and less fanfare around the Sheep Ranch opening, and strict COVID protocols enacted by the USGA and the state of Oregon for the U.S. Amateur. Both events went off without a hitch, however, adding more velocity to the roller coaster ride. The 2022 season is nearly 100 percent booked at Bandon Dunes, and the resort is starting to take reservations for 2023 this month. “We’re thrilled with the success we’ve had, and we’re still making adjustments to how we serve the customer and deal with the ongoing volatility of COVID-19 on reservations,” Simonds says. “We still see cancellations when cases spike in different parts of the country, but we’re fortunate to have waitlists and a fantastic reservations team.” As the PGA Director of Resort Operations for five 18 -hole courses, two par-3 courses and Punch-bowl putting course, Simonds says Bandon Dunes is facing the same pain points as other resort PGA Professionals he talks with. Those include labor shortages, unpredictable availability for construc-tion and course maintenance materials, and supply chain-related delays in shipping on retail orders. “Because people are seeing supply chain issues in their everyday lives, there’s a level of understanding and tolerance from guests when we don’t have a certain brand they’re looking for, or when we have to change something on a menu,” Simonds says. “A good example is the surge in interest for walking the golf course at other facilities. Walking has always been a part of the experience at Bandon 14.4 Percent increase in U.S. travel in 2022 over 2021, following a forecasted 33.4 percent increase in travel this year over 2020. Source: STR Dunes, but we needed to order more push carts with Sheep Ranch opening last year – and we’re still waiting on our order from seven months ago, like everyone else. So we move the carts we have around our courses, like a shell game, as they’re needed.” Another change that Simonds and his staff are navigating at Bandon Dunes is the makeup of the resort’s guests. As a “pure golf ” facility without a spa, pool, casino or other non-golf activities, the resort has long catered to groups that want golf, golf and more golf. With new golfers entering the game, Bandon Dunes and other resorts are now hosting customers who would prefer to combine golf with other outdoor pursuits. “There’s this elevated demand for outdoor recreation in general, and there’s great hiking trails, mountain biking and kayaking around us,” Simonds says. “So we’ve embraced that there are people coming here for many different reasons TRAVEL REPORTS BY REGION Arizona To lure back visitors, the state is setting aside $100 million-plus in federal funds for a new Visit Arizona initiative to support the recovery of the state’s tourism industry, including $60 million in grants — using federal American Rescue Plan funds earmarked for pandemic recovery. … Arcis Golf has acquired six courses in the Phoenix area, including daily-fee facilities McDowell Mountain Golf Club (Scottsdale), Ocotillo Golf Club (Chandler) and Palm Valley Golf Club (Goodyear). At The Boulders Resort & Spa in Carefree, golf remains strong. The resort is seeing an increase in play on its short course for players who don’t have time to play 18, and reports an increase of California visitors from Los Angeles/Orange County, as well as Texas. The Boulders is also seeing more bookings for golf instruction, so the facility’s golf academy added new programs, as well as a new caddie program through Caddiemaster that starts this month. … Vacation leads at TPC Scottsdale are up 98 percent in 2021, compared to 2019. Like The Boulders, most of the vacationers are coming from Texas and California. … At Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale, 2021 is a record year despite hotter-than-usual temperatures. The spring of 2021 was up 11 percent over the spring of 2020. Mountain Shadows is seeing more eight-to-20-person groups from out-of-town, including wedding parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties and couples trips. Its short course has been a popular option for these groups, because it’s easier for new golfers to participate and still interesting for experienced golfers. Troon is managing the Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club in Surprise ... (continued on page 76) 74 | November 2021 | www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007)