Bandon Crossings

Bandon has become one of the hottest locations for American golf, so Rex Smith decided to jump onboard. Rather than try going head-to-head with Mike Keiser's links golf battalion, Smith founded Bandon Crossings to fill a niche left out by the resort: public golf affordable to Bandon residents on a day-to-day basis.

Affordable golf meant finding affordable property, which meant getting away from the Pacific Coast. Fortunately, Smith was a well-travelled golfer and spotted another opportunity to differentiate Crossings from the "competition." Rather than tangle with the resort's links claims, Crossings claims its heritage in the firm heathland golf surrounding London.

Although not experiencing wind quite like Bandon Dunes, Crossings is more than a casual warm-up for its neighbors. Smith tapped Oregon native Dan Hixson for a route that plays fast across the property's Twomile Creek(s). Most caddies at the resort will acknowledge heading south of town for more casual rounds at the course.