Scottsdale, AZ (November 14, 2011) – Jim Colton has received the “2011 Walking Golfer of the Year” award for his passionate commitment to the walking game of golf. Members of The Walking Golfers Society chose Jim Colton unanimously after he walked 155 holes at Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club on June 22^nd in order to raise over $110,000 for injured caddie Ben Cox and his family.

“Jim Colton is an inspiration to us all. He turned his passion for walking Ballyneal into a mission to help a caddie who was seriously injured in a ski accident. Walking 155 holes in a single day is an incredible accomplishment that Jim hopes to surpass in 2012,” said Rob Rigg, founder of The Walking Golfers Society. “We are honored that Jim has accepted the award for the 2011 Walking Golfer of the Year and look forward to assisting Jim in promoting his future charitable endeavors that will be tied to walking when you golf.”

“I’m just a guy who really loves the game of golf and discovered a way to use that passion to impact one family’s life for the better,” said Colton after receiving the award. “That, in and of itself, has been prize enough. To win the 2011 Walking Golfer of the Year is the icing on the cake to an unforgettable year. Thank you to The Walking Golfers Society for this tremendous honor.”

Jim Colton received The 2011 Walking Golfer of the Year Award from Rob Rigg and Todd Rohrer on behalf of The Walking Golfers Society

In 2012, Mr. Colton, who resides in Chicago, IL and is the author of the popular golf blog, wegoblogger31.com, plans to launch a charitable organization called “One Divot” that aims to “help change the world for the better one divot at a time.” The cornerstone event for the new charity will be the Hundred Hole Hike, in which golfers around the world will aim to play at least 100 holes on the same day to raise money for local charities.

Mr. Colton is the first individual to win “The Walking Golfer of the Year.” In 2009, the award was presented to Mike Keiser on behalf of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and in 2010 the award went to The Evans Scholars Foundation sponsored by the Western Golf Association.

Jim reached the Pacific Ocean and realized there was nowhere else he could carry his bag in 2011

A leather plaque, created by Oregon craftsman Larry Eisenbach of Raygun Digital Artistry, and a MacKenzie Walker leather golf bag, crafted by The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, were presented to Jim Colton at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort of October 30th. Rigg, who also is president of TRUE linkswear, and Todd Rohrer, president of The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, represented The Walking Golfers Society and presented the awards to Colton.

The Walking Golfers Society was founded in early 2009, along with TheWalkingGolfer.com, to promote the many benefits of walking when you golf. The Society has over 750 members across the U.S. and around the world. There is no membership fee to join The Walking Golfers Society, just a passion for enjoying golf as a walking game. For more information, please visit www.thewalkinggolfer.com.

TRUE linkswear is an innovative golf footwear company that recently introduced a “barefoot” golf shoe that is comfortable, lightweight and worn on the PGA Tour by Ryan Moore. More information can be found at www.truelinkswear.com.

The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company was founded in 1985. Its leather golf bags are carried by thousands of passionate walking golfers around the world and each one is constructed by hand at a shop in Portland, Ore. More information can be found at www.themackenziegolfbagcompany.com.

Contacts:
Rob Rigg
The Walking Golfers Society, TRUE linkswear
rob.rigg@thewalkinggolfer.com

Todd Rohrer
MacKenzie Golf Bags
todd@themackenziegolfbagcompany.com

PORTLAND, Ore. (January 18, 2011) – The Evans Scholars Foundation, sponsored by the Western Golf Association, has received the “2010 Walking Golfer of the Year” award for its passionate commitment to the walking game of golf. Members of The Walking Golfers Society chose The Evans Scholars from a list of worthy candidates.

“The Evans Scholars Foundation exemplifies the positive impact that the great walking game of golf can have on society by providing full four-year scholarships to young motivated high school senior caddies with stellar academic records who would not be able to attend college without financial support,” said Rob Rigg, founder of The Walking Golfers Society. “We are honored that they have accepted the award for the 2010 Walking Golfer of the Year and thank them for encouraging our next generation of leaders to embrace golf as a walking game.”

