Pacific Dunes at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon: Tom Doak's dream is among America's best

BANDON, Ore. -- The Pacific Dunes course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has been called the best golf course in America.

While that fact may be debatable, there's little debate that the links land on which Pacific Dunes was built is among the best in the United States. And there's no debate that Tom Doak created a links masterpiece when Pacific Dunes opened in 2001.

Doak said the 6,663-yard, par-71 Pacific Dunes course "is short enough to give you hope, but rugged enough to test every facet of your game."

Pacific Dunes is one of four distinctly different golf courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and a fifth course (Bandon Preserve) opens in May 2012.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 14

Pacific Dunes is one of four distinctly different designs at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 1

The fairway is wider that it looks on the first hole of the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, but the approach to the green is filled with trouble.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 4

The par-4 fourth hole plays along the Pacific Ocean on the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 13

Here's a look at the par-4 13th hole on the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 4

The fourth green on the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is located at the edge of a cliff.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 8

Getting your golf ball safely on the eighth green of the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is a challenge.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 13

You can see the Old Macdonald Course in the background as you play the 13th hole of the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - greens

The greens on the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort are a challenge.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - caddies

A caddie can help you navigate the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - hole 16

Keeping your approach shot on the green won't be easy on the 16th hole of the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - clubhouse

The 4,500-square-foot clubhouse at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort features the Pacific Grill restaurant on the upper level.

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Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes - pro shop

The large pro shop is on the lower level of the clubhouse at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

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