UPDATED: Interview with Wood Sabold, Bandon Dunes' official photographer

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(Wood Sabold's first Bandon Dunes photo taken in Nov. 1998 - Bandon Dunes No. 12)

BANDON, Ore. – The Bandon Dunes coffee table book is the next best thing to being here. It displays photos of every hole on the resort in stunning detail – 85 of golf's most alluring, mysterious, almost mythic holes. Every photo in the book was taken by Wood Sabold, Bandon Dunes' renowned official photographer with nearly 15 years’ experience taking photos at the resort.

Recently, we had the opportunity to talk with Sabold about his experience, his history with the resort, and a little about the new book.

Tell us a little about your history with the resort. How did you become the Official Photographer?

I was in the right place at the right time with the right credentials. Before groundbreaking I had an interview with the late Howard McKee, the resort architect, planner and good friend of [Bandon Dunes owner and founder] Mike Keiser. They were looking for someone to document the construction progress of the first course. I photographed the progress of the course as well as helped oversee the landscaping of the Lodge and Lily Pond units (I also had experience as a landscape architect). When it came time take the beauty shots of Bandon Dunes another photographer was chosen much to my dismay. As time went on I gradually proved myself capable of taking course beauty shots and was given the opportunity to take the promotion shots of Pacific Dunes. That was the beginning as ‘official photographer’ and I have been at it ever since.

Describe the first photo you remember taking for the resort. Is it in the book?

The first hole completed was Bandon No. 12. It was some time around Thanksgiving when I received a call from Mike Keiser asking me to get a photo of the hole ASAP for a printed resort announcement card. I was nervous because I wasn’t sure that the weather would cooperate. I was lucky and got a great shot of the hole with the surf behind. The image is not in the book because the hole was still a little rough without green definition and a cup (Pictured above).

Do you have a favorite hole to photograph at Bandon Dunes? Is it also your favorite hole to play?

This may come as no surprise but the 11th hole of Pacific Dunes is both my favorite hole to photograph and play. I love short holes both to play and photograph. There are views of this hole from the front, side and rear in the book.

I know fall is particularly beautiful on the Oregon Coast. Do you have a favorite time of year to shoot the resort?

I prefer the spring and fall because the angle of the sun is lower and the light is more flattering for landscape photography. The weather is also more dramatic during these seasons with more interesting skies and clouds. Late winter and early spring are also best for the gorse bloom.

Any funny/crazy stories from your photoshoots on the resort?

One of the most pleasant stories took place when I had the right clouds and light angle for a great shot of No. 16 at the Bandon Dunes course. I was waiting for the right moment when the clouds would open and the sun would hit the hole when I saw someone walking toward me and I thought someone was coming to ask what I was doing. This happens often and I always feel bad that I can’t concentrate on the shot and chat at the same time. It turned out to be Bill Coore taking a sunset stroll on David Kidd’s course. He is one of the very few people with which I would give up a shot to talk. As it turned out, we had a pleasant conversation and I got the shot. See the shot on page 60 in the book.

Top 5 favorite images from the book?

I am going to pick one photo from each course.

  • Bandon Dunes No. 15 (page 59), for its simple graphic quality.
  • Pacific Dunes No. 11 (page 85), for the golden light and softness of the surf.
  • Bandon Trails No. 2 (pages 106-107), because of the transition from dunes to meadow/forest. Also, No. 14 for the pleasing combination of meadow and forest.
  • Old Macdonald No. 14 (pages 168-169), for a feel of the lay of the land including six flags (Nos. 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 and No. 14 on Pacific).
  • Bandon Preserve No. 11 (pages 200-201), for the subtle, pastel look of the course, ocean and sky before sunrise. It feels like you are truly alone with the course.

When you plan a photoshoot for Bandon Dunes what's your process?

I am fortunate to live close to the resort so a lot of my shooting is spontaneous but based loosely on which holes will show best with the angle of the sun, the weather, and the direction and speed of the wind. The wind may not seem important but taking photos with the flag blowing directly toward or away from you don't show well. The toughest part of planning is running my mind through the 85 holes and the above factors and predicting which holes will be most productive. When I finally get to the course it is not uncommon for me to change plans. In traveling to my planned destination, something else might catch my eye and I throw my original plans away. This is part of the spontaneity which I never ignore.

What was the genesis of the book? Why now?

From the time Pacific Dunes was completed there were many requests for a coffee table-type book. Mike Keiser kept saying, ‘No’ but was probably thinking that the time was not right. Mike – and I don’t know how many others – knew there was much more to come. After the completion of Bandon Preserve, I think he finally thought the time had come.

Any other insight you’d like to share about the book or your photography experience?

I am most proud to have been trusted and supported by Mike Keiser and the resort management of Bandon Dunes for the fourteen years this project has taken. I am also proud that I feel I have produced a volume of work that positively reflects the melding of the natural beauty of the land with the great game of golf. This would not have been possible without Mike Keiser, the architects, and the construction and maintenance crews.

Check out the newly updated Bandon Dunes Coffee Table Book in which Wood's photography is highlighted along with other amazing golf photography. Click here or on the image below to view the book. 

