-90 and drove back home,16 hours. I’ve driven to westernWashington to play ChambersBay, another links gem that willhost the 2015 U.S. Open. I’vemade that drive four times now,another clue that I’m a huge fanof links golf.

It was mid April, mostlysunny and the temperatureswere comfortable in Bandon.Calm morning winds gave wayto steady breezes in theafternoon. We thought it was

Courtesy photo

Hole No. 6 at Bandon Dunes, a 161-yard par 3 with a spectacular ocean view, has all the makings of an impressive screensaver.

Continued from K2ODYSSEY

See ODYSSEY , K5

(509)335-4342 or visit palouseridge.com

Seniors (60+) play for $40, 7 days a week!

Play Palouse Ridge


windy. Everyone atBandon Dunes informedus the conditions werepretty tame.

My right knee, which isin need of an upgrade, isabout the only thing thatvoiced objections to this2,400-acre masterpiecealong the southernOregon coast. Itprevented us fromsampling the par-3 coursebefore our journey home.I wasn’t able to play golffor the next two weeks,but it was worth everyswing and every step.

I’m certain of twothings. One, I’ll go back toBandon someday. Two, Iwent with a screensaverof No. 6 at Bandon Dunes,a 161-yard par 3 with aspectacular ocean view.The coastline jags alongthe left edge, red flagstarched on a green withseveral distinct swales. Acouple of yellow flagsfrom Pacific Trails can beseen in the distance.

Just one of 72 holesworth remembering.

Continued from K4ODYSSEY

JIM MEEHAN [email protected]

Yardage books and caddies are highly recommended.

Golf Digest’s greatest 100 courses in America

19). Pacific Dunes38). Bandon Dunes49). Old Macdonald70). Bandon Trails

Golf Digest’s greatest 100 public courses

3). Pacific Dunes6). Bandon Dunes12). Old Macdonald16). Bandon Trails

Golf Magazine’s top 100 courses in the world

20). Pacific Dunes63). Bandon Dunes88). Old Macdonald

BANDON DUNES RESORT GREENS FEESRates for Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails and Old Macdonald:

Resort guest Non-resort guest Oregon residents

January $75 $100 $75February $95 $125 $95March $125 $160 $125April $170 $210 $170May-June $235 $280 n/aJuly-September $250 $295 n/aOctober $235 $280 n/aNovember 1-23 $140 $185 $140

* Non-Resort Guest and Oregon Resident tee times can be reserved up to 21 days inadvance of play.More info online: www.Bandondunesgolf.com

RATES FOR BANDON PRESERVE, PAR-3Jan-Feb March-Apr. May-Oct Nov. 1-23 Nov. 24-Dec.31

$50 $75 $100 $75 $50

No. 7 hole atBandon Preserve,a 13-hole par-3course in theBandon DunesResort family.


http://www.Bandondunesgolf.com


O ld Macdonald was first on our36-hole opening day and it wasa pleasant way to break in. It’s a

tad more open and forgiving than itsthree older brothers.

The green complexes are enormous.

I encountered a few putts of 125 feetor longer. Old Macdonald’s greenscover 6.3 acres. By comparison, St.Andrews’ greens are 6.1 acres. Mike isprobably the best putter of the fourMeehan brothers. He missed twofairways and still shot in the mid-80s,thanks to numerous three-putts. Hissecond shots usually found the green

but were a cab ride away from thecup.

Old Macdonald is a tribute to famedAmerican course architect C. B.Macdonald, who as a youngsterplayed at links courses overseas andincorporated those characteristics

Courtesy photo

The par-5 15th hole is reachable in two and is the first of four great finishing holes at Old Macdonald.

Greens galore Old MacdonaldBlack teesYardage: 6,944Rating/slope: 74.1/133Green teesYardage: 6,320Rating/slope: 71.3/127Gold teesYardage: 5,658Rating/slope, men: 68.2/119Rating/slope, women: 73.9/129 Royal blue teesYardage: 4,258Rating/slope, men: 62.6/104Rating/slope, women: 66.4/108

Old Macdonald boasts largest greens complex in U.S.By Jim Meehan


See MACDONALD, K8


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into his designs on U.S. soil. Tom Doakand Jim Urbina followed similar tenetsdesigning Old Macdonald, whichopened in 2010.

“It probably most resembles whatyou’d find at the Old Course, that’s acomparison people make who haveplayed both,” director of golf JeffSimonds said. “Everything is right outin front of you. You hit it, find it and hitit again. It has the largest greenscomplex in the U.S.

“That doesn’t necessarily make iteasier. You look at it and want to thinkyou can overpower it and you can’t. It’simportant to understand the principlesof the design. Keep it in the fairway andtry not to cut corners and get caught inbad situations.”

Old Macdonald starts out gently witha 304-yard par 4. The second shot isthe key with a raised sand trap in frontof the green becoming an issue if youdon’t have the proper angle. Thesecond hole is a par 3 with a devilishpot bunker in front and a tough,back-to-front sloping green. A ‘3’ isworthy of celebration. I left thecelebrating to two of my brothers aftera faulty chip failed to reach a back pinlocation.

Aim your blind, uphill tee shot on thepar-4 third just right of the cedar tree.You’ll find plenty of open fairway spaceafter walking to the crest of the hill.The fifth hole is just 134 yards butmounds on the sizable green require acalculated tee shot. When we reachedthe green, we could hear the sound ofocean waves crashing and thetemperature dropped several degrees.

Nos. 7 and 8 are flat-out gorgeous.The seventh requires a placement driveand an uphill second shot to a wide,shallow green. Bring your putter andyour camera to the green, which gazesout into the Pacific.

“We put the turnaround snack shopup there,” Simonds said. “We joke thatit’s probably the best job at this placebecause of the ocean views and thesmiles on players’ faces.”

The tee shot on the par-3 eighth hadus scratching our heads and wishingwe’d hired a caddy. With an elevatedtee box, stout cross wind and a greenthat could double as a football field –aside from the swale in the middle – wemade our best guesses on the distanceand all four of us hit the green. Threeof us three-putted. My second putt wasfrom 12 feet.

The 399-yard 11th resembles the roadhole at St. Andrews. I missed the

angled green and found a bunker left. Ihad to hit it out sideways andscrambled for bogey.

The four finishing holes arememorable. The par-5 15th is reachablein two. I reached too far, with mysecond shot skittering over the greenbut just 30 feet from the hole. I was 65feet away after a lousy chip. Threeputts later I marked down a ‘6.’

The 16th, a 433-yarder into the wind,is a handful. A well-struck drive to theright side of the fairway will give you aview of the green, otherwise you’ll facea blind second shot. As you exit thegreen, ring the bell to let the groupbehind knows it’s safe to hit theirapproach shots.

No. 17, a 515-yard par 5, is reachablein two but you’ll have to navigate pastnumerous fairway bunkers and a largetrap left of the green. The combinationof a red pin and the wind at our backsleft our foursome with long putts –mine from 140 feet.

The 18th is 426 yards but playedshorter with a tailwind. Use the ridgeon the back left side of the green tofunnel balls toward pins located in themiddle and to the right.

“That four-hole stretch is fabulous,”Simonds said.

The course is wonderful, and not justbecause I drained a 25-footer for birdieon No. 1. Old Macdonald was a close

second behind Bandon Dunes as mypersonal favorite.

