The Origin: A Dream Built on Sand and Vision

Before Bandon was a mecca, it was a gamble. Mike Keiser, a greeting card entrepreneur with a deep love for golf in its rawest form, stood on the windswept cliffs near the tiny town of Bandon in the late 1990s and saw more than just dunes—he saw destiny.

He wanted links golf. The kind you walk. The kind where the weather is part of the test. He partnered with Scottish-born architect David McLay Kidd, and in 1999, Bandon Dunes opened to quiet fanfare and instant reverence.

A year later, AmateurGolf.com founder Pete Wlodkowski was one of the early believers. “I remember thinking this is where we could create something special—not just another tournament, but something with heart,” Pete says.

A Format That Honors the Game

What began as a two-man best-ball has evolved into a multi-division event featuring Championship, Senior, and the growing Father & Son division—now nearly half the field.

“It wasn’t planned that way,” Pete says. “But we noticed more and more dads and sons were signing up. You could feel the emotion out there. It just made sense to recognize it.”

Players tackle four of Bandon’s crown jewels:

Pacific Dunes, Sheep Ranch, Bandon Trails, and Bandon Dunes.

The event blends serious competition with real camaraderie. The team dinner is part roast, part reunion. “You might be battling on the course, but that night everyone’s sharing stories and raising a glass together,” Pete adds.

The Bandon Effect

What separates this event isn’t just the courses—it’s the feeling.

There are no carts. No gallery ropes. No influencer culture. Just golf in its purest form, where the wind matters and every step counts.

“You don’t scroll your phone between holes at Bandon,” Pete says. “You soak it in. The views. The silence. The competition. It’s the most present I’ve ever seen people.”

Why It Sells Out Every Year

Access: Bandon is bucket-list golf, and this event gives you structured rounds on four of the best layouts on the planet.

Culture: It’s competitive but never cutthroat. You’ll meet teammates you’ll stay in touch with for life.

Legacy: For many, especially Father & Son teams, this becomes an annual tradition.

The Opening Tee Shots Are About to Fly

This year’s field is locked in. Bags are packed. Yardage books are dog-eared. And as the first groups head to the tee at Pacific Dunes, we want to wish every player the best of luck this week.

Play hard. Walk proud. And enjoy every step.

“This is the heartbeat of AmateurGolf.com,” Pete says. “Everything we’ve built started here—and it still sets the tone for what we do.”

This event isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who pack extra gloves. Who walk 36 and love it. Who care about the score but care more about who they played with.

And for those lucky enough to tee it up at Bandon each April, the only thing better than playing it once—is coming back.