Bandon Muni And Sheep Ranch Updates

Ron Bellamy gets the latest on Bandon muni to be designed by Gil Hanse and his plans for the Sheep Ranch course evolving into a full 18-holes.

Bellamy writes:

Keiser said construction could start “sometime in the next year would be my hope and my best guess,” and would take two years to complete. He expressed hope the course could be available for preview play late in 2018, and open in 2019.

And there was this about expanding the Sheep Ranch, though he has no timetable:

Keiser also said that one day he hopes to fully develop the Bally Bandon Sheep Ranch — the under-the-radar, restricted-access 13-greens course on spectacular ocean-front land just north of the Bandon Dunes resort. The course is co-owned by his longtime business partner, Phil Friedmann, and is a rustic, appointment-only course with no amenities, well-kept greens and wonderful views.

Keiser said there are 400 acres available on the site, ample room for the course he’d like to develop.

“I don’t have a good guess as to when that would be,” he said. “Right now, it’s 13 greens in a pasture. Eventually, it will be 18 holes on a mile-and-a-half of ocean frontage. So eventually, it will be exciting.”

Comments

[scall1968]

I can see why they want to do something with the land the Sheep Ranch sets on. But it is so cool and such a novelty.

[V60]

Just spent the weekend up at Bandon. Sheep ranch property is awesome looking. Old Mac was a disappointment, kinda think doak jumped the shark on that one.

[Bob.]

How much for a round at Sheep Ranch?

Want to grow golf? We need better quality muni's.

In my hometown, our local muni's are a net contributor to the city coffers.

[Pasaplayer]

$50 for the whole day.

[PickYourRouting]

Leave the Sheep Ranch alone... So unique on its own and free flowing to pick and choose whatever you'd like to do.

Yet another 18? Why?

[digsouth]

Down here, we have ( probably more than one) tournament called the cow paddy opem, played on ranch land that is about 1/10 (1 steer per 10 acres) There are pretty well manicured greens, golf carts , jeeps or some form of off road vehicle is mandatory...and 20-25 years ago we I last had connectins it, the 'cart girls'' were women who usually worked at night on stages.... and so it goes....

as to the 13 holer...leave it alone. Plenty of other options without another overpriced attack on nature.

[johnnnycz]

The Sheep Ranch sounds like a perfect place to promote a "Horse Course" Geoff...c'mon start lobbying and evangelizing.


I must make a trip up there before i'm pushing up daisies.

[Pitbull]

I understand that 1 1/2 miles of ocean front property is compelling for another world class 18 hole traditional golf course that can generate money for the resort.

However, my afternoon at Sheep Ranch was a unique a golf experience as I've ever encountered. Someone would have to build one hell of a thrilling golf course to top that.

[Tighthead]

I am going to go all hipster and say that I am glad I played the Sheep Ranch way back when...

It certainly was unique. I almost found it disjointing,only a twosome and a single on the course. I think I would get more out of a return visit and may look into it on one of my trips back.

This place has always intrigued me:

http://www.lillooetgolf.com/index.html

[zinggggaaa]

I don't understand Sheep Ranch... is it routed to play 13 holes in a speciifc order? If not, then how can multiple groups be out on the course at once? that sounds confusing and dangerous so I'm sure that is not the case

[Tighthead]

Zing, there is a suggested routing but it is free form. I think normally there is at most two groups out there, so you just kind of keep your distance.

[Amen Coroner]

We paid $100 per person for our foursome and had the place to our selves. Its like a skate park for golfers. Freedom personified is the best word to describe it like in Bagger or Kingdom books. Leave it alone.