The Western Golf Association was formed in 1899 to promote golf in what then was considered the western region of the United States. In 1929, famed golfer Chick Evans Jr., asked the WGA to administer the fund he had established some years earlier to send deserving caddies to college. He could think of no finer organization to entrust his legacy and grow his vision. In 1930, the WGA awarded its first two scholarships to caddies Harold Fink and Jim McGinnis. The WGA currently awards more than 200 full tuition and housing awards annually, with 850 Evans Scholars enrolled at 18 universities. An estimated 100,000 golfers contribute each year in Chick’s honor to the Evans Scholars Program to help the WGA meet annual tuition and housing costs that exceed $11 million.

“We truly appreciate receiving this honor from The Walking Golfers Society,” said WGA President & CEO John Kaczkowski. “We believe golf is best enjoyed as a walking game. Supporting our mission to help send young caddies to college is one way the greater golf community helps to preserve the tradition and value of walking.”

(L to R) Todd Rohrer - MacKenzie Golf Bags, Jeff Harrison - WGA/Evans Scholars, John Kaczkowski - WGA/Evans Scholars, Rob Rigg - The Walking Golfers Society/TRUE linkswear

A leather plaque, created by Oregon craftsman Larry Eisenbach of Ray-Gun Imagery, and a MacKenzie Walker leather golf bag, crafted by The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, were presented to the WGA during an Evans Scholars Selection Committee meeting at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Ill., on Jan. 15. Rigg, who also is president of TRUE linkswear, and Todd Rohrer, president of The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, represented The Walking Golfers Society and presented the awards. Jeff Harrison, Vice President of Education for the WGA and Evans Scholars Foundation, joined Kaczkowski in accepting on behalf of their members.

The Award and Golf Bag are proudly displayed in the lobby of WGA headquarters

The Walking Golfers Society was founded in early 2009, along with TheWalkingGolfer.com, to promote the many benefits of walking when you golf. The Society has over 500 hundred members across the U.S. and around the world. There is no membership fee to join The Walking Golfers Society, just a passion for enjoying golf as a walking game. For more information, please visit www.thewalkinggolfer.com.

TRUE linkswear is an innovative golf footwear company that recently introduced a “barefoot” golf shoe that is comfortable, lightweight and worn on the PGA Tour by Ryan Moore. More information can be found at www.truelinkswear.com .

The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company was founded in 1985. Its leather golf bags are carried by thousands of passionate walking golfers around the world and each one is constructed by hand at a shop in Portland, Ore. More information can be found at www.themackenziegolfbagcompany.com.

Contacts:
Rob Rigg
The Walking Golfers Society, TRUE linkswear
rob.rigg@thewalkinggolfer.com

Todd Rohrer
MacKenzie Golf Bags
todd@themackenziegolfbagcompany.com

The TRUE tour at Chambers Bay

On the course, the TRUEs are closer to the ground than any other performance golf shoe on the market and Ryan Moore believes they have helped him perform very consistently on Tour since he put them in play.

Ryan was so excited about the TRUE linkswear concept that he decided to become a part owner in the company and he is very passionate about the product.

“I’m wearing TRUE linkswear golf shoes because they’re the lightest, most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I’m a feel player and every part of the way I experience the game of golf, from the teebox through the green depends on having a solid connection with the ground. These shoes provide that connection in a way I’ve never felt before. I was so excited to learn about this golf shoe concept, and when I finally got to wear the shoes for the first time, I knew I wanted to wear them on Tour.”

The TRUEs are built on a barefoot platform which means they have a wide toe box to allow each toe to function individually and they also have maximum surface area contact with the ground which is proven to improve balance and traction. The TPU “ergo-traction” sole has been designed to work with your body during the swing and while walking between shots. Because they are closer to the ground than other golf shoes, TRUE linkswear ensured that the upper was built from 100% Full Grain Waterproof Leather paired with a seam sealed water proof membrane with Outlast lining. The goal was simply 360 degree waterproofing and the feedback thus far has been very positive.

