Bandon on a budget best describes this low key layout that will attract golfers on the strength of its magical name alone While the course has no affiliation with the Bandon Dunes Resort it does offer a bucolic affordable cart friendly alternative to its more spectacular namesakes twenty minutes to the north Designed by Oregon native Dan Hixson and shaped by Tony Russell whose crew worked on Bandon Dunes this inland track plays up down and around a dry river bottomland Majestic coastal trees classically sculpted bunkers and uneven terrain provide the main challenges The memorable fifth hole is a 545 yard creek guarded par 5 it s green some 70 feet below the tee For walkers who wish to avoid the arduous trek up and down the bottomlands there is an alternate par 4 green that reduces the 5th to 410 yards From there walkers proceed to the 15th hole and finish out the nine It s not Bandon Dunes but if aching legs and wallet woes are getting you down this is a refreshing natural looking substitute and well worth every penny