Featured Interns: The Scotsmen / Rory Campbell And Fraser Johnston

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Rory Campbell has a simple way of crystallizing the differences between golf in the United States and his native Scotland. 

“It’s all match play and public golf,” Campbell, 20, describes golf in his home country. 

Admittedly, Rory and his friend Fraser Johnston are just learning the intricacies of American golf, which is the very point of why they are at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in the first place. Campbell and Johnston — who are both studying professional golf management at University of the Highlands and Islands near famed Royal Dornoch — arrived together in May as interns in Bandon Dunes’ professional golf management internship program.

It has been a whirlwind: Beginning when they received their visas in May and four days later boarded a flight from Glasgow to Eugene, Ore. — via Philadelphia and San Francisco, and then rerouted thanks to a delay, through Seattle. But the experience has been as enriching as it has been eye-opening, they both say. 

One thing, though, has truly baffled them — Americans’ preference for stroke play. 

“Match play is just far more inclusive,” explains the 21-year-old Johnston. “If you have a buddy who is just taking up golf, you can play against him in a competitive match. In stroke play, it wouldn’t be competitive at all. Match play is HUGE for keeping interested in the game. I don’t want to go out and shoot 120.”

“More people here go out and have to take a ‘9’ and actually have to hit all the shots,” Campbell adds. “But if I lose a hole in match play, I just go on to the next hole. Even when I play with my dad on a weekend game, we play match play. It was always more competitive and inclusive that way.”

As competitive golfers at their university — which in Scotland is more akin to a college club program than the more formal NCAA-sanctioned athletic programs in the U.S. — Campbell and Johnston know their way around a match. But neither are at Bandon Dunes or university to sharpen their playing skills.

Both are preparing for a career in golf — Rory as a club professional and Fraser with an eye toward golf course design. And they are at Bandon Dunes to soak up everything they can about resort golf in the United States at a place much larger in scale than anything they would find back home. 

“I realized I wasn’t a good enough player to play professionally, so I went to Royal Dornoch and joined the golf management program,” Campbell says.

The seed of golf was planted early. Johnston grew up in the small inland town of Paisley, not far from Glasgow. Campbell was raised in the self-described “wee village of Inveraray,” about 60 miles northwest of Paisley. 

Their introduction to golf as young children might not be what Americans would envision for a young Scotsman. Both grew up playing tiny parkland-style courses that would often be bogged down by the moisture of the climate. 

It wouldn’t be until they began to compete as they got older that they began to immerse themselves in the links game that was born in the cradle of golf. 

“Even growing up it was links golf over parkland. I always hit a low ball flight and I loved the chance,” Johnston says. “The ball is never dead until it stops. You can hit a good shot and it ends up in a bunker. I like that feel game instead of just hitting a 152 yard shot and it lands 152. I enjoy the guesswork.”

As their roots grew deeper, they became more intrigued by the golf business as a career. Those interests would become easier to pursue when the university in Dornoch launched the first PGM program in Scotland. 

The golf industry in Scotland is different than the U.S. Golf tends to be public and easily accessible, the resorts that are there tend to be smaller than their U.S. counterparts.

They had already come to know Bandon Dunes by reputation. Then they became more familiar through the process of Mr. Keiser and his partners in trying to open Coul Links, a proposed links course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in the northern section of Scotland. Impressed with a Coul Links presentation by Coore, Campbell, and Johnston also became intrigued by Bandon Dunes. 

Still, the Oregon Coast was an ocean and a continent away. 

“We talked about Bandon Dunes in class as an example of one of the top resorts,” Campbell says. “Then our lecturers went to the PGA Merchandise Show in Florida and met a contact at Penn State’s PGM program who told them about Bandon Dunes’ internship program. That helped open the door to the idea.”

Though they had worked at Royal Dornoch, for two budding golf professionals the opportunity to work at a golf resort the size of Bandon Dunes was irresistible.

“I’ve never worked anywhere with the scale of this,” Johnston says. “Clubs back home you have your golf pro, you have your secretary. You don’t even have a caddy master. But here you have a caddy department. You have a management department. You have golf professionals and a retail department. It’s just a massive, massive operation, and something that I hadn’t experienced ever.”

They were eventually awarded positions in Bandon Dunes’ internship program, which typically includes a little more than a dozen interns at a given time. Even a laborious visa process couldn’t stop them.

They arrived in May and the experience so far has been a combination of hard work, rigorous education, and a fair amount of fun on the course, usually playing once or twice a week. (Though not much travel, since neither has a car).

“The golf and people have been great,” Johnston says. “There are different quarks in the culture, but I’m sure people think we have different quarks in our culture. We drive on the wrong side of the road … things like that.”