Ryan Moore rocking the TRUEs on Sunday - Screen shot from CBS Coverage

The TRUEs will be available for Pre-Order in late-August 2010 through TRUE linkwear.com and the shoes will arrive in October.

For more information please visit the TRUE linkswear website.

If you are a passionate walking golfer who is looking for comfort while playing Bandon Dunes, Ballyneal, Ballybunion or your home course, then I wholeheartedly believe the TRUEs will be a great fit for you.

Rob Rigg

President and Co-Founder – TRUE linkswear and Founder of The Walking Golfers Society

Par 71

6,944 Yards

Architects: Tom Doak and Jim Urbina, with Karl Olson, Bradley Klein and George Bahto consulting.

Cost: $220 for 1st round of Day at Resort, $110 for 2nd, $0 for 3rd (rates lower in off season). Caddies are available for $55 plus tip.

Old Macdonald, the fourth course at Bandon Dunes, opened for play on June 1st, 2010.

I had the pleasure of teeing it at Old Mac on opening day, playing a total of 39 holes, and it was easily the most fun I have ever had on a golf course. I had thoroughly enjoyed the preview round and the full eighteen was, umm, eight holes better.

There are a mix of photos from the preview round and opening day below.

"Sahara" Bunker and "Eden" Green

Old Macdonald is a tribute to C.B. Macdonald, who many consider the father of modern golf in the United States. In order to bring the “highest caliber” of golf to the shores of America, Macdonald traveled across Great Britain and played many of its renowned links courses. On his own course designs, such as The National Golf Links of America on Long Island which opened in 1910, Macdonald used “hole templates” such as the Redan, Short and Alps that he found on courses in England and Scotland.

The course that Tom Doak and Jim Urbina have designed at Bandon Dunes, at the direction of Mike Keiser, has incorporated the spirit of many of Macdonald’s template holes into a spectacular routing which borders Pacific Dunes towards the northern end of the property.

Karl Olson, former super at NGLA, Bradley Klein, long-time architecture focused writer for Golfweek, and George Bahto, author of the C.B. Macdonald biography “The Evangelist of Golf”, have also worked with the Renaissance Team to ensure that Old Macdonald adheres to the spirit and passion of the man it is built to honor.

Old Macdonald is a wonderful golfing experience and very reminiscent of links golf on the coast of Scotland as the course is quite open, has wide playing corridors, is subject to wind, and calls upon the golfer for creativity in shot making.

The course is walkable, with several ascents but mostly flat to rolling terrain. The scenery, which includes blow out bunkers, ocean views and some amazing tree specimens, contributes even further to what is already an “all world” round of golf. I would not be surprised if Old Macdonald becomes a favorite of many golfers who travel to Bandon Dunes.

Sahara Bunker with Snare Tree in the background

Hole #1 – “Double Plateau” – Par 4 (341/213 yards)

The opening hole at Old Mac is a nice introduction to the round as the golfer is greeted with a wide fairway and rather accepting green.

As you gaze across the landscape from the first tee it feels like you are playing a course that has been around for many years, with edges roughed by nature over time.

Hole #2 – “Eden” – Par 3 (181/102 yards)

Eden is a short to medium length one shotter depending on the wind and pin position. The revetted bunker front right is probably the most challenging to play from on the course, but rather fun to go in (especially if you make an up and down).  The green is about 38 yards deep and runs front to back in three tiers.

Tee shot at "Eden"

Hole #3 – “Sahara” – Par 4 (375/217 yards)

As you can see in the photos at the top of the post, the Sahara bunker is a beauty.

The third tee lies just off the back of the Eden green and the golfer is tasked to strike his ball up over a 40 ft ridge to the left of the bunker. The ideal ball flight is just right of the snare tree and down to the sloping fairway.