“You can have golfers of all skill leveland ability and you can play the sameball,” Simonds said. “It’s not tricked up.

There’s nothing to worry about otherthan where to hit the golf ball, noforced 2carries, just golf. You couldplay that place with a putter.”

Maybe that’s where we went wrong!

Continued from K6MACDONALD

Courtesy photo

Bring your putter and your camera to the green on No. 7 at Old Macdonald, which gazes out into the Pacific Ocean.

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1102 N. Liberty Lake Road I Liberty Lake, WA 99019

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AREA DIRECTORYSpokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Friday, May 30, 2014

The following is adirectory of area golfcourses.

•Avondale GC (208) 772-5963.18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays, $59.50,except Mondays at $37.50. After 1p.m., $40.50. 9-holeweekends/weekdays, $31.50.18-hole cart fee: $30; 9-hole: $15.Tee times: no deadlines.www.avondalegolfcourse.com. •Bryden Canyon GC (208)746-0863. 18-hole greens fees:weekends $26; weekdays, $22.9-hole: daily, $17. 18-hole cart fee:$14 per seat; 9-hole: $9 per seat.Tee times: no deadlines.www.brydencanyongolf.com. •Chewelah G&CC (509)935-6807. Until May 15: 27 holes(includes cart), $50 on weekends,$45 M-Th.; 18 holes $40/$35. May16-Sept. 1: 27 holes $60/$55; 18holes $50/$45. Sept. 2-seasonclose: 27 holes $50/$45; 18 holes$40/$35. Seniors $5 discountM-Th.; juniors $5 discount on 9holes, $10 on 18 or 27 holes M-Th.Walking rates all season: 9 holes$17, 18 holes $35/$30, 27 holes$40/$35. Tee times: no deadlines.www.chewelahgolf.com. •Circling Raven GC (800)523-2464. 18-hole greens fees(with golf cart and use of practicerange): Through May 15:Monday-Thursday: $65,Friday-Sunday: $75; May 16-Sep.28: Monday-Thursday: $80,Friday-Sunday: $95. Sep. 30-endof season: Monday-Thursday:$65, Friday-Sunday $75. Teetimes: 30 days in advance.www.circlingraven.com. •Coeur d'Alene GC (208)765-0218. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays, $28.30,$23.59 for seniors, $15 for juniors.9-hole: weekends/weekdays,$16.04, $14.15 for seniors, $10 forjuniors. 18-hole cart fee: $27;9-hole: $17. Single person 18-holecart fee: $16.04; 9-hole $9.43. Teetimes: Friday-Sunday andholidays, call prior Tuesday;Mon-Thurs, prior Thursday.www.cdapublicgolf.com. •Coeur d'Alene Resort (208)

667-4653. 18-hole greens fees:weekdays/weekends, April: $150for day guests, twilight rate Aprildaily $75, (after 2:00),May/October: $150-$175, twilight$75-$90, June/September: $195,twilight $110; July/August: $220,twilight $135. Fees include cart,range balls and forecaddie, sportsmassage and complimentary bagtag. Best values: Golf packagesavailable, include lodging andgolf. Spring starting at $99 perperson based on doubleoccupancy. Specials will beannounced throughout the year.Tee times: no deadline if stayingat hotel. Call for Good Neighborspecials starting at $75.www.cdaresort.com. •Colfax G&CC (509) 397-2122.Summer rates: 18-hole greensfees weekend/weekdays, $23.9-hole: weekends/weekdays, $16.18-hole cart fee: $20; 9-hole: $14.Tee times: weekends, call one dayin advance; weekdays, nodeadlines. •Dominion Meadows GC (509)684-5508. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $28/25;Senior 18-hole: $25/$23. College$23, Junior $12 (no weekendrates), 9-hole fee:weekends/weekdays $20/$18;Senior 9-hole: $18/$16. College

$16, Junior $12. Tee times: Call oneday in advance.www.colvillegolf.com. •Deer Park G&CC (509)276-5912. 18-hole greens fees:weekends $30 ($20 for sunsetrate after 3 p.m., with $10 cartfee); weekdays (Monday-Friday)$27 ($22 for seniors). 9-hole:weekends after 3 p.m., $18.50 ($17for seniors); weekdays(Monday-Friday) $18.50 ($17 forseniors). 18-hole cart fee: $30;9-hole: $15. Tee times: weekends/weekdays, call one week inadvance. www.deerparkgolf.com. •Downriver GC (509) 327-5269.18-hole greens fees: weekends$32, weekdays(Monday-Thursday) $29, (withdiscount card the weekends are$25, weekdays $22). 9-hole:weekends $32 ($13 after 3.p.m),weekdays $21 (with discount cardweekends $25 after 3 p.m.,weekdays $18). 18-hole cart fee:$10; 9-hole: $10. Tee times:weekends, call previous Fridaystarting at 2 p.m.; weekdays, calltwo days in advance by 2 p.m.www.spokaneparks.org. •Esmeralda GC (509) 487-6291.18-hole greens fees: weekends$32, weekdays(Monday-Thursday) $29, (withdiscount card the weekends are

$25, weekdays $22). 9-hole:weekends $32 ($13 after 3.p.m),weekdays $21 (with discount cardweekends $25 after 3 p.m.,weekdays $18). 18-hole cart fee:$10; 9-hole: $10. Tee times:weekends, call previous Fridaystarting at 2 p.m.; weekdays, calltwo days in advance by 2 p.m.www.spokaneparks.org. •The Fairways GC (509)747-8418. 18-hole: Tuesday-Fridaygreens fees $24; Monday $19(high school students $11, seniorcitizens $19, everyday); weekends$29. 9-hole: weekends/weekdays$17. Everyday after 4 p.m. $19. Teetimes: weekends/weekday teetime opening varies, callclubhouse for availability.www.golfthefairways.com. •Hangman Valley GC (509)448-1212. 18-hole greens fees:weekdays (Monday-Thursday),$29, weekend $31; rate forpre-book $35; county discountcard $23 M-Th, weekends $26;9-hole: weekdays $22, weekend$31; after 3pm $22. Seniors ratewith discount card M-Th $21,weekend $26; after 3pm $21.Juniors – 9 or 18-hole $15. 18-holesingle cart fee: $15; 9-hole: $7.50.Tee times: weekends, call theprevious Saturday by 7 a.m.;weekdays, call on Tuesday at 7a.m. •Harrington G&CC (509)253-4308. 18-hole greens fees:Wednesday-Friday $20, $18 forseniors; $14 for juniors. 9-hole:$16, $12 for seniors, $10 for juniors.Monday-Tuesday $17. 9-hole: $12.Weekends $24, 9-hole $18.18-hole cart fee: $24; 9-hole: $14.

