The hardest tournament I ever played was the PGA Players Ability Test. 36 holes with a target score you had to match or beat. The score itself wasn't the issue. It was knowing exactly where you stood as the day went on with the target score always in your mind. Add in limited practice time to prepare for many assistants. Many talented players struggled to pass.
Bandon Crossings
2007 - Dan Hixson
The perfect companion to Bandon Dunes resort lies just a few miles down the road. And can be had for under $100!
Dan Hixson has designed a truly fascinating heathland style course. He allowed the land to mold the course, rather than molding the land to fit. This means big natural features you rarely see on a modern course.
The fairways have lots of movement in all dimensions. You won’t find boring tee shots here. Where you end up matters, you will find all kinds of varied lies and stances based on where your ball lands.
The greens are fantastic. Ranging from small to huge, they have lots of movement and some have very bold contours. The bunkering is rugged and fits the property perfectly. Aesthetically the course does harken to the English heathlands.
A very cool touch, the course has a walking 9 hole loop that avoids the lower half of the course, which would require some big walks. You can walk all 18, but those who want less of a workout can do the 9 hole walk.
For $86 walking peak season, it’s not cheap, but it’s a bargain for the quality of the golf.
I highly recommend adding this to your Bandon trip. It’s a fantastic course in its own right and deserves a visit. If your legs are beat after 5 rounds at Bandon, grab a cart and zip around!