By Sally J. Sportsman
Excitement is growing for what may be the most highly anticipated golf course opening for 2020. The tee sheet is full for opening day, June 1, at Sheep Ranch, an 18-hole coastal layout at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, near Bandon, Oregon. Sheep Ranch will be the fifth course at this rural destination golf resort, perched 100 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
“The mystique of Sheep Ranch is due to what was there before,” says Steven Borror, PGA, director of golf at Bandon Dunes. “There is a stampede to play the Sheep.”
What was there before was a course with 13 greens and no specific routing; golfers could play the holes in any order. The new 18-hole, par-71 layout, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is the northernmost golf course at Bandon Dunes. Sheep Ranch has one mile of coastline, the most of any course at the resort. Nine greens overlook the sea and the other nine have ocean views.
“A lot of people understand the story of Bandon Dunes, which sits on the westernmost part of the continental United States and sticks out into the ocean,” Borror says.
Since bookings opened for Sheep Ranch last October, reservations for the entire resort have doubled, according to Borror. Expectations are for there to be a mix of clientele: those who want to add on another night and round, and others who will make different course selections each time they come, perhaps with more frequent visits. All the golf courses will have the same price per round to play.
“That’s one of the strengths of Bandon Dunes,” says Borror. “We believe each course stands on its own merit.
“Our guests talk over dinner about which course they played that day.”
Tee times on opening day at Sheep Ranch have been pushed to begin at 6:20 a.m. instead of the usual 7, so players can finish their rounds before dark.
As a result of Sheep Ranch and the loyal customer base at Bandon Dunes, Borror believes there definitely will be an increase in the number of future resort guests. More lodging may need to be built eventually.
A small clubhouse and a turn stand for food and beverage will open in conjunction with Sheep Ranch, according to Don Crowe, general manager of Bandon Dunes.
“And we will be adding to our caddie yard,” Crowe says. “Although caddies are not required at Sheep Ranch or our other courses, most golfers take them.
“There is a lot of buzz in the golf world about Sheep Ranch.”
Bandon Dunes is the site of the 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship to be played Aug. 10-16 on two golf courses. The other three, including Sheep Ranch, will be open for play during the tournament – no doubt resulting in even more future resort guests.
Sally J. Sportsman is an Orlando, Florida-based freelance golf writer.