Golf Adventure in Oregon

null
Pacific Dunes near Bandon, Oregon

null
OGA Golf Course near Aurora, Oregon

A friend called the other day and announced he’d hit a hole-in-one that morning. It reminded me that several years ago, I had an assignment to photograph a gentleman who’d hit that once-in-a-lifetime shot. I made a portrait and moved along to my next assignment. As a non-golfer, I couldn’t really grasp why that fellow was smiling from ear to ear.

When I got that call the other day, however, I was floored. Back in May, I shot an assignment for 1859 Magazine for which I followed a group of talented golfers around the state of Oregon for three days as they played 18 holes in the morning and then 18 in the afternoon. Six courses in three days, through all kinds of weather.

I learned a few things about the game during those three days. There are obstacles: the weather, the tall grass, water, the sand, the trees. But the real trick is just getting that ball to go where you want it to go with three or four or five whacks with a stick. Or if you’re having a really good day, just one.

null
Pacific Trails near Bandon, Oregon