Tee times: no deadlines.harringtonbiz.com/golf.htm. •Highlands GC (208) 773-3673.18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $35; seniorsweekdays/weekends after 1 p.m.$28; juniors, weekdays $15 andweekends $22 until 1 p.m. thenback to $15; 9-hole: $22weekdays/weekends after 1 p.m.;18-hole cart fee: $14 per seat;9-hole: $7 per seat. Tee times:weekends, call up to one week inadvance; weekdays, up to oneweek in advance. Twilight time isafter 4 p.m. and is $25 with cart,$20 without.www.thehighlandsgc.com. •Idaho Club (208) 265-2345.18-hole greens fees: $125 includesgolf cart. Twilight rate (after 2p.m.) $80. Tee times required. •Indian Canyon GC (509)747-5353. 18-hole greens fees:weekends $32, weekdays(Monday-Thursday) $29, (withdiscount card the weekends are

$25, weekdays $22). 9-hole:weekends $32 ($13 after 3.p.m),weekdays $21 (with discount cardweekends $25 after 3 p.m.,weekdays $18). 18-hole cart fee:$10; 9-hole: $10. Tee times:weekends, call previous Fridaystarting at 2 p.m.; weekdays, calltwo days in advance by 2 p.m.www.spokaneparks.org. •Liberty Lake GC (509)255-6233. 18-hole greens fees:weekdays (Monday-Thursday),$29, weekend $31; rate forpre-book $35; county discountcard $23 M-Th, weekends $26;9-hole: weekdays $22, weekend$31; after 3pm $22. Seniors ratewith discount card M-Th $21,weekend $26; after 3pm $21.Juniors – 9 or 18-hole $15. 18-holesingle cart fee: $15; 9-hole: $7.50.Tee times: weekends, call theprevious Saturday by 7 a.m.;

See DIRECTORY, K10

FILE The Spokesman-Review

Spring at Indian Canyon, overlooking 1st and 9th holes.

http://www.libertylakewa.gov

http://www.deerparkgolf.com

http://www.avondalegolfcourse.com

http://www.brydencanyongolf.com

http://www.chewelahgolf.com

http://www.circlingraven.com

http://www.cdapublicgolf.com

http://www.cdaresort.com

http://www.colvillegolf.com

http://www.deerparkgolf.com

http://www.spokaneparks.org


http://www.golfthefairways.com

http://www.thehighlandsgc.com


Spokane County Golf CoursesSpokane County Golf Courses

HANGMAN VALLEY (509) 448-1212

LIBERTY LAKE (509) 255-6233

MEADOWWOOD (509) 255-9539

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AREA DIRECTORY Friday, May 30, 2014 The Spokesman-Review

weekdays, call on Tuesday at 7a.m. •The Links GC , Post Falls (208)777-7611. 18-hole greens fees (allprices include tax): Friday,Saturday, Sunday $36; Monday,Wednesday, Thursday $31; 9-holeFriday, Saturday, Sunday $26;Monday, Wednesday, Thursday$21; Tight-Wad-Tuesday: 18-hole:$21; 9-hole: $14. Seniors 60+: $26for 18 holes, $16 for 9 holes.Juniors: $17 for 18 holes, $12 for 9holes. 18-hole cart fee: $30;9-hole: $15. Tee times: nodeadlines. •MeadowWood GC (509)255-9539. 18-hole greens fees:weekdays (Monday-Thursday),$29, weekend $31; rate forpre-book $35; county discountcard $23 M-Th, weekends $26;9-hole: weekdays $22, weekend$31; after 3pm $22. Seniors ratewith discount card M-Th $21,weekend $26; after 3pm $21.Juniors – 9 or 18-hole $15. 18-holesingle cart fee: $15; 9-hole: $7.50.Tee times: weekends, call theprevious Saturday by 7 a.m.;weekdays, call on Tuesday at 7a.m.www.meadowwoodgolf.com. � Mirror Lake Municipal GolfCourse, Bonners Ferry, Idaho(208) 267-5314. 9-hole greensfees: $16, weekends and holidays$18, juniors $9. 18-hole: $23,weekends and holidays $25,juniors $13. Cart trail fee: $5. • Palouse Ridge GC (509)335-4342. 18-hole greens fees forresidents (live within 40-mileradius): $50. Non-residents: $99.Seniors (60+)/Faculty and Staff:$40. Students: $40(Monday-Thursday $30). Juniors(17-): $20. Twilight: $40. 9-holegreens fees: $40 before 8 a.m.and after 3 p.m.. Cart fees: allrates include a cart.www.palouseridge.com. •Pine Acres (509)466-9984.18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $13;seniors/juniors (weekdays only)$12. 9-hole: weekends/weekdays$9; seniors/juniors (weekdaysonly) $8. Pull carts $1. Tee times:none. Range bucket prices: 135balls for $11, 90 balls for $8, 60balls for $7. � Pinehurst GC , Pinehurst,Idaho (208) 682-2013. 18-holegreens fees: weekday andweekend $25, 9-hole $15. Seniorsand juniors $1 off. Play Monday orThursday for $14 all day fee.18-cart fees: $25; 9-cart fees: $7. •Pomeroy GC (509) 843-1197.18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $18. 9-hole:$13. Tee times: none. •Ponderosa Springs (208)664-1101. 9-hole:weekends/weekdays $12, $6 toplay again. Weekdays: seniors (55and over) $10, juniors (17 andunder) $10. Ten-play passes: $90.

Pull carts only: $2. Club rentals:$3 for a bag. Tee times: none. Nodress code. •Prairie Falls GC , Post Falls(208) 457-0210. 18-hole greensfees: $25. 9-hole: $15. 18-hole cartfee: $15 per seat; 9-hole: $8 perseat. Tee times: one week inadvance.www.prairiefallsgolf.com. •Priest Lake GC (208)443-2525. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays high season(June 20-Sept. 11) $30; 9-hole:weekends and high season $30;off-season $30 for 18, $18 for 9.Twilight (2pm) (June 20-Sept 11):$36 18-holes, $20 9-holes;off-season $20 18-holes, $109-holes. Tee times: no deadline,but time availability varies.www.priestlakegolfcourse.com. •Quail Ridge GC (509)758-8501. 18-hole greens fees:weekdays (Monday-Thursday)$25; weekends $28. 9-holegreens fees: weekends/weekdays$18. 18-hole w/cart: $40, $43 onweekends; 9-hole: $27. Tee times:one week in advance. •The Creek at Qualchan GC(509) 448-9317. 18-hole greensfees: weekdays(Monday-Thursday), $29,weekend $32; rate for pre-book$35; county discount card $23M-Th, weekends $25; 9-hole:weekdays $21, weekend $33; after3pm $22. Seniors rate withdiscount card M-Th $21, weekend$25; after 3pm $21. Juniors – 9 or18-hole $13 weekdats, $24weekends. 18-hole cart fee: $30;9-hole: $15. Tee times: weekends,call the previous Saturday by 7a.m.; weekdays, call on Tuesdayat 7 a.m.. www.spokaneparks.org. •Ranch Club Golf Course (208)448-1731. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $21. 9-hole:weekends/weekdays $15. 18-holecart fee: $20; 9-hole: $15. Teetimes: on weekends reservationsare needed a couple of days inadvance. •Ritzville GC (509) 659-9868.18-hole greens fees: weekends$22; weekdays $20; senior(Monday-Thursday) $17. 9-hole:weekends $16; weekdays $15,senior (Monday-Thursday) $12.High School students and belowcan play unlimited rounds for $5(Monday-Thursday). Unlimitedall-day $25. 18-hole cart fee $20,9-hole $10. Tee times: nodeadlines. Subject to changebecause of city council. •Sandpoint Elks GC (208)263-4321. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $26.50.9-hole: weekends/weekdays$17.50. 18-hole cart fee: $24;9-hole: $17. Pull cart (unlimited):$5. Tee times: none. •Shoshone G&TC (208)784-0161. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $56, senior$20, junior $17 (under 18 years).9-hole: weekends/weekdays $15,senior $12, junior $9. Mondayexcept holidays, all day $20.18-hole cart fee: $26; 9-hole: $13.