What other quarks?

“Anything from language, to food, to driving,” he adds. “There are different ways to say things, different ways to do things.”

The pace of play in the U.S. seems a bit less a priority, too.

“Back home you get your foursome, you go out and play in less than four hours, you pick up if you’re making double bogey, you’d get around … then drink after and talk about it,” says Johnston.

“And you’d play match play,” Campbell interjects.

The golf business is different, too. 

Rotating every three months, Campbell got his start in the ever-busy Bandon Dunes golf shop before moving to Bandon Trails. Johnston started at Old Macdonald and is now in the Bandon Dunes shop.

And a few things have struck them, including how Bandon Dunes treats its guests and the service Bandonistas have come to expect.

I have in-depth conversations with guests multiple times a day," Campbell says. "Conversations about links golf, what it is like working here. Bandon's guests seem really excited to know more about the resort and a lot of Americans are really interested in what it’s like compared to back home.”

They also find familiarity in the links golf. Bandon Dunes, the favorite of Campbell, is exhilarating, he says. Old Macdonald, the favorite of Johnston, plays particularly close to the Scottish links he finds at home.

“I’ve not been bored on it yet,” he says of Old Mac. “I’ve not played the same round yet, and I don’t think I will. I don’t lose balls. And I’m usually good at keeping the ball on the ground rather than the air. Yeah, I like Old Mac.”

Campbell's parents visited recently, which afforded them both a chance to see more of Oregon and beyond. So far the experience has been rewarding enough that they are both considering the possibilities of extending their stays in the U.S., or if not, returning someday soon.

“So far it’s been great,” Johnston says. “We're lucky to be here learning and I don’t have a bad word to say.”

STAFF FEATURE: INTERVIEW WITH LOUIS FRANYI

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The raw beauty of the Southern Oregon Coast attracts a number of talented artists. As golf enthusiasts, we all fall in love with the design and aesthetics of the courses but the natural beauty of the surrounding area completes the canvas. For those who call Bandon home, it is undeniable that we all have a deep connection with this virtue of the coast.  

Louis Franyi, one of our long time rangers fell in love with Bandon back in May, 2007. While he spends most of his time helping our guests and caddies climb to the picturesque 14th tee on Bandon Trails, Louis also has a passion for photography and has an excellent eye for catching some of the South Coast’s natural beauty. Check out our interview with him as well as some of his work below.

Photography by L.E. Franyi

Foliage Along Bandon Trails No. 13

Moth on a Rhodie Flower 

Peeling Madrone Tree

Wild Flowers

October Sunsets

The Trails

Spring at Bandon Trails

Bandon Trails No. 7

Thanks for sharing your passion with us, Lou! You are a great example of what makes working and experiencing Bandon Dunes incredibly special. Keep up the great work!

Update (11/6): We received the sad news that Louis “Lou” Franyi has passed away. Lou joined our team in May of 2007 and will be remembered for his warm smile, light-hearted personality and his love for his friends, family, and community.

Lou was a long time staffer of Bandon Dunes. He worked as a ranger for over 11 years and was well known as the tram driver, helping our guests and caddies climb to the 14th tee on Bandon Trails. Lou had a passion for the Southern Coast, photography, and people. His warm personality and friendly demeanor made him a joy to be around. He will be greatly missed by the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort team and our guests.

He will definitely be missed but never forgotten.

 

STAFF FEATURE: BILLY THE DOG

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We recently shadowed one of our favorite four legged colleagues to get a unique look at the Pacific Dunes agronomy operation and what makes being the Superintendent's best friend such a pivotal role. At first look, you might assume the position our newest employee feature holds is quite the cushy spot. When we finally got him to sit down with us (yes, it took treats), Billy begged to differ and brought along his official job description to back him up.

Position Title:
Course Dog | Superintendent’s Best Friend

Job Location:
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Agronomy Department

Reports To:
Marcus Lakey, Assistant Superintendent of Pacific Dunes 

Facility Description:

Pacific Dunes is located just minutes from the quaint town of Bandon by the Sea on the southern coast of Oregon. Designed by Tom Doak, opened in 2001, Pacific Dunes is consistently ranked one of the top-3 public courses in the country. In addition to the world class golf, there is a newly created putting course called the Punchbowl, patterned after the Himalayas putting course at St. Andrews. The clubhouse features a top-100 golf shop as well as the Pacific Grill, a full service restaurant and bar with patio. 

