golf

with

purpose

Every time you play golf at Bandon Preserve and the new Shorty’s course, you’re giving back to the Oregon coast via the Bandon Dunes Charitable Fund.

I don’t know of any golf course developers building golf courses just to give away the proceeds. Mr. Keiser is a trailblazer.” That’s the perspective of Marie Simonds, Executive Director of the newly rechristened Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation. After all, she’s leading the charge in the consolidated philanthropic efforts of Bandon Dunes. And while Bandon Dunes’ founder Mike Keiser might be a trailblazer, his efforts to support environmental and community causes has been ongoing for almost as long as the resort has existed.

The results can be seen throughout the southern Oregon coast. There’s the Washed Ashore project, whose artists and volunteers use marine debris to create sculptures of ocean animals, thus calling attention to the problem of plastic pollution while simultaneously reducing it. Or the Coquille Watershed Association, which launched a program in 2019 to engage local students and teachers with hands-on activities that promote watershed awareness and preservation. These are just a couple of examples of important projects undertaken with the support of money raised through Bandon Dunes. And with the creation of the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation, that support is about to grow.

Golf and philanthropy often go hand in hand—think of that charity tournament you played in last summer or that fundraiser at your club. Playing golf is a privilege, though we may not always recognize it, and the innate desire of people to do good in this sport runs deep.