Must Play Golf Courses in the Pacific Northwest
A beautiful area to visit is the Pacific Northwest. This area offers many attractions; certainly, it is a must-see region to explore and experience. Golf courses in the area provide the option for incredible golf and vistas of unsurpassed beauty.
With the number of challenging and picturesque courses to play, the must-play golf courses of the Pacific Northwest are the three ‘true link’ courses in Oregon. All three are located at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
Put your headcovers on your clubs and pack your bags.
Read on for details about link courses and three of the four the United States has to offer.
- Link Courses
Modern-era golf first was played in Scotland in the fifteenth century. Scotland was an agricultural society, so only unusable farming land was available for the game. Treeless areas with sandy soil located between the ocean and farmland were used for the first modern golf courses.
Originating from the Old English, the word clinic means rising ridges in the sandy land along the coast, which is the origin of the golf term links. For a course to be categorized as a true links course, it must be built along the coast. Additional requirements include sandy soil, a rolling topography, squalling winds, and deep bunkers.
These characteristics are found in three of the courses that are part of the Bandon Dunes Resorts.
- Bandon Dunes
Opening in 1999, Bandon Dunes was the first course designed and built for the resort. David Kidd conceived the course. The natural terrain mimics that of Scotland creating an authentic links course. Located overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the craggy landscape offers a challenging round of golf.
- Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes
Also located at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Tom Doak and Jim Urbina planned Old Macdonald. Part of their design concept was paying their respect to Charles Blair Macdonald, who is considered the Father of American Golf Architecture. Playing a round of golf Old Macdonald will transport you back in time and across the ocean to Scotland.
- Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes
Another course designed by Doak is Pacific Dunes. Characteristics of links courses with deep sandy dunes and powerful winds can be experienced when playing at Pacific Dunes. Doak’s design builds on the natural landscape he encountered at this incredible location.
Enjoy your trip but hang on to your headcovers, so they are not swept up in the gusts of wind.