Tee times: no deadlines. •St. John G&CC (509)648-3259. All-day greens fees:weekends/weekdays $15. • St. Maries GC (208) 245-3842.18-hole greens fees: weekends$24; weekdays $20 (weekdaysjuniors, $8). 9-hole: weekends $15;weekdays $13 (juniors, $8).18-hole cart fee: $26; 9-hole: $13.Tee times: no deadline.•Stoneridge GC (208)437-GOLF. 18-hole greens fees.May-Sept weekdays $35;weekends $35; 9-hole $27/$27.Seniors 18-hole $27 weekends,$35 weekdays. Juniors 18-hole$18, 9-hole $10. Cart fee $15 Teetimes: call 14 days in advance.www.stoneridgeidaho.com. •Sun Dance GC (509)466-4040. 18-hole greens fees:weekends/weekdays $26.68;weekends before 7 a.m. andTuesday-Thursday between Noonand 4 p.m. $15.18; Twilight (after 4p.m.) $13.80; seniors $22.54.9-hole: weekdays/weekends, all18-hole rates apply until 4 p.m. .Tee times: call one week inadvance. www.sundancegc.com. •Tekoa GC (509) 284-5607.18-hole green fees: $20. 9-hole$12. Cart rental $20; pull cart $3..Tee times: none. •Twin Lakes Village GC (208)687-1311. All rates fromJune-August: 18-hole greens fees:all week $35; seniors(Monday-Friday) $25. 9-hole:Monday-Friday and weekendsafter 3 p.m. and before 8 a.m.$22; seniors (Monday-Friday) $18.Monday-Friday 18-hole for juniorsis $18, 9-hole is $12; twilight rate$28 after 3 p.m. 18-hole cart fee:$14 per seat; 9-hole: $7 per seat.Tee times: call one week inadvance. www.golftwinlakes.com. •University of Idaho GC (208)885-6171. 18-hole greens fees:Weekends $28. Weekdays $26,students $17, seniors $22, juniors$15. 9-hole weekends: $17 after 2p.m.; 9-hole weekdays: students$12, juniors $10, seniors $16.June-September twilight(weekdays after 3:30 p.m.) $21.18-hole cart fee: $13 per seat;9-hole: $9 per seat. Tee times:accepted one week in advance.www.webs.uidaho.edu/golf. •Trailhead GC (formerly ValleyView GC) (509) 928-3484.9-hole: $15 every day, $10 juniors,$12 seniors; second 9: $8 adults,$6 juniors, $7 seniors; Pull cart $4.Club rental $10. Power cart:9-hole: $7 per seat, 18-hole: $14per seat. Every day after 5 p.m.,unlimited play $11 (with cart $16). •Wandermere GC (509)466-8023. 18-hole greens fees:weekends $29; weekdays $25,seniors $21, junior $18 flat rate(regardless of 9-hole or 18-hole,after 3 p.m. on weekends).9-hole: weekdays $19, seniors $16.18-hole cart fee: $28; 9-hole: $14.Tee times: weekends, call oneweek in advance; weekdays, callone day in advance.www.wandermere.com.

Continued from K9DIRECTORY

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The Masters, perhapsthe best event annually onthe golf calendar, waseven better this year.

In addition to theazaleas, perfectly groomedAugusta National andBubba Watson donning asecond green jacket, thetournament embraced thenext generation of golfers.

The inaugural Drive,Chip and Putt nationalfinals were held atAugusta on the Sundayentering Masters week for88 youngsters who madetheir way through localand regional qualifying.Adam Scott was on handfor the awards ceremony,Watson greetedcompetitors on the rangeand Jordan Spieth did thesame on the practicegreen, according to agolfweek.com article.

Shortly after thewinners of the 7-9 agedivision for girls and boysdivisions were announced,their names went up onthe leaderboard near the18th green.

The Creek at Qualchanwill be the site of a localqualifier for the secondstraight year. The datewill be Sunday, July 13.Registration is available atdrivechipandputt.com.Richland and Missoula arethe next closest sites. Thelone qualifier in Idaho willbe in Nampa. Participantsare limited to one localqualifier.

“We had about 160 thatsigned up last year andabout 75 percent showedup,” Qualchan pro MarkGardner said. “It was a lotof fun and the kids reallyget into it.”

More than 17,000youngsters participatednationally a year ago.

Organizers have addedmore qualifying sites andthey anticipate more than50,000 competitors.

“The head pro fromAugusta came up last yearto help us out for the day,”Gardner said. “They’rereally committed.”

Drive, Chip and Putt isopen to boys and girls infour age categories: 7-9,10-11, 12-13 and 14-15.Participants will begrouped based on theirage as of Sunday, April 5,2015.

Entrants compete in allthree skills, accumulatingpoints in each. At Augusta,

driving and chipping washeld at the tournamentpractice facility. The firsttwo stages of putting wereheld on the putting greennear the first tee. Thethird and final putt wastaken on the 18th green,roughly from the samespot Adam Scott drainedhis birdie putt on the 72ndhole en route to winningthe 2013 Masters in aplayoff.

Luci Li, who at age 11recently became theyoungest ever to qualifyfor the women’s U.S.Open, won her agedivision at Augusta.

Young mastersArea golfers have shot at fame at Augusta By Jim Meehan

[email protected]

Associated Press

Lucy Li, the youngest player to qualify for the U.S.Women's Open, won her age division at last year’sDrive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National.


c

P

2014 GOLF Friday, May 30, 2014 The Spokesman-Review

The last round on our two-day, 72-hole odysseycame at Bandon Dunes, the first course to open atthe resort.

In my mind, we saved the best for last.You’ll get plenty of arguments from your buddies on

their preferences, but Bandon Dunes would be my pick.It’s a fairly easy walk, the layout is clever and the viewsare often beyond description.

Bandon Dunes strikes a perfectbalance: challenging andenjoyable. The credit goes toScotland’s David McLay Kidd,who made a wildly successfuldebut as a designer at BandonDunes. The course turned 15 thisspring.

“The thing that stands out is atthe other three courses if youmake a mistake you can bring abig number into play,” director ofgolf Jeff Simonds said. “BandonDunes is kind of sneaky good. It’svery straight forward and there’sprobably not a huge blow-up holeout there. But you can get on thebogey train.”

It can play as the longest ofBandon’s four courses in terms ofyardage (7,212). Whatever tee boxyou choose, judging the impact ofhowling winds will be a priority.No. 1 was a prime example. Facinga headwind, I belted a driver intoa fairway bunker that I thoughtwas unreachable. Hello doublebogey.

The uphill, 189-yard par-3second stung me, too. I hit justshort of the green and my balltumbled back down a slope some50 yards. The par-5 third yieldedtwo short birdie putts – one ofwhich dropped – but the gorsealong the left edge of the fairway

swallowed up a hooked secondshot.

The dogleg-right, 362-yardfourth starts innocently. Wemis-clubbed and our drivesbounded through the fairway intohigh grass. The second shot isstraight out of a postcard, into agreen surrounded by the Pacific.

