It took a Scotsman to design an authentic links golf gem like Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast

BANDON, Ore. -- It took a Scotsman to design one of the most authentic links golf courses in America. David McLay Kidd introduced the Oregon coast to the world by designing Bandon Dunes in 1999.

Other great courses have been built at this iconic resort since -- Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald and Bandon Trail, along with a par-3 course set to open in May, 2012 -- but this seaside wonder jump-started America's love affair with this remote resort four hours south of Portland.

The coastal setting offers everything necessary for links golf: sand dunes, thick native vegetation, blown-out bunkers, sweeping slopes, ever-present wind and soul-stirring ocean views.

Like all great links, it is short by modern standards at 6,732 yards from the tips. It's the elements of Mother Nature that defend par. Kidd says he wanted to course to feature the "structure of a symphony" with a strong start, a sense of anticipation, small crescendos and an incredible finishing sequence along the Pacific. Although the ocean can be seen throughout the round, the golf course kisses the shoreline on holes 5, 6, 12, 15, 16 and the tee box at 17. No carts are allowed, making Bandon Dunes one of golf's greatest walks.

Bandon Dunes sits 5 minutes from the seaside town of Bandon, just off Highway 101, and just 25 minutes from the Southwest Regional Airport in North Bend, served daily by flights from Portland and San Francisco.