“I’ve noticed more and more people I used to count on for 36 holes saying, ‘Uh, I don’t think I’ll play another 18."

Far be it for me to question Mike Keiser's business acumen, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around the concept of a $100, 13-hole par-3 course to compliment the full-length courses at Bandon Dunes. Thanks to reader Bob for Mike Stahlberg's story about the latest Coore-Crenshaw-The Boys addition to the resort

Featuring holes ranging from 65 to 180 yards in length, Bandon Preserve sits atop a swath of sand dunes that tumble toward the Pacific just west of the first tee at Bandon Trails.

The site is bounded by the beach on the west, Cut Creek on the north and McKee Preserve on the south.

The land affords some spectacular ocean views and contains “a lot of great golf terrain,” Keiser said.

That inviting terrain is the second reason, Keiser said, that he decided to build a par-3 for those “aging Boomers to have a golf experience in the afternoon.”

The Preserve course has already been roughed out and shaped.

After irrigation and drainage systems are installed, the goal is to have it seeded by June.
Public play is expected to begin in mid-2012.

“Now that we see how good it will be — because I think it’ll really be super, and much more popular than I ever thought — we’re going to charge a lot and give profits to the south coast conservation effort,” Keiser said.

“We think we’ll charge $100.”

Comments

[elf]

Seriously? 100 for a 13 hole par 3 course? And people wonder why rounds played are down? Sheeez

[digsouth]

Why gripe!!! It's one more than the 12 Jack proposed.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

So, the replay rate during the 6-month prime golf season at Bandon is $110 on any of the courses with available tee times, but Mike Keiser thinks golfers who go to the great expense and considerable trouble of getting to Bandon will pay $100 for a 13-hole par-3 instead? With spectacular views, of course. He's probably right, and I really don't understand "business."

[Average Golfer]

A C-note replay on an incomplete par 3? I guess the whole "haves and have nots" thing has finally caught me. I'll post-round $20.00 instead for extra rides at the unicorn ranch and spend the rest on balls.

[Tighthead]

If you have done 36 is the par 3 course free?

[Eric]

@tighthead

No, it's $120 after 36.

[Chuck]

The Treetops' Resort "Threetops" course is the same concept, and I think it is widely regarded as on of the nice additions to the property and one of the golfers' favorite choices at the resort.

I can't help but think that in 1957, somebody at Augusta must have grumbled about "Build a Par 3 course? Are you kidding? This is Augusta." (Right before Mr. Roberts canceled their annual dues bill.)

[A3golfer]

What is the caddie fee? So maybe it will be more like $200!

[NRH]

For all the coin you can drop in 48 hours at Bandon, $60 towards conservation will not make you feel any better, especially if you can't resist the puppy face the caddy gives you when you decide to carry your own for the replay.

[Colin MacGillivray]

Par 3 courses answer most of the complaints on this site about golf. Play is faster, 300 yard drives are meaningless. There is more "value" per acre of golf course, so lower capital cost.
And more value in time spent per shot. Par 3 = 3 or 4 shots in 130-200 yards walked. To make a par 4 add 200-250 yards walking and one shot. to make a par 5 add 400-450 yards walking and 2 shots.
If we were inventing golf today I'd be surprised if par 4's and 5's would be part of the scene.

[chico]

Just crazy!
We have on of the best 9 holers in Scotland here and charge £20 for a day on it. Does he think his customers are stupid?!

[PABOY]

Does this mean that Shorty's (at the south end of the range) will close? That is a great alternative, the greens are super cool and the price is right at a donation of your choice to the Evans Caddie Scholarship Fund.

NRH I don't like the guilt of the puppy face reaction either.

I am not a fan of some of the particulars of the caddie program at Bandon including being assigned the same person your entire visit as if you want to carry you are made to feel you are taking food from their mouth. Also I don't like single baggers as I come from the northeast with a tradition of doubles. I have moved to carrying my own clubs at Bandon, it allows me to return more often and afford a dunes single room as I snore.

[Used to be Former S&T Convert]

I love a nice par 3, but $100 is insane.

Side story: i played in an amateur tournament once with I guy that hit no greens on the front side and shot 1 under, 8 putts and a chip in. I asked him how his short game became so strong, he said "my daddy owns a par 3 course."

[Ringer]

Bump the price of every other course by $25 and give that to preservation; price the par-3 at $25-30 and make it a thank-you gift to the golfers who've made the effort to get there in the first place. I love par-3 and short courses, but the price is insane, and when I make a charitable donation I generally like to get the tax deduction myself.

[MatthewM]

I like the idea behind the course, and think it would be a nice addition. I also think Colin MacGillivray's point is spot on. Most fun I've had lately in golf has been on shorter, more interesting courses, or on par 3s. Lastly - time will ultimately tell, and $100 does seem steep to me, but there's nobody on this site with Mr. Keiser's business accumen.

[tlavin]

It may sound steep, but most of the money goes to a good cause and dropping another hundo for a bunch of short holes after getting pummeled by the wind won't be that much of a disincentive. The bottom line is that your typical 50+ paunchy golfer can't do 36 every day. When I go out to Bandon, I only play 36 once, because the body starts to rebel, so this would be a great option for me on the other two or three days when I'm only playing 18. I was out at Bandon a couple weeks ago and Keiser and Coore had a tour of the par-3 course, which is still under construction. Unfortunately, we had just finished a Pac/Mac combo platter and the last thing I needed was some more dunes to climb, so I skipped it. What I've seen just from walking nearby is quite impressive, I must say.