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Click to visit Wood Sabold's Website

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.

 

Download Bandon Dunes Images For Your Desktop Background | 2015 Edition

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Happy Holidays from Bandon Dunes!

Last year, we gave our readers some medium-sized desktop background images taken throughout the year. We had a great response from multiple guests telling us how much they enjoyed them.

You spoke, and we listened!

Below there are 5 photos from our 2015 social media library that you are more than welcome to use at home. Feel free to download and use on your desktop computer, mobile device or even during your next trip planning session to Bandon! All we ask is that you do not attempt to professionally print or sell these images. Instead, we ask that you share with your friends, family and fellow Bandonistas!

To download images right + click on the image and select "Save Image As..." to download the background-image wallpaper to your local computer (or press + hold then Save on mobile, crop to desired vertical layout):

We'll even go a step further and supply you with twice the resolution! To download 3.8 megapixels of pure links golf click here to access our flickr album with the higher resolution images from above. Just click the download arrow and select the largest size.

Have a great holiday season and we hope to see in you 2016.

Our Favorite #GuestPic Instagram Photos of 2015

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When looking back at 2015, there’s no doubt about it, we enjoy all of the shared pictures from our fellow Bandonistas. If you follow our social channels at all, you know we often call out a #GuestPic when we come across a photo that must be shared with our fans.

While it is impossible to highlight everyone who captured a cherished moment at Bandon Dunes, here are 15 of our favorites from this past season.

Keep sharing your moments, checking-in on our social channels, and using hashtags like #BandonDunes, #PacificDunes, #BandonTrails, #OldMacdonald, #BandonPreserve and #ThePunchbowl on your next trip. You might just be the next featured photographer!

15) We LOVE those #LongShadows #BandonTrails

 

A photo posted by Peabadude Chowdah (@pibbs) on Dec 1, 2015 at 7:45pm PST

 

14) Puffin's-eye view #BandonDunes #Aerial

 

A photo posted by JetsetterGolf (@jetsettergolf) on Nov 18, 2015 at 6:39pm PST

 

13) Bandon Dunes #Caddies always have your back

 

A photo posted by CreweCup (@crewecup) on Dec 2, 2015 at 8:39am PST

 

12) Oops, we spilled our polaroids all over this table #PhotoCollage

 

A photo posted by Eric Malusky (@bigesmallz) on Nov 27, 2015 at 6:19pm PST

 

11) We never grow tired of seeing smiling faces at #BandonDunes

 

A photo posted by Bill Hogan (@wideworldofgolf) on Nov 4, 2015 at 5:24am PST

 

10) Jump for joy at #BandonTrails

 

A photo posted by Justin (@deezputts) on Oct 10, 2015 at 1:05pm PDT

 

9) When the phrase #LikeFatherLikeSon is a really good thing

 

A photo posted by Baby Jammerz (@jcygnusx1) on Oct 12, 2015 at 6:28pm PDT

 

8) The kind of photo that makes you want to stop what you're doing and head to #BandonPreserve

 

A photo posted by Eric Zastrow (@photobyeasy) on Nov 23, 2015 at 4:05am PST

 

7) After walking 18, 36 or 54+ it's time to decompress by the #FirePit and enjoy the #19thHole

 

A photo posted by Hubrissss (@hubrissss) on Aug 1, 2015 at 9:05pm PDT

 

6) Ahh, those reflective Bandon #sunsets #BandonPreserve

 

A photo posted by Sim (@acsimcox) on Sep 18, 2015 at 8:14pm PDT

 

5) One. Two. Three.... Smile! #EpicSelfie

 

A photo posted by T r i l l i u m R o s e (@trillgolf) on Aug 20, 2015 at 9:22pm PDT

 

4) Just a couple of signs that you're on #OldMacdonald 

 

A photo posted by GolfChops.com (@golfchops) on Oct 20, 2015 at 8:07pm PDT

 

3) #MakingPutts all day long

 

A photo posted by @carrforthecourse on Oct 9, 2015 at 3:31pm PDT

 

2) #Timing is everything! #BandonDunes

 

A photo posted by Dan Mirocha (@danmirocha) on Feb 20, 2015 at 7:44pm PST

 

1) The best part of any Instagram photo at Bandon Dunes are the #CapturedMoments you take home, like this one on #OldMacdonald

 

A photo posted by Colin Tucker (@ctuckgolf) on Jun 22, 2015 at 11:18pm PDT

 

Feeling inspired? Check out more tresured moments on our very own Instagram account here. You may just see your photo with the hashtag #GuestPic very soon. We look forward to some great photos in 2016! 

DOWNLOAD BANDON DUNES IMAGES FOR YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND | 2014 EDITION

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Happy Holidays from Bandon Dunes Golf Resort! As a token of our appreciation we would like to offer you some digital backgrounds for your desktop computer or mobile device! 

Click on the image to open it in a new window/tab. Then right + click on the image and use "Save Image As..." to download the background-image wallpaper (press + hold for mobile):

wall paper

wall paper

wall paper

 *These images are for personal use only and may not be reprinted or resold without permission from Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. 

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