The dune that this hole runs across is spectacular, with long grass, sand, gorse and old trees creating a fascinating landscape.

Dunescape on the "Sahara" Hole

The large green is sunk into a little bowl with side and back boards to help keep the ball on the putting surface. The tees for “Hogback” are just behind the green in the short grass, a very linksy touch.

Approach to the "Sahara" Green

Hole #4 – “Hogsback” – Par 4 (504/283 yards)

“Hogsback” is a long two shotter that can easily turn into a three shotter if the drive is not pured and appropriately placed on the left side of the large spine that runs along the length of the hole. This a fun tee shot and the reward for crushing one is a long walk between drive and approach.

I played this hole with the wind during the summer and recall going driver, 9 iron. On opening day we played against the winter wind, although it was June, and I went driver, driver off the deck, and then putter from 50 yards.

"Hogsback" Tee at Old Macdonald

The natural beauty of the site at Old Macdonald is staggering as is evident in the photo below.

Blow Out bunkers on "Hogsback"

Both of these drives took advantage of the slope and were over three hundred yards. The approach is challenging as a deep swale runs across the front of the green which means any shot that lands short, which is a necessity with a tailwind, needs to land in the trough or upslope to kick onto the green without running over.

Approach to "Hogsback" Green

The wind is just ripping at the flag below, links golf at its best. The swale will catch any approach that lands too short and an uphill chip creates a difficult up and down.

Swale guarding the Green on "Hogsback"

While the green may look large and flat, there is a mix of undulations that must be taken into consideration while putting. Once again, the greenside bunkering looks like it has been there for years.

"Hogsback" Green

Hole #5 – “Short” – Par 3 (160/100)

The round continues with an entertaining one shotter across a little valley to a mammoth double green that slopes severely, in levels, from back to front. The green is surrounded on the sides by huge bunkers that should be avoided at all costs. While the green is massive , it can be difficult to find the proper level, especially in strong winds.

View from Tee to Green on "Short"

The two tee shots below are safe as they found the correct tier, while another drive long and left will face a massively sloping downhill putt that could easily run down past the pin to the front level, or off the green.

Severely sloping Green on "Short" with ninja Caddie in background

"Short" and "Bottle" combine to form a huge double green

The “Short” green is actually a massive double which links up with the putting surface on the “Bottle” hole. The grand undulating contours that can be found on many Old Macdonald greens are obvious in the picture below. The scale of Old Macdonald is overwhelming, in a very good way, for any golfer who is used to playing tree lined courses at home.

Hole #6 – “Long” – Par 5 – (555/354 yards)

The view from the tee on “Long” will make any links golf junkie excited – a wide open vista with clumps of gorse, fescue, bunkers, ridges, mounds, and the ocean somewhere in the distance.

View from Tees on "Long"

A well placed drive on the left side of the fairway leaves a view to the pin in the distance, but the right side is the safest option although it forces the golfer to face down Doak and Urbina’s rendition of the “Hell Bunker”, which is spectacular.

The "Long" Fairway with the Hell Bunker in the distance.

The “Hell Bunker” crosses the fairway about 120 yards from the center of the green. It is probably the most intimidating man made feature I have ever seen on a golf course. After a big drive, the golfer has a big decision to make on the second, as the bunker confuses lay up strategy because of its size.

Downwind, the green is very reachable and the bunker should not come into play, but against the summer headwind it can bare its teeth.

"Hell Bunker" from the Fairway on "Long"

Railroad ties have been implemented to keep the earth in place.

View into "Hell"

Once past the bunker, a green awaits that is a lot more undulating than meets the eye.

Green on "Long"

Hole #7 – Ocean – Par 4 – (393/195 yards)

From the tee, this looks like a short but challenging uphill slog to a green located up on a plateau. Into a 30 mph wind, the second hole plays a lot longer than its yardage, while it can play quite short with a helping wind from the south – making 3 wood and then putter from the fairway a decent play.

