Among other things, Bandon Dunes extols the joy of walking, which is requisite on all five of its stunning courses. Still, even veterans of the sprawling Oregon-coast resort — which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year — might be surprised to learn that it also sports a foursome of walking trails.
At Bandon, it’s hard to pull oneself away from the golf, we know. But there is a must-walk here that has no place for clubs, balls, spikes or motor-mouthed caddies. Head east from The Lodge, wend your way through the woods and around Chrome Lake, and behold: The Labyrinth, Bandon’s totally unexpected but magical maze.
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Talk about thoughtful routing: This travertine marble path is intended for “walking meditation,” and if you have the sensation of being in church as you amble through it, there’s a good reason. The maze is a precise replica of one you’ll find on the floor of the magnificent Chartres Cathedral, not far from Paris.
The Labyrinth was built as a tribute, memorializing Howard McKee, a founder of Bandon Dunes and a friend of the resort’s owner, Mike Keiser. Forget that missed birdie putt and consider contemplating, at least for a moment, the beautiful ties that bind.
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