“I still get excited for thatsecond shot,” Simonds said. “Thatgreen looks like it’s floating in theocean. You might hit a hybrid offthe tee and you’re not expectingmuch. And then it’s, ‘Whoa.’ ”

The fifth and sixth holes stayalong the coastline, a rarity in thatboth run in the same direction.The sixth is 161 yards, but gustingwinds stretched it to roughly 185.

No. 7 turns away from theocean and offers maybe the mostgenerous landing zone on thepremises. The test starts on thesecond shot. Keep your drive tothe left for the best angle into theelevated green. From the right,the hill becomes a factor andkeeping your ball on the propertier of the green is a chore.

We didn’t have many eagleputts in two days, but one cameon the downwind, 558-yard ninth.

Bandon’s original course c

The views on the 15-year-old Bandon Dunes course are beyond description, many of which take in the P

Long course has way of makingconfident golfers humble

See BANDON, K14

BY JIM MEEHAN � [email protected], (208) 765-7131


SECTIONSpokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Friday, May 30, 2014

challenging, yet enjoyable

Courtesy photo

Pacific Ocean. This photo takes in holes 15, 12 and 5.

Bandon DunesTournament teesYardage: 7,212Rating/slope: 76.8/150Black teesYardage: 6,732Rating/slope, men: 74.1/143Green teesYardage: 6,221Rating/slope men: 71.7/139Gold teesYardage: 5,716Rating/slope, men: 69.5/133Rating/slope, women:75.9/136Royal blue teesYardage: 3,945

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The 384-yard 11th wasinto the teeth of the wind.It’s one of the toughestpar-4s on the course.

One of the toughest par3s is the 199-yard 12th, inpart because of a front-leftpot bunker. If 12 wasn’tthe toughest, 15 just mightbe. It’s 163 yards, but wewere pulling 4-irons into abrisk wind. Do not messwith the deep bunker offthe right side of the green.

The closing stretch ismemorable, beginningwith the scenic 16th, a301-yard par-4 that isdrivable and also double-and triple-bogeyable.There are two fairwaysseparated by a mound ofhigh beach grass. Theupper fairway is probablythe preferred route andaffords a shorter secondshot but not an ideal angleinto the green.

The par-4 17th offers

several fairway bunkersand a huge ravine on theright. There are enoughgolf balls down there toequip a foursome for adecade. An uphillapproach to a long, wavygreen is no bargain.

The par-5 18th takes youback toward theclubhouse. Nobody in ourgroup was close toreaching in two. It’spossible your view will beblocked on the secondshot so use the clubhouseas an aiming point. Thegreen happily acceptedthe last of my manythree-putts.

On one of our shuttlerides we ran into agentleman from

Pittsburgh. He said it washis second trip to Bandon.He played in heavy rainand high winds on his firstventure to Oregon.

“We try to remindpeople if the wind isblowing 40 mph it’s not apar 72,” Simonds said.“Suddenly a 400-yardpar-4 is now a 600-yarder.Most people if they playon a desert course it’stough to remember theshots you hit. You havethat day here where it’sblowing and you hit a4-iron on a 120-yard shot,you remember.

“That gentleman fromPittsburgh had horribleweather (last year), but hecame back.”

Courtesy photo

The finishing touch on Bandon is a par-5 that takes you back toward the clubhouse.

Continued from K12BANDON “We try to remind people if the wind is

blowing 40 mph it’s not a par 72.

Suddenly a 400-yard par-4 is now a

600-yarder.”

Jeff Simonds,Bandon Dunes director of golf

Quicken Loans didn’t waste time gettingfans involved in its PGA Tour event.

The new title sponsor of the QuickenLoans National will pick one person toreceive $1 million if a PGA Tour playermakes a hole-in-one on the 10th hole at

Congressional (June 26-29) during any ofthe four rounds of the tournament.

Odds are long, though they’re still betterthan picking a perfect bracket for theNCAA basketball tournament for $1 billion.

– Associated Press

Cool million for fan if tour player gets ace at Congressional


After a morning round at OldMacdonald and a quick lunch –the dining is nearly as good asthe golf at Bandon – we tookon Pacific Dunes.

There’s no confusing the twocourses. Pacific Dunes isn’t asintimidating on the scorecardat 6,633 yards from the tips, buttighter fairways demandedmore accuracy and smallergreens, in my case, didn’tnecessarily translate into fewerputts.

The penalties are moresevere for wayward shots. Bythe time we teed off the breezehad freshened into a two-clubwind, making crispball-striking essential to steerclear of trouble.

“The layout is short enoughto give every golfer hope,”architect Tom Doak says in OldMac’s yardage book, “but itsrugged nature will test everyfacet of your game.”

Pacific Dunes, which openedin 2001, is beautifully craftedand a visual treat. It’s typicallythe highest ranked of Bandon’s

four courses by nationalpublications.

“He (Doak) moved the leastamount of dirt,” director ofcommunications Erik Petersonsaid. “He said, ‘Here’s the layof the land, let’s follow it andtake what the land gives us.’ ”

The first two holes areshorter par 4s, followed by the476-yard par 5 that becomes ascoring opportunity if yourdrive avoids a pair of fairwaybunkers, spaced roughly 40yards apart in the landing area.

Nos. 4, 7 and 13 are long,difficult par 4s. The fourth

measures 449 yards and runsadjacent to the bluffsoverlooking the Pacific. Thebeach awaits drives off lineright and a series of bunkersgobble up errant tee balls left.

The green on 436-yardseventh is heavily contouredand guarded left and right bybunkers. Good luck finding aprettier hole than the 390-yard13th – yet another screensavercandidate. It played roughly430 yards into the wind. Thefairway is bordered by a little

Courtesy photo

No. 4 is a difficult 449-yard par 4 that runs adjacent to the bluffs overlooking the Pacific and requires accuracy off the tee.

Short layout can fool youPenalties severe on Pacific Dunes course that demands accuracy By Jim Meehan


See PACIFIC, K17

Pacific DunesBlack teesYardage: 6,633Rating/slope: 73.0/142Green teesYardage: 6,142Rating/slope: men 70.7/133Rating/slope, women:76.3/143Gold teesYardage: 5,775Rating/slope, men: 68.6/129Rating/slope, women:74.2/138Royal blue teesYardage: 3,920


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water hazard called thePacific on the left and anassortment of bunkers onthe right.

No. 9 fooled all four us.We felt pretty good aftersending our tee shotstoward a hidden landingarea. We expected to bein the fairway but theright-to-left slope steeredour balls off line. We hadto search for a fewminutes beforediscovering that two of uswere in a menacingbunker and I was close toa steep lip. I wasfortunate to barely clearthe face of the trap andsalvage a par.

The back nine is uniquewith four par 3s, threepar 5s and two par 4s.

The 10th is 163 yardsbut required an extra clubinto the wind and extraconcentration withstunning ocean scenery inyour field of vision. The11th is only 131 yards, butthe tiny green sits on abluff and is surroundedby sand and beach grass.

“You’re working withsmallest green (at No. 11)on the property,” directorof golf Jeff Simonds said.“Usually the wind is inyour face and you havebig bunkers facing you.It’s tough to commit tohit a great shot there.”

The 338-yard 16thoffers two options: Try tocrush driver and threadyour ball on or near theshelf green or maneuver along iron/hybrid to afavorable yardage for anapproach shot. I wentwith the latter and stillmade double bogey, inpart because my secondshot sailed over thegreen, leaving a nearimpossible chip shot to a

back-center pin.The 17th is 189 yards

and a large, sunkenbunker gatherseverything short and left.One ball in our groupplugged near the top ofthat bunker and requiredplaying a second shotaway from the green. Theshelf on the right is morehospitable if your ballstays away from twotraps.

