Who can ever forget waking up at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning in July and watching the British Open? For the longest time Americans have been fascinated with the golf and golf courses of the British Isles. In recent years golf in the United States has taken a new trail that attempts to emulate some of these great masterpieces of Britain.

Oregon is home to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This is a one-of -a-kind resort that features three championship golf courses that are all rated among the top 100 golf courses in the United States. The resort also features numerous lodging opportunities that includes the Grove Cottages, which are a great place for a group of four golfers to stay.

Bandon Dunes is located about 25 minutes from the North Bend Airport. The golf courses are built along more than 23 miles of coastline and have incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. The three golf courses located here are Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails.

Bandon Dunes was the first golf course to open at this facility in 1999 and has been described as a Scottish links in America. Here you will find ocean holes, thick gorse and an ever-present wind that will cause havoc to the unsuspecting golfer. This golf course was designed by David McLay Kidd, from Scotland, and is set on top of a high bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Two of the three golf courses at Bandon Dunes can be considered links style golf courses. The Bandon Trials golf course is the latest golf course to be built on the property and was designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. Todd Henderson, who recently played all three of these golf courses said, " Bandon Trails is definitely the most scenic of the three golf courses. The golf course is more tree-lined and is a great contrast to the other links-style golf courses."

The golf courses at Bandon Dunes strive to give the golfer the best experience possible. With this attitude of service in mind, all three golf courses provide caddies that will carry your bag around 18 holes. Don't bother to bring your big staff bag as caddies will transfer your clubs into a lighter more manageable bag.

The weather in Oregon can be very similar to the conditions in Britain. Depending on what time of year you visit, golfers can get a true Scottish experience not only in the golf courses but also in the wind and rain that often fall. Battling the elements and pot bunkers is a great way to understand what golfers go through during many British Opens.

If you are looking for some help with your game during your stay, the resort has a mammoth 32-acre practice facility. Here you will be able to hone your game and even take a lesson if your game is really on the rocks. Included in the practice facility is a 1-acre bunker and practice putting area.

Bandon Dunes has not finished growing. Currently there is a fourth golf course that is being built. The Old McDonald Golf Course is being designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. This golf course is scheduled to open in 2010 and hopes to emulate some of the great design characteristics of golf holes from around the world.

Bandon Dunes is one golf facility you need to keep on your radar for a golf vacation in Oregon. There are very few places in the country that can so closely imitate the conditions of the British Isles. Bandon Dunes does a great job and keeps their golf courses in top condition all year round.

This article is #1 in a series on Bandon Dunes, Oregon.

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