Saturday May 19, 2012

My body was tired, my feet were aching, and I had just stayed up til 3:00 in the morning.  As noted earlier, money was always going to be an issue for me on this trip.  I was trying to cut costs everywhere...getting the cheapest thing on the menu, bringing Cliff bars to fill my hunger needs, carrying my own bag, and trying to limit my "banker" losses.  Having said all that, I decided to forgo the morning round, sleep in, and eventually make it out for the back 9 to take pictures of everyone golfing.

Nelly watching his ball fly towards the green and wondering if it can get any better than this.

Bags doubling up Shackie

Stanga doubling up Shackie.

Cookster doubling up Shackie.

And Shackie calmly doubling everyone back.

Dro getting in a shot on a par 3.

Stanga chipping down on the green.

Bags from the gorse as the waves crumble in the background.

Nelly without Denise.

Bags ripping it towards the green.

Tbone about to drain a  putt on a green that seemingly sits in the ocean.

Jesper lining up his birdie putt.

J.Ord looking at his line with the waves breaking behind him.

Bags watching his ball fly towards the green.

Tbone from a pot-size bunker as his group watches in anticipation.

DMac reaching the green on a par 4 from the tee box.

DK watching his ball fly by DMacs.

Shackie preparing for drive-by.

Dro trying not to let the scenery distract him from hitting a good drive.

Stanga with full follow-through in his attempt to reach the green.

Bags chipping it nice and close with an envious Stanga watching from the green.

Cookster letting it fly.

Bags posing for the cover of Golf Magazine.  Too bad ladies...he's taken!

Jesper, J.Ord, Iceman, and Tbone.  

Bags watching his ball split the fairway.

Stanga on balance with the waves crashing in the background.

J.Ord doubling up Iceman as his ball flies towards the green.

Cragun posing as he sticks it in close and yells, "Double back on you J.Ord!"

Dro, DMac, Nelly, and DK stopping for a quick pose.

DMac in perfect form like always.

DK watching his ball float towards the green with the ocean looking on.

Nelly clearing the hips and getting ready to crush.

DK finishing strong with the clubhouse as a backdrop.

J.Ord and Jesper enjoying some rest and relaxation before their final round.

Bags, Shackie and Dro taking in a multitude of fluids after walking 36+ miles in 3 days.

I think I am regretting that decision now as I sit in my classroom and dream of Bandon Dunes but at the time, it was a good one.  I saved $250+ on the round and was able to get some great shots of everyone golfing on the most calm and serene day we had experienced.  There was no wind to speak of, the sun was shining, and the ocean was as blue as ever.
That afternoon, we were scheduled to play the 14 hole par 3 course but it just so happened that Bandon Trails was wide open.  This is the same course where I shot an 83 the day before and where I had an out-of-body experience thinking I had actually died and gone to heaven.  My foursome of Bags, Iceman, and Shackie couldn't pass this opportunity up.  We teed up on #1 and never looked back.  In the 4+ hours we played that afternoon, we didn't see one other golfer.  We had the course to ourselves and we felt like giddy little school children on the first day of summer.  I don't know if I will ever forget that round.

Shackie, Bags, Dro, and Iceman enjoying their last round together at Trails.

Iceman teeing off on a par 3.

Shackie getting ready to crush.

Dro accelerating through the ball.

Bags sticking it close on a par 3.

 Iceman from out of the shubbery at Trails.

Dro and Shackie

Iceman and Bags

  

Bags, with one last fist pump coming up 18 at Trails.















Unfortunately, it had to come to an end and the spirit had to re-enter the body.  Reality came crashing down on us as we packed our bags, got into the car, and left the place where our dreams had been fulfilled and an item on all of our bucket lists had been checked off.



 Dro, Bags, Iceman, and Shackie needing a ride after 108 holes of golf in 3 days.  Wow.













I don't think I will ever forget Bandon Dunes and the bonds that were strengthened amongst my friends.  I want to thank most importantly all the wives that made it happen.  Their understanding and sacrifice for us will never be forgotten and hopefully repaid in full by all of us.  I want to furthermore thank my friends for encouraging me to go and for sacrificing their time and money to go as well.  Golf just isn't the same without friends to see you at your best and worst.

Finally, I want to thank David McLay Kidd, Bill Core, and Ben Crenshaw.  These three men were key in designing Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails: 2 different courses in scenery and layout but 2 courses that I will never forget in my lifetime.

Ocean View at Bandon Dunes.

Tree lined fairways at Bandon Trails.