The par-5 18th is anintriguing closing hole. Amassive natural bunkerskirts the left side but along, accurate drive setsup a birdie opportunity.

“One of my favoritethings is watching peoplepull out their scorecardsand think it’s easy,”Simonds said. “Peoplefind the little course hassome teeth. It goads youinto hitting driver onholes and that bringstrouble into play. It’s allabout playing the finessegame around PacificDunes.”

My highest score onthe four courses came atPacific Dunes. Paging myfinesse.

Continued from K16PACIFIC “One of my

favorite things is

watching people

pull out their

scorecards and

think it’s easy.”

Jeff Simonds,director of golf at BandonDunes

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As a guy who hasalways loved MarkTwain’s definition of

golf as “a good walkspoiled,” I had neveraspired to be the nextTiger Woods, either on oroff the course, which iswhy I’m not rich but am,fortunately, still married.

But lately, at the ripe oldage of 60, I have had ahankering to take up thesport, which is moresensible than tennisbecause in golf you don’thave to run after the ball.In fact, you can use a cart,which is fine on a golfcourse but would be kindof clunky on a tennis court.

So I went to the BergenPoint Golf Course, abeautiful waterside publiccourse in West Babylon,N.Y., for a lesson withinstructor Kevin Lisi.

“You’ve never playedgolf before?” asked Kevin,who is 23 and has beenplaying since he was a kid,which to me he still is.

“No,” I replied. “But ifTiger Woods could win theMasters at 21, and JordanSpieth could almost winthis year at 20, theopposite could happen anda geezer like me could win.Then I could sign myAARP card and get a greenjacket.”

“Show me how youthink a golf club should beheld,” said Kevin, whohanded me a pitchingwedge on the drivingrange, where I was amongabout a dozen people inthe group lesson.

“I’m guessing this isn’tthe right way,” I said as Igrabbed the club by thehead.

“You really are new atthis,” said Kevin, whononetheless was impressedwhen I wrapped myfingers around the handleand, with a little guidance,held the club correctly.After showing me how toplant my feet, bend myback and knees, and anglethe head of the club, Kevinsaid, “Now take a practiceswing.”

I raised the club parallelto the ground and liftedthe head a bit higher, thenbrought it back down andfollowed throughbeautifully, a fluid motionthat would have impressedBen Hogan had thelegendary golf champion,known for his perfectswing, not been currentlydeceased.

“Very good,” Kevin said.“Now let’s see if you canhit a ball.”

I lined up the littlewhite sphere and drove itabout 90 yards.

“Are you sure you’venever played golf before?”asked Kevin.

“Just miniature golf,” Ireplied. “My kids beat me.”

I drove my second shotthe same distance.

“Do you think I can winthe Masters?” I asked.

“You’re just gettingstarted,” Kevin cautioned.“Golf’s addictive, but it’s atough game.”

He wasn’t kidding,because those two shotswere my best of the day. Isteadily regressed, withsome of my worst shotsdribbling off the mat.Kevin was wonderful,treating me with kid gloves(or, rather, golf gloves) andtrying to get me back in myoriginal groove when hewasn’t giving pointers tothe other newbies.

When the hourlonglesson was over, Kevinsaid, “You’re not bad. Youjust need to practice.”

Later, in the pro shop,head pro Paul Rollo, whosaw me on the drivingrange, said, “The basicprinciple is to move theball forward. If it moves inthe direction you want it togo, you’re doing OK.”

Pro shop employee KenKlevitz added, “If you seewater in front of you,forget it.”

Bob Miller, director ofthe Bergen Point GolfCourse, ambled in with hisdog, a 5-year-old black Labnamed Lucas.

“Are you a doglegright?” I asked Lucas.

“He’s a scratch golfer,”said Kevin.

“He does a lot ofscratching,” Bob noted.“And he scares away thegeese.”

“I’d be good at that,” Isaid. “Maybe I could do itat the Masters.”

“Sure,” said Paul. “But ifyou want a green jacket,you may have to buy ityourself.”

Stamford Advocatecolumnist Jerry Zezima isthe author of two books,“Leave It to Boomer” and“The Empty NestChronicles.” Visit his blogat www.jerryzezima.blogspot.com. Email him atJerryZ111optonline.net.

GOLF HUMOR � Jerry Zezima, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Golf sounds like aneasy sport to take upHow hard can it be?You can use a cart

“If Tiger Woods could win the Masters at

21, and Jordan Spieth could almost win

this year at 20, the opposite could

happen and a geezer like me could win.

Then I could sign my AARP card and get

a green jacket.”

Patrick Rodgers wasselected to receive theBen Hogan Award as thenation’s top collegegolfer. His 11 careervictories ties Tiger

Woods for the most inStanford history. Rodgerswas part of winningAmerican teams in theWalker Cup and thePalmer Cup. – AP

Stanford’s Rodgers padding resume

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is 15 yearsold and still growing.

The four 18-hole links courses openedin 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2010. The newestadditions are Brandon Preserve, a13-hole par-3 course, and the Punchbowl,an 18-hole putting course that sits nearthe first tee at Pacific Dunes. There arealso plans for a 27-hole links courseabout 10 miles south of the existingcourses.

Brandon Preserve and the Punchbowlare wise choices if a 4-hour round isn’tan option.

Brandon Preserve, designed by BillCoore and Ben Crenshaw, debuted in2012. Holes range from 63-150 yardsfrom the back tees (1,609 total yards) and40-119 from the front tees (1,121).

Net proceeds from Brandon Preservebenefit Wild Rivers Coast Alliance,

which supports projects on Oregon’ssouthern coast that are committed toconservation, community and economy.

“It fits anyone’s schedule,” director ofgolf Jeff Simonds said. “It’s a great wayto warm up and get an introduction tolinks golf. You get to experience the firmconditions, fescue greens and how itlooks and putts.

“And you get a feel for the wind. Itmight be a 130-yard hole but it’s blowing20 mph and you realize you could hit a5-iron or a 7. There are a lot of ways toget the ball close to the hole.”

The Punchbowl spans 2.3 acres,slightly larger than two football fields.Old Macdonald designers Tom Doak andJim Urbina mapped out the puttingcourse, which is free to resort guests.

“You can’t always play 36 holes andyou might need something to do inbetween,” Simonds said. “There are 100sof different hole locations.”

There is no timetable set for the27-hole course. Gil Hanse, who designedthe 2016 Olympic Games course in Riode Janeiro, will be the architect.

Courtesy photo

Proceeds from Brandon Preserve benefit projects on Oregon’s southern coast.

Bandon Dunesstill growingPar-3 and 18-hole puttingcourse add to experience

By Jim Meehan




Stop me if you’ve read thisbefore – none of Bandon’sfour courses are alike, other

than the shared sandy, hillyterrain and unmatched views.

Case in point: Bandon Trails.It’s more inland, has a woodsy

feel and approach shotsgenerally held more so than atthe three other courses. It wasn’tas windy, but that changed as wehiked the vista to the tee box onNo. 14. The elements were verymuch in play for the final fiveholes.

“You make the corner andstart heading north,” director of

golf Jeff Simonds noted, “and it’slike leaving one room and goingoutside.”

