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Bandon Dunes to host 2013 World Speed Golf Championship
by Randall Schwartz, amateurgolf.com Member

BANDON, Oregon -- Last year, we were at Bandon Dunes to participate in the Amateurgolf.com 2-man Two Man Links Championship, the highlight of my golf year every year. As timing would have it, we were fortunate to be there when the latest course opened, the Bandon Preserve Par-3 course. On May 1st, the course was to open at 6:45 AM. My brother Keith and I woke up early to observe the festivities. Coffee in hand, we trudged over to the first tee to find around 40 people gathered around, including Mike Keiser, the owner and founder of the Bandon Dunes resort, and Bill Coore, who, along with Ben Crenshaw was the designer of the project. All were greeted with a perfect morning on the Oregon coast.

To initiate the course, Mike Keiser invited Chris Smith, the world record speed golfer to be the first golfer off the tee. I was looking forward to the exhibition because I had never seen it done in person. The course looked tremendous, much in the style of the other spectacular courses at Bandon; fabulous scenery, the holes blending into the surrounding area, looking challenging and imaginative. Smith teed off, picked up his light tote bag with 6 clubs (dressed in running tights and running shoes) and took off jogging down the first tee. Assuming that there would be a group going around with the speed golfer, I took off at a fast walking pace. It wasn’t until I had reached the first green that I realized I was the only one following Chris. There weren’t even any markers on the course to keep score or at least make sure he played all 13 holes. Chalk it up to the honesty of golf. So he and I took off for a round of speed golf on the virgin Bandon Preserve course.

I kept up with Chris at a fast walking pace as he jogged along. I was surprised that he took his time with each shot, breathing and taking a few practice swings, like a biathlete in the Olympics, focusing on making good shots. I was just trying to stay out of his way, imagining that he would have set a record time except that some dumbbell tripped him on the second hole. Not only was the speed golf fascinating to watch, but each divot the he took out of the virgin course was the first. I kept thinking of the maiden voyage of the Titanic.

Finally on the third hole, Chris turned to me and said, “Are you just going to watch, or are we going to talk?” From then on we were a team. The view of the adjacent Bandon Dunes golf course and the ocean beyond, with the gorse in its full bright yellow bloom, was spectacular. Our speed golfer was lofting shots into the morning air with solid procession, hitting every green. He was mostly playing for the wider part of the green but put a few close. No putts would go down, but the string of solid pars continued. And I was keeping up at a fast walk and occasional jog.

We played so quickly that we came up on the 11th hole and the maintenance staff was still on the green. I had to jog up and warn them of Chris’ approach. We came to the final hole, one more solid shot to 5 feet. One last rimmed put. Thirteen greens hit, 13 pars, in twenty two minutes and fifty five seconds. A great round with Chris Smith that I won’t soon forget. And a new course is opened for all.

EDITOR’s NOTE: Bandon Dunes Resort is hosting the 2013 World Speed Golf Championship; if you are interested in seeing what it’s all about (and perhaps learning to play faster in the process) tune in to CBS on Saturday, April 13 prior to Masters coverage at 1:30 EST/10:30PST.



ABOUT THE 2025 Two-Man Links at Bandon Dunes

He who hesitates is lost. And the 24th Two Man Links Championship is going to fill quickly, so don't wait! Join us for AmateurGolf.com's flagship best-ball event at the highly-acclaimed Bandon Dunes Resort - site of the 2020 U.S. Amateur and countless major amateur events. The tournament features Championship, Senior Championship, and Net and Father & Son Divisions (with gross and net prizes) and it always draws a diverse group of players from across the U.S. and Canada.

GEORGE AND MICHAEL STEVENS FATHER & SON CHAMPIONSHIP
AmateurGolf.com is pleased to report that the Father & Son division continues to grow, with 50% of the field in typically comprised of Father & Son teams! We award gross and net prizes in this division, with teams also eligible for the overall gross or net championship.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:

(4) nights lodging at Bandon Dunes Resort (see options below)
(4) tournament rounds (1) at each at four of the resort's five courses
(1) gala tournament dinner (golf attire fine)
$10,000 in prizes and awards (based on 80 players)
Tournament awards for division winners
Welcome gifts for all players

ITINERARY

Thursday, April 17, 2025
Arrival day, golf at player's expense today for those that arrive early enough or complimentary use of the impressive practice facility.
- Lodging: Bandon Dunes Resort

Friday, April 18, 2025
Tournament Round 1
Pacific Dunes
- Lodging: Bandon Dunes Resort

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Tournament Round 2
Sheep Ranch
- Lodging: Bandon Dunes Resort

Sunday, April 20, 2025
Tournament Round 3
Bandon Trails
- evening: 7:00pm - Dinner at Bandon Dunes- Macdonald Hall (above McKee's Pub)
- Lodging: Bandon Dunes Resort

Monday, April 21, 2025
Final Round
Bandon Dunes
- morning tee times tbd based on number of players -- please check out of your room prior to play unless arrangements have been made to stay over
- Tournament Awards immediately following play at Bandon Dunes.

COMPETITIONS

Prizes will be awarded by division based on the number of players in that division as follows:

Father & Son Team (Low Gross and Low Net)
Open Team (Low Gross and Low Net)

SENIORS: A trophy and bonus will be awarded to the lowest gross score among teams where both players are age 50 and over)

For net scoring, play will be at 80% of course handicap, with a maximum allowance of 18 for each player, and using the low handicap index for the past year from the USGA GHIN System. A maximum combined team handicap of 36.0 is suggested.

Play will be from the Green Tees, except that those aged 70+ may elect to play from the Gold Tees.

**LODGING OPTIONS (All prices are per player.)**

**SOLD OUT**$3095 -- ** DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PER PLAYER **
(rooming with your partner) includes 4 rounds of golf, 4 nights of lodging, one big dinner, plus $10,000 of prizes plus welcome gifts for all players

**SOLD OUT**$3695 -- ** SINGLE OCC.**
includes 4 rounds of golf, 4 nights of lodging, one big dinner, plus $10,000 of tournament prizes and welcome gifts for all players

**SOLD OUT**$3795--** CHROME LAKE LOFT PER PLAYER**
(separate bedrooms and bathrooms, shared common area). includes 4 rounds of golf, 4 nights of lodging, one big dinner, plus $10,000 of tournament prizes and welcome gifts for all players

**SOLD OUT**$4595--**ONE OR MORE 4- BEDROOM SUITES MAY BE AVAILABLE. PLEASE INQUIRE WITH BRANDIE (AT) AMATEURGOLF.COM IF INTERESTED **

**TO REGISTER, SEE REGISTRATION TAB BACK AT THE TOP**
To express an INTEREST in playing (no commitment.) click here

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