Pacific Dunes Golf Course | Bandon, Oregon

Monday - 8 July 2002: Bandon, Oregon - Hard to imagine why we could update for more than two days in a row from this quiet corner of Oregon... except for the fact that two of the best golf courses IN THE WORLD happen to be within walking distance of Bullards Beach. I PROMISE photos tomorrow. Sorry I didn't bring the camera today - but I had the choice of bringing a camera or my driver today and (luckily) opted for my driver... of the golf variety, not the DT variety.

The day dawned bright and beautiful. No clouds, no wind. It was almost like we weren't on the Oregon Coast at all. (That was a joke.) I headed into town to purchase food for an honest-to-goodness cooked-over-the-campfire-meal. I found a beautiful salmon fillet, on sale, at the unbelievably low price of $4.49 per pound. On further inspection, I discovered the fish was ATLANTIC salmon. Excuse me, but aren't we about 15 feet from the Pacific Ocean? Yes, said the clerk. Isn't that ironic? She didn't get it. For $4.49 I wasn't about to discuss irony. Give me the fish and let me get on with my day.

We had an eleven o'clock tee time at Pacific Dunes. DT called our stock broker to see if we could afford the green fees, but we teed off anyway, 10 minutes early, with our new best friend and caddy, Wayne. In reality, Wayne was MY caddy. He was a nice boy, from Coquille. I am not a good golfer - but at these prices, I was determined to get my money's worth. Wayne was most helpful to ME on our way around Pacific Dunes. He ignored my husband. DT was carrying his own clubs, obviously would not be the Big Tipper and was of no consequence to the Mighty Wayne.

The first six holes were in a fog. So thick, that if not for Wayne telling me where to go (and DT following) the Eagle Scouts may, at this time, be searching for our bodies. Miraculously, on the 7th hole, the fog lifted and we spent the rest of the round in glorious sun. Pacific Dunes is a beautiful golf course - the views out to the ocean were spectacular! After losing two balls in the over-priced junk, I reached into my bag and found a sleeve of balls from TH.'s retirement party. It was like a gift from the Golf Gods. After using the TH balls, I 1) never lost a ball and 2) made TWO PARS. It was like a miracle. Wayne was thinking his tip was moving into triple-digits (WRONG) and started telling DT where the rough was over the hill and where to line up his shots! TH leading us out of the junk, towards the Club House.

It was a brilliant round, for me. DT played very well and only threw one club one time. Wayne was not thrilled with his huge tip and disappeared quickly after our round.

Matt showed up at dinner time. This was my big chance to cook over a fire and I rallied with the non-local salmon fillet. I also served red potatoes, mushrooms, onion, and garlic cloves in olive oil, tossed salad and garlic bread. For desert, I baked a crostata with nectarines, apricots, cherries and plums. We had a lot of fun, catching up around the campfire. We had not seen each other since the Jimmy Buffett concert in Vegas - nearly a life-time ago. Tomorrow, the boys will play Bandon Dunes and I will follow along with the camera, so I PROMISE photos - finally.

RV Park: Bullards Beach (site A16)