Brandon Trails, designed byBill Coore and Ben Crenshaw,opened in 2005, the thirdoffering at the resort.

“A lot of our guests that comeout annually, the more timesthey visit it seems like they put

more stock in Trails as theirfavorite course,” Simonds said.

Decision-making begins onyour first swing. No. 1 is 356yards and driver isn’t necessaryto reach an ideal location in abowled fairway. Accuracy ismore important than an extra 20

Courtesy photo

The elements are very much in play once you hike the vista to the tee box on No. 14 at Bandon Trails.

Into the woods we goLandscape changes at woodsy Bandon Trails, but elements still a factor

Bandon TrailsBlack teesYardage: 6,759Rating/slope: 73.7/133Green teesYardage: 6,247Rating/slope, men: 71.1/129Rating/slope, women: 77.4/138Gold teesYardage: 5,751Rating/slope, men: 69.0/124Rating/slope, women: 74.5/132Royal blue teesYardage: 3,827

By Jim Meehan


See TRAILS, K21



yards off the tee. Keep itbetween the fairwaybunkers left and right andyou’ll probably have awedge for a second shotbetween several sizablemounds covered in highgrass.

The par-3 second holebrings more variables intothe equation. Elevated teebox, red flag on a 166-yardshot and a five-yard windto consider. We had oneball on the green and oneball lost in the cabbage left.

The par-3 fifth is just 114yards but even at that shortdistance we didn’t pick upon its nuances. We couldsee the deep, recessedbunkers in front of thegreen but it looked likethere was a backstopbeyond the red pin.Appearances can bedeceiving. There wasactually a depression thatguided Pat’s shot from the20-foot range to a testy45-footer from an uppertier. Somehow we managedthree ‘3s’.

“You miss about 10 feetof the green, maybe more,and it dives down and awayfrom you and it blends inso well,” Simonds said.

Another friendlyreminder: hire a caddy.

“When you’re playingany of the courses they

help you read the greens,they can explain or seesome of the things youwouldn’t see playing acourse you’ve never playedbefore,” director ofcommunications ErikPeterson said. “And a typeof course you’ve neverplayed before.”

The eighth is a drivable299-yard par 4 but there isrisk-reward with abundantsand traps and aright-to-left slopingfairway. Jack’s drive nearlyreached the green and hemade birdie. Pat’s ballcaught a trap on the leftand took a while to locate.

The back nine is asequence of one interestinghole after another. Thepar-4 11th is 429 yards, butplays shorter as drives feedhard downhill and to theright. If you don’t keepyour drive well left youcould end up in a sizabletrap or water that spansthe right side of thefairway.

The longest par 3 weencountered is thestraight-forward, 235-yard12th. A nice drive on thedownhill par-4 13th sets upthe right angle to avoid acavernous green-sidebunker.

The par-4 14th offers awonderful panoramic viewand the possibility ofdriving a green about aswide as your driveway.

Drives off line will requirea deft touch on a secondshot from a tough angle.

The par-5 16th is 494yards but a head wind andthe fact that the last 275yards are straight uphillmade it a three-shot hole.

“One of my favoritequotes Bill Coore said is,“Not all par-5s can bereachable in two.Downwind, 16 isn’t adifficult hole, but into thewind you’re not going toget home in two. Nowadaysa par 5 is a birdieopportunity because youcan two-putt for it,”Simonds said. “No. 16 is agreat example of a par 5where you’d better get thatthird shot in the rightposition because par is agood score.”

No. 18 features a partiallyblind tee shot to a fairlywide, heavily undulatedfairway. The second shot isan elevated green with afalse front.

“The complete greencomplex at Trails is justfantastic, a lot of subtlebreaks,” Simonds said. “Ituses some false fronts tokeep from chasing (theball) as much as OldMacdonald.

“The playability is sostrong. The fact that it’smissing an ocean and it’sstill that good … it hasocean views but you’re notso much playing along it.”

Courtesy photo

Advice from the pros on No. 3 at Bandon Trails: Aim at bunker in middle of fairway.

Continued from K20TRAILS


Resting at No. 1A look at the 57 times there hasbeen a change at No. 1 in theworld ranking, and what theplayers did the week theyreached No. 1: April 6, 1986 — Bernhard Langer:Did not play. April 27, 1986 — SeveBallesteros: Runner-up in theMadrid Open. Sept. 14, 1986 — Greg Norman:Won the European Open. Nov. 22, 1987 — Seve Ballesteros:Tied for third in the DunlopPhoenix. Nov. 29, 1987 — Greg Norman:Won the Australian Open. Oct. 30, 1988 — Seve Ballesteros:Runner-up in the Volvo Masters. Nov. 6, 1988 — Greg Norman:Lost in a playoff at AustralianPGA Championship. Nov. 13, 1988 — Seve Ballesteros:Won the Taiheiyo Masters March 26, 1989 — Greg Norman:Tied for second in the USF&GClassi. April 2, 1989 — Seve Ballesteros:Tied for third in the HoustonOpen. Aug. 20, 1989 — Greg Norman:Won The International. Sept. 2, 1990 — Nick Faldo: Didnot play, wrist injury Oct. 14, 1990 — Greg Norman:Did not play. Feb. 3, 1991 — Nick Faldo: Did notplay. April 7, 1991 — Ian Woosnam: Didnot play. March 22, 1992 — Fred Couples:Won estle Invitational. March 29, 1992 — Nick Faldo:Tied for second at The PlayersChampionship. April 5, 1992 — Fred Couples: Didnot play. July 19, 1992 — Nick Faldo: Wonthe British Open. Feb. 6, 1994 — Greg Norman:Won the Johnnie Walker Classic. Aug. 14, 1994 — Nick Price: Wonthe PGA title. June 18, 1995 — Greg Norman:Runner-up, U.S. Open. April 20, 1997 — Tom Lehman:Tied for fourth at the MCI . April 27, 1997 — Greg Norman:Runner-up in the Spanish Open. June 15, 1997 — Tiger Woods:Tied for 19th, U.S. Open. June 22, 1997 — Ernie Els: Wonthe Buick Classic. June 29, 1997 — Greg Norman:Won St. Jude Classic. July 6, 1997 — Tiger Woods:

Won Western Open. Sept. 7, 1997 — Greg Norman:Runner-up at the Canadian Open. Jan. 11, 1998 — Tiger Woods: Tiedfor second in MercedesChampionship. April 12, 1998 — Ernie Els: Tiedfor 16th in the Masters. May 10, 1998 — Tiger Woods:Won BellSouth Classic. May 17, 1998 — Ernie Els: Tied for63rd in the Byron Nelson Classic. June 14, 1998 — Tiger Woods:Did not play. March 28, 1999 — David Duval:Won TPC. July 4, 1999 — Tiger Woods:Won Western Open. Aug. 8, 1999 — David Duval: Didnot play. Aug. 15, 1999 — Tiger Woods:Won PGA title. Sept. 6, 2004 — Vijay Singh:Won the Deutsche BankChampionship. March 6, 2005 — Tiger Woods:Won Ford Championship. March 20, 2005 — Vijay Singh:Lost in a playoff at the Bay HillInvitational. April 10, 2005 — Tiger Woods:Won the Masters. May 22, 2005 — Vijay Singh: Didnot play. June 12, 2005 — Tiger Woods:Did not play. Oct. 31, 2010 — Lee Westwood:Did not play. Feb. 27, 2011 — Martin Kaymer:Runner-up in Match PlayChampionship. April 24, 2011 — Lee Westwood:Won the Indonesian Masters. May 29, 2011 — Luke Donald:Won the BMW PGAChampionship. March 4, 2012 — Rory McIlroy:Won Honda Classic. March 18, 2012 — Luke Donald:Won Transitions Championship. April 15, 2012 — Rory McIlroy: Didnot play. April 29, 2012 — Luke Donald:Finished third at the ZurichClassic. May 6, 2012 — Rory McIlroy: Lostin a playoff at the Wells Fargo. May 27, 2012 — Luke Donald:Won the BMW PGAChampionship. Aug. 12, 2012 — Rory McIlroy:Won the PGA Championship. March 25, 2013 — Tiger Woods:Won the Arnold PalmerInvitational. May 19, 2014 — Adam Scott: Didnot play.

