Random Bandon Thread

[Goose71]

I called yesterday and spoke with them. We are 8 going down April 16 from Vancouver BC and are worried about travel restrictions. They are giving us a 14 day window for cancellation instead of 30 which is nice. Already had one of 8 cancel.

[jrg75]

Good luck man, I hope it works out for you.

[duffer987]

You guys driving or flying? Obviously a month is a long time, but I was just up and back down this past weekend via Sumas.

The only question came from Canadian customs who asked if I'd been to Iran recently.

[spud3]

For those who have spoken with the resort in the last couple of days, any murmurs like they might close the resort?

[dpark]

Have heard nothing. But did get a (form) email from the GM about all the things they are doing for safety. Didn't get any indication that they may close the resort. I hope not. I look forward to our annual trip, would hate to miss it and especially because we are probably going to get rogered on the Masters this year too (after finally winning their ticket lottery)

[SouthLand]

Lady on the reservation line said they were not seeing a lot of longer-term cancellations.

They were very helpful in my case. Refunded my deposit without me asking. I would have taken credit.

[spud3]

Thanks guys.

 

I was due to go to SXSW this year and they cancelled it two days before it was to start, so I'm a little gun-shy. I think the chances of the resort closing (at least at this time) are slim, but this is uncharted territory.

 

Three days out and the forecasts are looking very good...

[SouthLand]

My consolation is that it's snowing in West Linn ay the moment and the forecast for Bandon today/tomorrow looked sub-optimal. It's small consolation, but it's all I got.

Oh, and fantasizing about a possible Cabot trip later this year. I got that too.

[duffer987]

You're (we Westcoasters in general) gonna be grand :-)

More worrisome logistically for others in other parts of North America might be flights/routes to relative outposts like Eugene, Medford, OTH. For our April trip my mate might need to do the cross country flight AND the drive up from SFO.

[duffer987]

Random one, in light of current situation..

I see Shoe is still posting up new guest selfies on Twitter. Maybe it's just me but you think Bandon might have the sense to tell him to keep his distance for a while. The guy is Bandon's version of RGB! Don't need anything bad happening to him.

[jrg75]

Not sure who's been in contact with resort, but I called today regarding my trip in late April. I was told the resort is waving cancellation fees even if inside the 30-day window. I'm guessing the travel restrictions are going to become more stringent in the coming weeks and my trip is likely toast. ☹️ but happy Bandon is offering the flexibility to wait and see what happens. Good luck to everyone.

[duffer987]

Ya they sent an email with a link to their Covid19 info today: https://www.bandondunesgolf.com/covid-19

We're riding out our April reservation until they close the resort - or as you say, travel restrictions block our path.

[jrg75]

No gatherings of more than 25 people in Oregon for at least 4 weeks, Gov. Kate Brown saysAny thoughts on what this means for the on-property restaurants?!?

 

[duffer987]

^Obviously I have no real clue, but setting up a marquee at the entrance to McKees? Nothing but burger and fries for takeaway ;-) Based on some of the Punchbowl behaviour seen over the years, I'm not sure I like a segment of resort guest's ability to self-anything unfortunately.

One positive note in the news, I see Washington State explicitly included golf courses in their list of things that can remain open. If Oregon follows that lead, maybe it's not done for yet.Edit: Bandon updated their Covid page. It's takeaway only and eat in your room for meals at all their restaurants. Takeaway drinks too... that's a lot of plastic pint cups!

[JohnnieDanville]

We were set to arrive on April 14th. Just moved it to April 2021. They were booked solid for our group size until November and that was going to be too late to get 36/day in. At least we get the Sheep Ranch next year. We are now looking at Sand Valley/Erin Hills in October.

[jrg75]

Cancelled my trip for April earlier today, so bummed but the writing was on the wall. I can't see myself eating McKees meatloaf out of a styrafoam container in my room. Managed to rebook for only two nights in lodge single plus 5 rounds in September, really wanted 3 nights, 6 rounds, may see if I can walk on the day before. Not ideal, more expensive and tee times were limited but beggers can't be choosers.

For anyone with a ship sticks order, they are really flexible with changes. I submitted a form requesting a credit and within about 5 minutes I received an email with credit.

[duffer987]

Good - if disappointing - call. You've removed the uncertainty and now have something to look forward to come September :-)

[wtoomey]

Making that call today myself...dammit!

