Winter 2010

Find the Perfect Storm
Oregon's coast comes alive in the winter months when
big storms blow in, bringing 50-mile-an-hour winds and
40-foot waves. There is no shame in spectating from the
comfort of the indoors. But, to ex-
storm watching perience the full force of the storms
rolling off the Pacific, put on a parka
Oregon Coast and head to a high ground. “I don't
recommend going right out on the beach,” says Pat Corcoran,
coastal hazards outreach specialist for Oregon State
University, citing sneaker waves, rip currents and fastmoving
debris as some of the biggest safety threats. With
hundreds of miles of public shoreline, however, the Oregon
Coast has no shortage of vantage points for soaking in a
storm. Here are some of Corcoran's favorites.
Fort Stevens State Park, near Astoria. A choice spot is the
observation deck at Parking Lot D. “It's good exposure, but
you're not tempted to walk out on the jetty,” says Corcoran.
Seaside Promenade, downtown Seaside. Mix storm watching
with boutique hopping on the historic promenade.
Ecola State Park, north of Cannon Beach. The park offers
several viewpoints along nine miles of rocky shoreline.
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City: Feel the maelstrom
of gusting winds swirling around Cape Kiwanda, then head
inside for a pint of The Perfect Storm.
Devil's Punchbowl, north of Newport: The main attraction
at this two-acre state park is a bowl-shaped
rock formation where water swirls and sprays.
Cape Blanco, north of Port Orford. Oregon's
western-most point is ideal for watching the
waves crash into shore. Be sure to check out
the historic lighthouse.
Brave the Winter Greens
If the $220 summer green fee at Bandon Dunes (bandondunesgolf.com)
has kept you from playing one of its renowned linksstyle
courses, here's your chance. During the winter months,
you can play for less than half the price,
thanks to January and February green
fees of $75 and $90 respectively. While
the price goes down, the quality of play
doesn't. Winter weather is generally mild, and because the
courses are built on sand, they drain quickly when it rains.
“Winter golf here is a lot like what you'd get playing in Scotland,”
says the resort's head golf professional Jeff Simonds. Of
course, winter at the coast isn't always marked by wet weather.
Locals describe February as a secret summer, with sunny days
and balmy (relatively speaking) temperatures. “Some people
are actually disappointed if it's sunny,” says Simonds. Golf
isn't the only thing that gets discounted in the off season. Now
through the end of January, for example, you can book two
nights at the resort, two rounds of golf, two breakfasts and one
dinner for $370 per person based on double occupancy.
winter golf
Southern Coast
Winter Golf Tips
You might say that Grant Rogers is a foul-weather player. As far as the director
of instruction at Bandon Dunes is concerned, the wetter and the windier the
better. “It adds a whole new dimension to the game,” he says.
Here's how to get the most out of it.
Mentally prepare for all conditions. It might be rainy the first
hole and sunny the second
gloves to wear between shots
wipe your grips
Dress in layers, including warm
Pack plenty of dry towels to
Make sure your spikes are good and sharp
Adjust your expectations. A birdie on a sunny day may be par on
a rainy day. “Focus more on the experience and don't worry about
your score,” Rogers says.
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