Tee shot on "Ocean"

The approach is blind from the bottom of the hill.

View up from the "Ocean" Fairway

At the top, an incredible view awaits, especially on a clear day.

A rewarding view from the "Ocean" Green

There is not a lot of room to miss long although there are bunkers that may catch an errant shot that rolls off the back. The green is expansive with sideboards on the left and right. The vista is one of the best on the entire property.

View across the "Ocean" Green down the Coast

The “Snack Shack” at Old Macdonald has a panoramic view of the Pacific and provides a great angle to check out the Sheep Ranch to the north.

The best placed "Snack Shack" in the World

Hole #8 – “Biarritz” – Par 3 (181/121 yards)

With a cross-wind whipping, the golfer is happy that the putting surface looks so big. Little do they know that a large swale located in the middle of the green will make a putt from the wrong section extremely difficult. In true “Biarritz” fashion, the deep swale is complemented by bunkers that guard the green on the side and the back.

"Biarritz" Tee at Old Macdonald

The trough in the middle of the green is amazing to behold for any golfer who has never seen a “Biarritz” before. Doak and Urbina have done a fabulous job of integrating this template into the rugged environment along the Oregon coast by tweaking the shape of a “typical” Biarritz green to ensure that the swale looks quite natural.

"Biarritz" Green

The tee shot caught in the valley has a big climb to get to the hole. Clearly, this is not an undulation but a deep scar in the green that is several feet below the other sections of the putting surface.

"Biarritz" Swale at Old Mac

Hole #9 – “Cape” – Par 4 (416/231 yards)

The “Cape” is a heroic hole that challenges the golfer to bite off as much land as he can on the drive. This inland version is much tamer than its predecessor at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, but it is still a decent hole. A safe play to the left will leave a mid to long iron approach, while a long drive that skips past the bunkers can leave a gap wedge into the green if you have a tailwind.

"Cape" Tee at Old Macdonald

An errant drive may find one of these timeless fairway bunkers. You will not find a lot of fluffy sand on Old Macdonald.

Fairway Bunker on "Cape"

These large greenside bunkers wait patiently for an offline approach, although the contoured green can defend itself well enough on its own.

Approach to "Cape" over right rough

Hole #10 – “Bottle” – Par 4 (365/323 yards)

Off the tee, the golfer encounters a series of bunkers that cross the fairway at longer intervals, beginning short-left and ending far-right. So you must be realistic about distance in order to choose the safe and appropriate line, always factoring in the wind.

"Bottle" Tee at Old Macdonald

The approach is to a raised green that is protected on the front with a bunker. The shot below from wide right shows that the “Long” fairway is not such a bad line to come in on.

"Bottle" Green from "Long" Fairway at Old Macdonald

Anything short will lead to the classic links conundrum of wedge versus putter . . . it is never easy to clip it off the short grass to a raised green.

Short of Green on "Bottle"

Hole #11 – “Road” – Par 4 (445/313)

Designed in the spirit of the most famous hole in golf, the “Road Hole” at Old Macdonald is a lot of fun.

Into the wind, this hole plays pretty long so a drive too far left can turn it into a three shotter. The optimal line is over the edge of the long grass and safely onto the fairway.

"Road" Tee at Old Macdonald

While the famous “Road Bunker” is visible from the tee, its presence is much more daunting on the approach as the size and depth become apparent. Try not to be distracted by the gorgeous natural blow out bunkers and dunes in the background.

Approach to "Road" Hole Green

The softest sand on the course awaits the golfer in the bunker. Note how the strong wind has pushed the sand half way up the right side, while the flag whips in the background.

"Road" Bunker at Old Mac

There is no road or path along the back of the green, just a tightly mown collection area that leads to longer grass.