 

[buzlin]

Dang, all these cancellations are total bummer. We're still holding out hope for our late April trip, driving from NorCal. We're definitely getting some resistance from our spouses for suggesting that we're going to go through with the trip. If so, how careful are we on the drive? Masks? Drive ourselves? What about when we're there? Etc........blah blah blah. Sorry to be a bummer. But, home schooling a 1st and 4th grader for the foreseeable future probably means more random spewing of thoughts. :)

[duffer987]

Kick one of your group out and replace them with Steph or Iggy (not sure Andre still has a place here, lol) so you can get Covid19 testing done before you go. Also order a bunch of Oregon/Oregon Ducks polos, to misdirect once there from being from California.

If the tests are negative, straight shot through to Bandon using I5, making only one pitstop. At pitstop, swap your Cali plates with any Oregon plates you see. Once there, just order a case of whatever 1/2 decent bottled beer they have and divy them up amongst yourselves, everyone gets a takeaway burger, then retreat to respective rooms and get on slack/hangouts/facetime whatever and talk rubbish.

Seriously. I think I'm going to spin our April trip into our 2021 deposit. I'm not going to be responsible for making Shoe sick! :)

[buzlin]

It would be great if we could get access to test kits to allow us to travel safely and guilt free.

Yeah, California plates makes us unpopular in many states. Why everyone hating? Cuz we're the best? hahahaha. Kidding chill out. In all seriousness, being Asian ain't gonna make things any easier as we navigate the next few months/years of fall out.

On a side note, we just purchased a gas guzzling 4runner with the idea of getting more remote backcountry camping in. Seems like we'll be doing a lot more of that than expected.

 

[gambit]

I'm Asian and from the Bay Area. No issue when I went to Bandon a couple of weeks ago. Layover in SLC was no problem. Got a couple of looks here and there from other golfers at McKees but nothing to get ticked about. Stopped at a McDonald's in Coos Bay on the way to the Eugene airport and got one guy looking at me for a bit, while this other lady wouldn't stop talking to me, but when I turned around to say something he did a 180 real quick. It is what it is. Staff and Bandon was great except for the cleaning person that stole some wacky tobacky from my room.

[wtoomey]

Well I got April 2021 all set. Lily Pond and first tee times each day, of course I have to wait another 365+ days.

 

[jrg75]

Really sucks to be in the roughly 1 month countdown period only to have it set back 6 months or more. At least all of us rebooking will get a chance at the Sheep Ranch on our next visit.

[Goose71]

Sounds like I'm doing the same.

.. This April turns into next April plus sheep ranch. Shall we all meet up? Haha

[duffer987]

See! That's the proper frown upside down response :-)

Now there will be no FOMO for Sheep Ranch and if they close down for a few months, it could be in even better shape once open - weather depending of course.

[spud3]

Just got home from our four day trip. The resort was about 1/3 full. We had dinner at McKee's on Monday (16th), and woke up the next morning to letters slipped in the door announcing that all the restaurants on site had gone to a take-out only service. Almost all the same food items available, just eat in-room. Woke up this morning to another letter in the door, this one had vouchers for free lunches for each day of stay. It as a little odd, for sure, but not really a big deal. We still had the grilled cheese from Pac Grill, just ate it out of a to-go container on the deck. Dinner was delivered to my room and was just as hot and fresh as if I ordered it sitting in McKees.

 

Walking around the place in the evening was a little weird. Felt like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, rambling around that big empty hotel. Super quiet. I chatted with a couple staff members (from the appropriate 6 ft distance) and they said the management was being super cool to the staff, letting anyone who wanted to stay home do so.

 

The staff could not have been more gracious and thankful for those that were there. Please consider keeping your trip if it's happening soon. It's a vacation for us, but it's their livelihood.

 

Oh, and the weather was a complete jackpot all week long. Never even opened the rain gear bag.

[duffer987]

Thanks for the update Spud! Did they mention whether it's largely Oregonians/West Coasters who were there?

Did you get any take-away from town? Just wondered if the area seemed more tamped down than normal.

[R4haehl]

Are they doing anything different on course? raised cups? noodle/mat in cups? removing rakes? or other things I have seen/read about courses doing during this time...

Looks like weather has been insanely good, judging off the handful of people I have seen via instagram that have been there in recent days

[jjr]

I'm 8 hours away, I'm ready to drive up!