Concept wise, this fills up a couple hours in the afternoon and allows a little cocktail or nap time before dinner. Not to mention that the course will have a bunch of unbelievable holes. This is Bandon Dunes, after all, the best golf resort in America, bar none. Like everything else Keiser has done, this will work out just perfectly, thank you very much.

[Phil from Sacramento]

Bandon is expensive, not just the par 3, but the entire resort, food, lodging and golf. Last time I was there it was filled with corporate parties so maybe that's their market?

A recent post on golfclubatlas.com showed it was cheaper to go to Australia for a weekend (from Los Angeles) than to go to Bandon. I consider Mike to be a visionary but in this economy he doesn't appear to care or is out of touch.

[Steve Wozeniak PGA]

If they just get rid of those really long holes, you know the ones over 100 yards, they could put a full 18 in this area.......

[tlavin]

Addendum:

Keiser is well aware that the price is steep, as he is quoted as saying, "we’re going to charge A LOT and give profits to the south coast conservation effort."

Also, while I respect Sacramento Phil's take on the economy, the prices at Bandon strike me as very appropriate, especially when one considers how much cheaper Bandon is compared with Pebble Beach. This isn't going to a run-of-the-mill resort, we're talking a unique place where there are four world-class coastline, links style, golf courses, all without the hackers, slappers and there-just-to-take-the-photo-and-buy-a-hat jackasses that one invariably sees at Pebble, Pinehurst, Doral and most of the other resorts in America. Why aren't they at Bandon, one might ask? Because they have to walk.

[reef]

If he is following the way other rounds are priced, then $100 is likely the price if it is the first or only round of the day. I would hope that like the other courses, when it is a second round of the day, it is half price, so $50 or free if it is your third. Also, like the other courses the price will be greatly discounted at other times of the year, so the February price would likely be around $50.

IMO Bandon is all about going in the off season. It's less crowded, the weather is generally OK(with always less wind) and the prices are much better.

[Jim]

I give a pass on this because of the charitable quality. But I am wondering if it is just me that Bandon is losing some of its interest. The courses are great but it is pretty pricey and I have had some caddies that just aren't what I would like. I am going over to the UK this year instead of Bandon and I will probably have an even better time. Granted the UK is getting more pricey but it is such a great atmosphere and the people are just so outstanding and the courses....................

[rose]

Terry

I love Bandon but from the East Coast, I can go to Ireland for a week and mix in some of the northwest links with Portrush and RCD and it ends up being the same or even less than a 4 day trip to Bandon.

[Jim]

I am thinking more about the title of this post. I wonder if people aren't playing another 18 because of the cost. Sure it could be the physical aspect of it but................... With caddie (and it sure does seem to be frowned upon to carry your own clubs) and the rate it is really costly. Even for people with money you just wonder if it is worth it. Personally, if I was running Bandon I would really really watch out for being too greedy. It is good to price your product at fair value but if it doesn't offer the necessary satisfcation and people start wondering about the value they get it can be tough times ahead. And it is a major pain to get to (unless you have a buddy with a GV).

Staying at the Holiday Inn Express and playing Rustic Canyon, carrying my clubs, is still not a bad way to go in life.

[john]

rose,

Doesn't the exchange rate make Ireland more expensive? I've played in the UK and Bandon and the exchange rate and petrol are killer in the UK. Much more history and choice in Ireland of course.

[Tommy Naccarato]

Jim, Bingo, you get it!

[Tiny Tim]

More Kool-Aid, please.

[Del the Funk]

I played Los Verdes yesterday and the grand total including tax was $26....now there's value.

[Sandy Trapp]

Keiser made his money before Bandon ever existed so I think posters should be careful about throwing around terms like "greed". He's continued to re-invest in and has ended up with the best collection of new courses in the country, maybe the world and, while not cheap, are no more expensive than many other lesser resorts. If you think future developers should: acquire the finest sites; hire the best architects; spare no expense in construction; build lodging; attract, train & house staff in a remote locations and.....and then charge less than premium price, you won't see the likes of Bandon again.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

@Del: So close to Trump National-by-the-Sea and you picked Los Verdes, when it would have cost you only 1000% more at the Trumpster's course. You clearly have not been paying attention.

[Del the Funk]

@ Ky, standing on the 16th tee taking in the views in all directions that exact discussion...everyone in the group was of the opinion they'd rather play 10 times at Los Verdes for what one round at the Trump course would cost!

And to think we play the Black this Saturday for $75pp!!

Hey, someone has to do it...

[Tommy Naccarato]

Sandy, That isn't the point.

I can only imagine what it costs Mike to fund the resort. I know a bit about his history and this isn't a slam at him at all. Its more about costs, reality and what the real world is capable of paying since the economic disaster of some three years ago. Right now its tough to afford a Volcano (meatloaf, mashed potatoes smothered in gravy--a Bandon Dunes Tradition) for some.

Or maybe you can afford it and like to share!?!?!

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

In response to Del: "Shut up, he explained!" /s

But, but, but...what about the gold-plated plumbing fixtures and the wine list at Trump National-by-the-Sea? Yes, "wine" is on the webpage. Sheesh.

[Del the Funk]

@ Tommy, Keiser's quote is telling. Wonder if he budgeted for the "more and more"...? You know a few years ago a lot of guys with serious "business acumen" swore up and down that the subprime credit issues were contained and would not become contagious. Polo just whiffed the Q4 number on higher expenses and those are sure to be passed on to the customer down the road. Before long those 36-holers that became 18-holers will follow Jim down to Rustic Canyon...

@ former S&T, that's one of the funniest quotes I've heard in a looong time!!