There is no "Road" behind this Green

Hole #12 – “Redan” – Par 3 (237/91 yards)

The “Redan” on Old Mac is a devilish original.

Into the wind it takes a low hooking iron or well struck fade. With the wind it seems to call for a low running shot that manages to run up the right side and stop on the putting surface.

Tee on the "Redan"

Hole #13 – “Leven” – Par 4 (346/220 yards

“Leven” is a really fun short par four with a tailwind that probably plays rather stout into a headwind.

Tee on "Leven"

The fairway and green are made for the “putter approach” which is my favorite. The bunkers on the right are trouble but there is plenty of room on the left to run a shot in and down to the pin, even if it is tucked behind the bunkers.

Fairway on "Leven"

The ball below was played in across the undulations, up around the left side of the green and back down to the right. It was about 15 seconds of links golf nirvana watching the shot from start to finish.

"Leven" Green with Snare Tree

Hole #14 – Maiden – Par 4 (370/230 yards)

The seventh is a drivable uphill par four when the wind is helping, but probably not in a cross-wind. The hole has some “Cape” like qualities in that an attack on the green will require a long a precise carry over hazards. The right side of the fairway actually provides the best line into the green for a wedge approach.

Tee shot on "Maiden"

The fairway has a strong camber that starts high on the right side. Although the lie may not be flat, it is possible to get a wedge or putter close from here.

Approach on "Maiden"

The green is large with sweeping undulations. A large bunker will gobble up anything long and leave a challenging “out” to a green that is running away with a sharp drop off the front.

Green and back bunker on "Maiden"

Hole #15 – “Westward Ho” – Par 5 (535/340 yards)

The 15th is a stout three shotter that will usually play with a cross-wind. It plays from dune to dune across a valley.

"Westward Ho" from the Fairway

After negotiating the ball past a deep fore bunker, the golfer encounters a front to back sloping green with a gorgeous blow out bunker in the background. It is a good idea to say out of that one.

"Westward Ho" Green and Blow Out behind

Hole #16 – “Alps” – Par 4 (455/270 yards)

Possibly the most fun hole on the course, Alps plays downhill back along Westward Ho. The green is hidden behind the “Alps” which is the huge mound in the distance pictured below.

Tee shot on "Alps"

A drive on the left side of the fairway will leave a blind approach. There is a cavernous bunker behind the Alps on the right and a long slope on the left that will kick a ball down onto the green.

"Alps" from the Fairway

A well struck drive down the right will provide a big advantage in a clear view to the green. A low running shot between the bunkers would be a great play from here.

"Alps" Green view after ideal drive

Looking back from the green it becomes evident that a left fairway drive off the tee actually leaves a fairly straightforward approach over the Alps which will run down to the green, provided it lands on the short grass and not in the bunkers on either side of the ramp.

Looking back from green to "Alps"

The “all clear” bell behind the Alps green – a nice touch that lawyers will approve.

The all clear bell behind the "Alps" Green

Hole #17 – “Littlestone” – Par 5 (546/343 yards)

The most fun three shotter on the course is reachable with a big drive up the right side over the “swamp” or waste area which is 250ish out. The left side is fairly open off the tee and a safe play.

Tee shot on "Littlestone"

From behind the waste area the superior angle from the right side to the green is more evident.

View from behind the "Littlestone Swamp"

The green is protected by a deep bunker on the front left while the right is open. At 64 yards long, club selection to the putting surface plays very differently day to day.

Fairway Bunker view to the "Littlestone" Green

Hole #18 – “Punchbowl” – Par 4 (469/312 yards)

“Punchbowl” has one of the most FUN greens I have ever seen.

A rather inviting fairway welcomes the final drive of the day.

Tee shot on "Punchbowl"

The huge bowl shaped green is protected on the front by several large mounds that block access. The green has four separate shelves and plays 46 yards deep. A running approach is always the play if possible – if only to watch the ball react to the contours.

“Punchbowl” provides a fabulous end to the round.

