Day 3 found us on Bandon Dunes again. We teed it at 8:30 in a drenching rain. It was as if we were standing under a shower. Living in Seattle I am used to rain, but I am used to playing in rain while under an umbrella for a good portion of time.

Bandon Dunes, that is not the case. You see, Umbrellas are almost useless. The wind blows too hard. Even the cool umbrellas with the wind slats cut in them like these do very little but collect the wind and knock your clubs over.  Most golfers didn’t have umbrellas and it only took me about one hole to realize that was not going to be the way to go for us either.

After ditching the umbrella, I donned the rain gloves and all was just fine.  If you have never used rain gloves, these are amazing. The key is to not worry about the amount of rain on the grips or the gloves, just grip it and go. The only thing I would advise is to practice your putting with the gloves on before you play. It is STRANGE to putt with gloves on if you have not done that before.

It poured on us for about 17 holes and I was soaked.

The rain made the punch shot a little less effective, but we adapted. Dad was tired but pushed on through an 86 and I went off for 77.

I find the Bandon course to be easier, though I score higher every time I play it. I know that sounds somewhat strange, but Pacific is so rugged and so hard that I can’t believe that Bandon is actually harder.

We dried off and changed in the locker room and hit the road for Portland.

We stayed at Brad’s place another night and then headed our separate ways. Dad to Spokane and me to Seattle.

This was the best golf trip………well, this was the best trip I have ever been on. Playing golf with Dad in the most beautiful place on Earth was something I will never forget.

We have talked about making this a yearly thing, adding the other 2 courses next time.

If I am fortunate enough to get to do this with him again, I will be a lucky man. Thank you so much Dad. Love you!

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