Colorado AvidGolfer
Approximately 600 miles separate Bandon Dunes from Pebble Beach. The number of votes separating the two was far fewer—seven. In the 15 years after opening Bandon Dunes—the first of its five walking-only, golf-as-it-was- meant-to-be courses on the linksland of the southern Oregon coast—Michael Keiser’s resort has distinguished itself time and again as the destination for golf pilgrims. Unlike the meccas to which it draws comparisons—Pebble, St. Andrews, Pinehurst—Bandon will likely never host a major tournament. Nor does it aspire to.The courses form a major gauntlet all their own: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald and the 10-hole Bandon Preserve. Each course delivers a singular golf experience that challenges our grey matter. And those challenges will continue, as Keiser recently inked a deal to build Bandon Links, a 27-hole, affordable links-style layout designed by Gil Hanse.
Best Overall U.S. Experience
Reader's Choice
1. Bandon Dunes, Oregon
2. Pebble Beach, California
3. Pinehurst, North Carolina
Staff Picks
American Club, Wisconsin
La Quinta, California
Princeville Hawaii
Pictured Above: Bandon Dunes, Oregon
Best Las Vegas Golf Experience
Reader's Choice
1. Wynn Las Vegas
2. Shadow Creek Golf Club, North Las Vegas
3. Cascata Golf, Boulder City
Staff Picks
Cascata
Paiute Golf Resort, Las Vegas
Shadow Creek
Pictured Above: Wynn Las Vegas
Best Mesquite/ St. George Golf Experience
1. Wolf Creek Golf Club, Mesquite, Nev.
2. Sand Hollow Resort, Hurricane, Utah
3. Coral Canyon Golf Course, Washington, Utah
Staff Picks
Conestoga Golf Club, Mesquite
Coyote Springs Golf Club, Coyote Springs, Nevada
Entrada at Snow Canyon, St. George, Utah
Pictured Above: Wolf Creek
Best Mexico Golf Experience
Reader's Choice
1. Cabo Del Sol, Cabo San Lucas
2. Estrella Del Mar, Mazatlán
3. Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta
Staff Picks
Costa Baja, La Paz
El Tigre, Puerto Vallarta
One&Only Palmilla, San José del Cabo
Pictured Above: Cabo del Sol
Best New Mexico Golf Experience
Reader's Choice
1. Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club, Sandia Park
2. Sandia Resort and Casino, Albuquerque
3. University of New Mexico Championship Course, Albuquerque
Staff Picks
Black Mesa Golf Course, Santa Fe
Paa-Ko Ridge
Sandia
Pictured Above: Paa-ko Ridge
Best Phoenix/Scottsdale Golf Experience
Reader's Choice
1. Troon North Golf Club, North Scottsdale
2. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Ft. McDowell
T-3. Whisper Rock Golf Club, Scottsdale
T-3. Desert Mountain, Scottsdale
T-3. TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale
Staff Picks
The Boulders, Carefree
TPC Scottsdale
We-Ko-Pa
Pictured Above: Troon North
Best Tucson Area Golf Experience
Reader's Choice
1. The Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Tucson
2. The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, Marana
3. Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson
Staff Picks
Sewailo Golf Club, Tucson
Tubac Golf Resort, Tubac
Ventana Canyon
Pictured Above: Ventana Canyon
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Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.