Fortunately, the first tee beckons loudly only about 50 yards away.

The passionate walking golfer will want to re-tee it immediately as there are few golfing journeys as enjoyable as Old Macdonald.

Fairway bunker view to "Punchbowl" Green

Old Macdonald will probably become a favorite of many visitors to the resort, which says a great deal about the course because it only touches the ocean a couple of times, unlike Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes which have several epic stretches along the bluffs.

The scale of Old Macdonald is much bigger than any of the other courses because of the open vistas and elevation changes around the edges. Pacific Dunes is an incredible course with exquisite attention to detail and a superior routing, but Old Macdonald MAY have something that it is missing in its obvious and powerful tie to the links courses of Scotland that C.B. Macdonald used as a foundation for NGLA, his masterpiece. OM and PD are very different, each compelling in its own way.

Old Macdonald is very walkable, a 3.25 out of 4 IMO. The climb over the dune on “Sahara” is a little steep, the “Ocean” hole has another steep climb,  and there are other steady climbs on Maiden and Westward Ho. The 4th through the 6th and 9th through 13th play across a rather flat valley and then 17 and 18 are on the same fairly level stretch as 1 and 2. I would consider Old Macdonald a pretty “easy walk”.

In terms of Architecture, the team at Renaissance have once again done an incredible job with a compelling piece of land. Macdonald’s templates have not been copied, but used for inspiration and taken to another level by Doak, Urbina and team. Old Macdonald appears as if it has been there for many, many, years which is a testament to its creators and the skills of the Super Ken Nice and his staff. Aesthetically, Old Macdonald competes with the tree lined landscape of Trails on 1,2, 17 and 18, along with both of the Dunes courses which boast a series of ocean holes. The blowouts on and around Old Macdonald are like nothing on the property aside from the 13th at Pacific. The rugged and beautiful nature of the property is spectacular and the old world links golf flavor of the course must be seen to be believed. Old Macdonald receives 3.75 out of 4 for Architecture and Aesthetics.

Strategy is important for scoring at Old Macdonald, but like St.Andrews, the course is incredibly playable for all levels of golfer due to the wide fairways, a 2 out of 2. The greens are very big and tricky at first because of a mix of large and subtle undulations, but they are definitely a fair challenge. Smart play and a good strategy can result in excellent scoring, so stay focused and enjoy this “all world” golfing experience.

TWG Rating for Old Macdonald Golf Links:

3.25 / 4 – Walkability

3.75 / 4 – Architecture and Aesthetics

2.0 / 2 – Strategy and Playability

9.0 / 10 – Total

All Photos by Rob Rigg, 2009 and 2010
Review by Rob Rigg, 2010 (updated)

The Walking Golfer Course Rating System

Total is out of 10 Points

0 – 4 points – Walkability

0 – 4 points – Architecture and Aesthetics

0 - 2 points – Playability and Strategy

BDGR was announced as the award winner about a month ago, click here for the press release.

Mike Keiser, a visionary who has created one of the premier golf destinations in the world, accepted the award on behalf of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

From L to R: Todd Rohrer (The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company), Mike Keiser (Bandon Dunes Golf Resort), Jeff Brinegar (PGA Head Professional at Pacific Dunes and Old Macdonald), Rob Rigg (The Walking Golfers Society). Photo by Wood Sabold. www.woodsabold.com

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which is without a doubt the walking golf capital of North America, is a special place on many levels. It boasts three, soon to be four, of the best golf courses in the world and all of them are walking only. The positive energy and passion for playing “golf as it was meant to be” hums through the Resort. From the head professionals and the caddies, to the waitresses and shuttle drivers – it is clear that Bandon Dunes is a source of immense pride for everyone associated with the Resort.

The four spectacular venues at Bandon should not be missed if you are a passionate walking golfer.