Position Summary:

In this position, you’ll oversee the day to day agronomy activities, working closely with the Assistant Superintendent, as well as other key personnel in the Agronomy Department. As a liaison between the Agronomy staff and the Golf Operation staff, you’ll communicate with various department heads, as well as greenskeepers, to ensure a smooth operation. Only when consulted, your animal expertise will be called upon to resolve any bird (specifically Canadian Geese) or other animal conflicts/issues as needed.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Monitor the general activities and driving standards of the agronomy team in the morning as they arrive, as well as when they come back in for lunch.
  • By standing directly in the middle of the doorway, manage the flow of greenskeepers as they move around the lunchroom on a daily / weekly / monthly basis.
  • Analyze body language for both the prospects of possible food items and the potential for a belly rub on a routine basis.
  • Prepare warm sandy spots against various Agronomy buildings to lay down on during sunny afternoons.
  • Approval of various projects by wagging your tail, hanging out your tongue, and by generally inspecting all activities.
  • Assist with the overseeing of general golf course maintenance by riding in a cart, sitting still and avoiding playtime in the sand bunkers.
  • Boost employee moral by not biting or growling and the occasional demonstration of skills, such as balancing biscuits on nose, running wildly around in circles for personal reasons, and returning various items thrown or kicked by staff in random directions.

Qualifications:

  • 1-3 years of companion puppy experience.
  • Outstanding communication skills not required, but encouraged.
  • Demonstrated proficiency sitting, riding in carts, and laying on the floor.
  • Helps to have persuasive techniques with department managers to test food items either left carelessly on the floor or placed directly into your mouth at anytime throughout the day. 
  • Advanced proficiency riding in the front passenger seat of a maintenance vehicle preferred.
  • Ability to ignore problems, multitasking, and basically any kind of work in general is required.
  • Must be able to turn around in a circle three times before lying down and sleep unattended for long periods of time.  

 

 

STAFF FEATURE: INTERVIEW WITH GRANT ROGERS

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For fifteen years Grant Rogers has been sharing his golf wisdom with guests and fellow employees as the Director of Instruction here at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

If you're lucky enough to know him, or to have taken a lesson from him, then you are familiar with his epic stories and his zen like approach to the game. Golf, much like Grant, must be experienced to be fully enjoyed. Experience is at the heart of what makes Grant such a great instructor. Like the Tao Te Ching, what he says sometimes might seem obvious on the surface, but if you listen closely he's speaking to the larger picture of things.

Recently, we sat down with Grant to pick his brain and to glean some insight into how he approaches the game. The following video is a snippet of our larger conversation. We hope you enjoy it.

Watch our in-person interview with Grant Rogers below or on our Vimeo account. You can also visit our  Instruction">Instruction Page for instruction details and more videos from Grant. 

Read the extended interview below and please share your Grant stories with us in the comment section!

So Grant, how long have you lived in Bandon?

I've lived in Bandon almost 15 years. The time has really gone fast. I can't believe I've been here 15 years but someone told me that yes I have. *Laughs

I've been here 6 years and it seems like only a few days have gone by.

I know it. What is the deal with that?

I don't know why that is.

I do. Someone told me when I was little that time accelerates as you get older. I said, "No it doesn't. Time is a constant!" So, I was convinced I was right. Then as I got a little older I became convinced he was right. I do think it accelerates. *Laughs

So Grant, what's your "Bandon Story?" How did you discover the resort?

I do have a Bandon story. I'm glad you asked that question. My Bandon story starts at Royal St. George's Golf Club in England. Somehow I ended up there and as soon as I played that golf course my whole attitude about golf changed. I realized this style of golf I really like to play the best.

Links golf? 

Yeah, links golf. I had never really played golf like that before and then instead of coming home I decided to play more golf like that in Scotland. So then I kind of vanished in Scotland for a while. But, when I got back to the United States I started realizing that I was constantly scheming on different ways to get back to Europe to play golf. I was pretty successful because I was able to go there 20 different times to play golf. So that's when I got really hooked on links golf. As soon as I discovered that they were building Bandon Dunes I came over and took a look at what they were doing. At that time they were just building the fifth hole at Bandon and they were really excited to have someone to show the golf course to. Which was basically just the fifth hole. I took one look at that golf hole and thought, "This is going to be a fantastic golf course, just like those courses I used to play in Europe."

No. 5 on Bandon Dunes is a beast!

Yes. One of my favorite holes on property!

Do you like it because it plays so differently from day to day? You could play it in a north breeze, south breeze and benign day and have a different experience each time.

That's true. Something is different every time you play it, usually it's the elements. The great thing about playing Bandon Dunes golf is the wind. I think it's the X factor. You never know exactly what's going to happen wind-wise. I've been sending notes to people I give lessons to, telling them, "I'm pretty excited that the northwest wind is back." It really does add a lot of interest to golf in the summer here.