Last Sunday in the Bahamas, Adam Scott shouldhave hit the practice green and thrown a balldown about 10 feet from the cup, whispering tohimself “this putt to go to No. 1 in the world.”

The alternative would have been to follow whatNick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Lee Westwood didthe first time they reached the top of the worldranking.

Nothing. This is the official nightmare of the Official

World Golf Ranking. Scott had four mathematical chances over the

last two months to replace Tiger Woods at No. 1 inthe world and couldn’t get it done. Then he had aweek off and, boom, No. 1.

Woods kept losing points without being able toreplace them because he is recovering from backsurgery and has not played a tournament in morethan two months.

Is it awkward? Sure. Unprecedented? Not even close. Of the 17 players who reached No. 1 for the first

time, Scott is the fifth who did not play that week.The list includes Bernhard Langer, who was No. 1in the inaugural world ranking on April 6, 1986.

This is the 57th change at the top, and the 13thtime that a new No. 1 didn’t play the week beforehe got there. That includes Woods — twice.

Faldo won the Masters and British Open, andtied for third in the U.S. Open in 1990. He stilldidn’t get to No. 1, back when the formula wasdifferent and the ranking moved at the speed ofKevin Na. Faldo injured his wrist at the PGAChampionship, where he shot 80 in the thirdround and tied for 19th. He took off three weeks tolet it heal, and when he showed up at theEuropean Open, he was No. 1.

And don’t forget about Westwood. Hecompleted only two tournaments in athree-month stretch in 2010 because of a calfinjury. Coming off the Ryder Cup, he took offthree weeks and went to No. 1 while watching TVat home in England.

The most confounding of all was in 1999, thesummer when Woods and David Duval were thebest two players in golf. They were so good thatIMG created a made-for-TV exhibition onMonday night called the “Showdown atSherwood,” a battle between No. 1 and No. 2.

Woods was ranked No. 1 and on the course,closing out Duval on the 17th hole. Both took therest of the week off, and thanks to themathematical wonder of the world ranking, Duvalwent back to No. 1.

Not that Duval cared how he got there. “I guess that’s the story right there,” he said. “I

don’t remember.” He remembers the first time he got to No. 1. In

front of a hometown crowd, and on the same dayhis father won on the Champions Tour, Duvalwon The Players Championship to replace Woodsatop the ranking.

That’s a lot more fun than being at home. Rory McIlroy reached No. 1 for the first time by

winning the Honda Classic. Luke Donald made hisdebut at No. 1 when he won the BMW PGAChampionship at Wentworth in a playoff overWestwood, whom he replaced at No. 1. Donald hasgone to No. 1 four times, three of them by winning.

Greg Norman won five times out of the 11occasions he got to No. 1 — with four of those winson different continents. Woods won six times toget to No. 1, including two majors, the ideal way toreach the top of the ranking. Then again, he firstreached No. 1 with a tie for 19th in the 1997 U.S.Open. Pretty riveting.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how a player getsto No. 1.

And ultimately, all of them would just as soonwin a major than be No. 1. Scott, a former Masterschampion, said as much.

“I think it’s a nice feather in the cap,” Scott said.“I mean, if I was never world No. 1 when I’m thisclose, I’d be disappointed. But I’d also muchrather win the U.S. Open and not be No. 1 at allthis year. That’s what it comes down to.”

Even so, being No. 1 should not be dismissed. Itdoesn’t define the best player in the world, ratherwho has performed the best over the most recenttwo-year period. And as Westwood correctlynoted when he got to No. 1, “It’s a fairly elite list.”

Being No. 1has prestige,but little else Scott reached pinacle during weekoff, but he’s not the first to do so

By Doug Ferguson

Associated Press

Associated Press

Idle Adam Scott sits atop of World Golf Rankings.

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Golf science is advancing fasterthan the eye can see.

At the workshop of KellyCrumpler in Nine Mile Falls, it’smoving at 50,000 frames a second, fastenough to capture every hitch andevery loss of swing speed.

“It’s a great little $10,000investment,” Crumpler said of his flightscope, which uses a Doppler radarsystem to spot the imperfections thatover 18 holes, can cost a20-handicapper half a dozen shots.

“The differences are subtle, but theyadd up,” said Crumpler, who recentlywas named one of the World’s Top 100Club Fitters by equipment maker KZG.

The equipment is nice, but it’sCrumpler who earned the awardthrough his ability to take that data andapply it to any golfer who walks intohis business, H2c Golf Custom ClubLLC.

That application goes far beyond thetypical question posed to a novice:“Which golf club do you like best?”

According to Crumpler, the realquestion is: “Which is the best club for

your body?”In a typical three-hour session,

Crumpler proceeds to answer thatquestion by looking at several variables:club length, grip size, the club’s lieangle, the balance of the shaft and thedesign of the head.

And those are just the basics. To

those, Crumpler adds at least 15 morecomponents, methodically measuringthe changes in swing from eachvariation in equipment. In other words,he builds the club around the golfer,not the other way around.

“If I put a golf club in your handthat’s not the right club for you, your

body will start compensating,” said the51-year-old Crumpler, a formerrespiratory therapist who got into thefitting business five years ago.

“Most golf pros, most fitters don’tlook at that aspect of golf and fitting,”Crumpler said.

Crumpler certainly has the tools: 50different shafts for irons, 20 more forwoods, and dozens of grips and heads.

“It’s hard to tell someone that theywant this grip when all his buddies areusing another grip,” Crumpler said. “A15-to-20 handicap may not notice, but a5-handicap will notice that difference.”

Crumpler’s philosophy is to build theclub first, and all by his own hand. In atypical session, the golfer takes swings– always addressing the ball in thesame manner – while Crumpleranalyzes the results and makes smallbut important changes in equipment.

A typical session last three hours“because I haven’t learned to quittalking,” said Crumpler, a golferhimself. He also listens: where does thegolfer like to play. There’s a world ofdifference between Hangman andDownriver, he noted, citing differencesin soil that can determine the best headshape for an iron.

The cost is $200 for a full-bag fitting,but Crumpler credits that cost towardthe purchase of clubs from his shop.

Contact H2c Golf Custom Club LLC atwww.H2c-golf.com or call (509)688-9075

Making sure the club fitsKelly Crumpleranalyzes golfer beforefitting with clubsBy Jim Allen


JIM ALLEN [email protected]

Golf fitter Kelly Crumpler works on a club in his shop in Nine Mile Falls.

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