Photo by Wood Sabold. www.woodsabold.com

The award presented to Mr. Keiser was designed by Larry Eisenbach of Ray-Gun Digital Artistry, based in Hillsboro, OR. The plaque is a steel plate, with bonded bridle leather covering the top two thirds.  Words and images have been laser etched onto the steel and leather.

Josh Smith’s painting of the 11th at Pacific Dunes is depicted at the bottom of the plaque and it sums up in a single image the main reason that the Resort won the award. It is a place where you will truly enjoy the walk – over and over again.

The Walking Golfers Society and The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company are very grateful for Larry and Josh’s help in making the award a one of a kind work of art.

The 2009 Walking Golfer of Year Award - A Laser-etched Steel and Leather Plaque created by Larry Eisenbach. Photo by Wood Sabold. www.woodsabold.com

Todd Rohrer and the talented team at The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company created a Sunday Bag to commemorate the award.

The logos for each course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort are stitched onto the ball pocket and “The 2009 Walking Golfer of the Year” has been written in script along the barrel.

The 2009 Walking Golfer of the Year MacKenzie Golf Bag with Resort Logos. Photo by Wood Sabold. www.woodsabold.com

Mr. Keiser, in addition to receiving the plaque and golf bag which will remain at the Resort, was presented with a Custom 8620 Wedge from Scratch Golf and a Fairway Wood Headcover from MacKenzie. We hope these mementos remind him of the award with a sense of pride.

Todd and I would like to thank Mr. Keiser, Todd Kloster, Jeff Brinegar, and the entire staff at Bandon Dunes for making us feel like a part of the Bandon Dunes family from the moment we stepped onto the property.

It was an honor to present the Resort with “The 2009 Walking Golfer of the Year” on behalf of our Society members.

We had a wonderful few days and were fortunate to play some “dream golf” as well!

Here is a great image from Wood Sabold:

11th Hole at Pacific Dunes. Photo by Wood Sabold. www.woodsabold.com

Read on for some photos and commentary about an epic mid-February trip to Bandon Dunes.

Rob and Todd on the 3rd Tee at Pacific Dunes

The weather for the trip was incredible, starting with our Tuesday afternoon round at Bandon Dunes. The hi-lite for me was draining a 55 foot putt on the majestic 4th hole for par, while Todd managed to shoot even par on the back nine which is pretty amazing considering it was his first round of the year!

Not that we were keeping track of score . . . no really, we didn’t.

It was all about enjoying the walk.

Rob enjoying the sun on the 6th Green at Bandon Dunes

After the award ceremony on Wednesday, Todd and I had a chance to play Bandon Trails which is a fantastic challenge.

My most enjoyable golfing memory of the trip was hitting driver off the tee on the two shot 4th, followed by an 80 yard putter from the fairway and then a 2 foot tap in for birdie. I think that Grant Rogers, the long time Director of Instruction at Bandon and a “yoda of the links”, would have approved.

Todd striding up the fairway on the 6th at Bandon Trails

Few things in golf are better than walking Pacific Dunes and we were fortunate to be the first group off in the morning. It was a bluebird day for 4.5 holes, before the fog rolled in.

Todd taking a rip on the 3rd Tee at Pacific Dunes

Ironically, neither Todd nor I lost a ball while playing through the mist that created a very “Golf in the Kingdom” atmosphere. Just aim off into the fog and take a nice smooth swing.

Rob walking into the soup on the 8th at Pacific Dunes

Todd’s bunker shot to a few feet on the 11th at Pacific should have been good enough to halve the hole, but I was fortunate to drop a ten footer for birdie to take the honor on the next tee. What a fun game this is.

Todd blasting out on the 11th at Pacific Dunes

A final photo to sum up an incredible trip to the Oregon Coast . . .

13th Hole at Pacific Dunes with The Sheep Ranch in the distance

and Josh Smith’s painting of the 11th at Pacific Dunes for good measure. Just brilliant.

The 11th Hole at Pacific Dunes - Painting by Josh Smith. www.joshsmithart.com