Aside from being aware of the wind and such, what do you think is the secret to a low score on our links courses? 

You have to know when to play offence and defense. Sometimes it makes sense to go for the green, for example, and sometimes it makes sense not to go for the green. It's almost kind of irresistible [to go for the green] because there it is, and if you hit your best shot you're going to get on the green and maybe a birdie putt, right? And then all of a sudden, people are really surprised that the ball didn't go where they aimed, they ended up in a sand dune and they made a 10. So they may have been better off hitting a 7-iron, getting on the green that way, and then 1 or 2-putt to get a par or a bogey. So, you just have to take your time and look at what makes the most sense. The greens here are really well guarded, for one thing, especially against long shots. And that's what gets the more agressive, low-handicap player in trouble because they are pretty aggressive here when they don't need to be.

Do you have any nicknames?

Well, lately people have been calling me "The Wizard" because of The Wizard of Bandon Dunes article that appeared in Golf Digest. If you haven't read it there are a few stories people might enjoy if they read it. The other day someone was kind of teasing me about that nickname and I told them, "Be careful, as a wizard I can make you disappear!" *Laughs. He hasn't called me the Wizard lately.

 

How do people sign up for links instructions?

We do have a page on our website that has all the information about what we offer. Basically we can help people with anything related to their golf game. Our Practice Center is the best. So, it's unlimited in terms of what we can do to help people with their golf shots or with their golf game in general. Then of course we give lessons out on the courses because a lot of times people will tell me, "Great you have me hitting the ball really well on the range but I can never do this on the golf course." So then we suggest to go out there together because sometimes they just need a guide out there to be with and help them out with a little more about strategy and maybe a little bit about how to putt well out on the golf course. That makes a big difference because it has a lot to do with scoring.

What's the most common question a student will ask you?

A lot of people here at the resort are intrigued and want to know more about links golf. They also want to know what's different about links golf and how do they play their best golf here in Bandon. Links lessons are really popular. We give those to small or big groups where we talk about specific links shots, how to play in the wind, how to survive in the bunkers, and how to putt well. If they can learn a little bit in each area they're going to play better, for sure.

How can individual lessons be different than links lessons?

A lot of times their swing problems are pretty simple to fix. It's not like a band-aid lesson, it's more like, "This is how you fix this problem." I have a lot of people try to tell me, "It can't be that easy" and I tell them to hit another one. Then they hit another good golf shot because what ever they have been trying to do has been way to complicated. Golfers have trouble doing something that's really complicated with a golf club in their hands. It just doesn't work.

I've heard that too. It's best to simplify, right?

Yeah, this idea of "less-is-more" is actually true. You can't be thinking about 19,000 things. It just doesn't work.

Do you think there is an ideal swing?

That's a really good question. There is an ideal swing actually... it's the one that works best for you. That's where an instructor has to figure that out, "Okay, what swing will work best for you?" A lot of times people have natural swings too. We've done some interesting experiments with swinging a golf club and filming it. It's amazing how good their swing really is. If you introduce a golf ball who knows what they're going to do. They put it in a different mode. They go from swinging a golf club mode, to hitting a golf ball mode. It's really different. Sometimes I'll have to tell people how good their practice swing really is and that they should sneak up to the golf ball and really use it. *Laughs. Because if they do, they hit this really good golf shot, ya know?

Do you have consistencies you look for from address through the swing that you like to follow?

Yeah, I do. A lot of times when someone is waiting for me at the Practice Center for a lesson and as I'm walking up to them I see their swing from a distance, before I even talk to them I know the problem with their swing. Just watching them take a few swings I can tell a couple of the things that they're doing that are really good, but we have to add a few things to it to make it really good. If the rhythm and balance is good for a golfer, they're gonna have a better chance of hitting a good golf shot. That's for sure. So a lot of times if they have a problem it's related to one or more of those areas. So my focus becomes, let's get the balance right, now let's get the rhythm right then we'll see what happens. A lot of the time the results are really good.

What are your thoughts about luck? What do you think about the saying, "luck is just preparation meeting opportunity?"

Well... sometimes it is just luck too. Sometimes you just get lucky. That golf ball could've gone in the water but it didn't or the ball could've gone out of bounds but it didn't. Or you went in the bunker but had this perfect lie, then all of a sudden a putt went in that you thought you missed. Luck is on your side sometimes. Luck is definitely a factor in links golf. So if you're playing your best golf on any of our golf courses you're having a lucky day. The reason I'm saying that is once your golf ball leaves the club then you have zero influence on that golf ball. So then, that's where the luck comes in. If you want to find out if you're a lucky person or not, just hit a golf ball somewhere and you'll find out.

*Laughs. That's a pretty good line to start wrapping up. Anything parting thoughts you'd like to add?

 I think that anyone who's interested in golf is interested in playing a little better. They want to know more about their potential. I know I've had some really good golf lessons myself. I think golf lessons can be very valuable. So, I would encourage anyone that wants to get better to get together and come out and see us. We'll do our best to help you.

I haven't seen a problem that someone has had with a golf club that can't be fixed. Sometimes they have to be a bit more patient and have a little more sense of humor about the whole situation but they can definitely get better. I just encourage all golfers to get some help if they need it and just enjoy whatever is going on. Be glad you're on the golf course.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is really an amazing experience. And it really is amazing every day.

--

ICYMI: Don't forget to check out our Employee Feature on Bob "Shoe" Gaspar from early 2015!

STAFF FEATURE: INTERVIEW WITH "SHOE"

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If you've ever had the good fortune of visiting Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, no doubt you've likely shaken hands with one of Bandon Dunes' icons in front of the lodge. His smiling face and laid-back charm are not easy to forget, but did you know his name is Bob? Chances are you remember him by the nickname, Shoe.  

Well if you are wondering how he was officially tagged "Shoe" or what his secret is to great customer service you are in luck.  We pried him away from the podium for a few minutes to get an inside scoop. 

So Shoe, tell us how you got your nickname.

Before the resort opened in 1998, a friend of Josh Lesnik was covering the PGA Championship in Washington. Josh invited his friend (Jeff Rude) down here to tour the new facilities and when he showed up he brought along some of his friends from Golfweek magazine including his editor, Dave Seanor. When Dave and the rest of the crew exited the van, he took one look at me and said I looked like the jockey, Bill Shoemaker. Dave said, "We'll just have to start calling you Shoe". I didn't think it would catch on but, Josh affectionately kept calling me Shoe every time he needed something or wanted me to go somewhere with him, like to lunch. You get the idea.

Hard to imagine that was almost twenty years ago already. Have you lived in Bandon a long time?

Faith, my wife and I moved to Bandon in July of 1980.

What did you do before coming to Bandon Dunes?

I was a driver for UPS in the Los Angeles area for twenty years prior to moving to Bandon. Then I worked as a driver and manager for Silver Eagle, a small regional freight carrier, for sixteen years. I semi-retired in 1997 with a combined thirty-six years as a teamster. I also belonged to the United States Coast Guard reserves in Charleston for eighteen years. That plus my six years in the Army allowed me to retire in 2001 with 24 years combined military service.

Wow.  LA to Bandon in the 80's must have been quite the culture shock. Thank you for your service, by the way. How did you ever get involved with Bandon Dunes in the first place? Is it true that you took the very first reservation for golf at the resort?

(Hear Shoe tell in his own words how he became a member of the Bandon Dunes crew and other anecdotes in the "Bonus" content audio portion below)

I did take the first reservation. It was Greg Popma from Portland. I was so excited and couldn't wait to tell Josh. Josh's reply was a classic. With a twinkle in his eye, he jokingly said, "Shoe, we're going to need a lot more than one."

We've had more than one alright. I think the secret's out. I know Josh would agree Bandon Dunes' success, apart from the world class golf experience, is due in no small part to the world class hospitality and customer service provided by you and others. What do you think is the secret to great customer service?

There's no secret to great customer service. Just make the guests feel welcomed and at home. Be helpful and friendly and above all be sincere, and genuine.  Josh told me long ago to try and see things from the guest's perspective and that has really worked.

Sounds like great advice not only for great customer service but for life. You must get asked a lot of the same questions, especially about the weather.

The day we opened, our first guest stepped out of the door and asked, "what's the weather going to be like today?"

I'm sure it's been the same ever since. You have your own Twitter account now, @GolfShoeBandon where you tweet out the latest weather situation and give it a ranking. It's very interesting and informative. You've adapted to the new technology quite well. Do you see yourself as a kind of weather man now?

Twitter is new to me and I'm trying. I've received some positive feedback, but there's always room for improvement. Ever since my first day, I have been very interested in the weather and the role it plays with the guests. If I had more time and energy I would go back to school and study Earth Sciences.

(Follow Shoe on Twitter below)

If only we had more time and energy. I hear you there. That's interesting about studying Earth Science. Who would you say the most interesting person is you've welcomed to the Resort?

That's an easy one. The most interesting person I've ever welcomed to the resort is the next one.

Don't forget to check out Shoe's Weather Report via Twitter:

Check out the audio portion on our Soundcloud

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