Find out why Bandon Dunes is the perfect host for American female amateurs in 2025
Golf Course Architect David McCray Kid One of America’s most iconic courses, Bandung Dunes is perfect for female amateurs in the US.
BANDUN, Oregon – Last Monday, Emilia (Miguriaccio) Doran woke up at 6am in Charlotte, North Carolina. She finished practice at 9:30pm in Bandon Dunes, Oregon.
Last week, saying Dolan is a whirlwind because it’s an understatement, isn’t over. She traveled around the country and worked as a course reporter for the Golf Channel, covering Utah Corn Ferry Tours, and arrived at the US women’s amateur the morning before Monday afternoon tee time. Currently she is one of 64 players and has the chance to wind up the Robert Cox Trophy on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean.
Dolan went on to play in the 2025 US women’s amateur play, finishing at 2 under after two rounds of stroke play. It comes right after one of her busiest week of the year, but it’s a lifestyle she’s become accustomed to in the last few months. Instead of wearing a Golf Channel headset on Wednesday and calling out the shots of the world’s best female amateur, Dolan picks up the club and competes.
“I know I can play good golf, and I know I can still be there despite not practicing every day,” Doran said.
Her path to a US woman’s AM match dates back to last year’s competition at Southern Hills. Doran went on to the second hole in the 20-10 playoffs, reaching 8-8. Miguriaccio, who plays in the first threesome, carded a triple bogey 6 and did not advance along with the play.
That week, Dolan flew late after working in the role of a reporter on the course and didn’t get a practice round in the famous Perry Maxwell layout in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It felt like she couldn’t play her game that week and could not compete for the level she knew she could.
I also had Dolan adjustment periods over the last few months, and I learned how to maintain a work-life balance. She had to figure out how and when she could practice on the road, making sure she was fully prepared for her on-course role on the golf channel.
“It was definitely an adjustment,” Doran said. “Last year, it felt strong about managing both and distinguishing myself from oneself to the next. I want to practice, but there’s a 3pm show so I have to get up at 7am and practice.
Dolan said he’s better at deciding when to bring the club onto the road and when he needs to stay home. However, years between American female amateurs still had a long wait.
In Pinehurst’s north and south amateur, she lost the 3-3 playoffs and failed to reach the 32 rounds.
This made the game at Bandon Dunes even more rewarding.
“I’ve had two experiences now, like ‘It’s okay.’ Bandung Dunes, we’re coming out here and we’re fired,” Doran said.
Dolan traveled to the Bandung Dunes last Monday to practice after competing in the 2022 Curtis Cup team in the final year of the exemption.
She managed to win several 18-hole practice rounds at Oak Ridge, Utah, where the Corn Ferry Tour event was held last year, while covering this year’s Championship. Her TV duties didn’t begin until the afternoon, so the mornings were reserved for practice and preparation.
She finished her TV mission on Sunday at 7pm, then Doran and her husband Charlie left Salt Lake City at 10:45pm, flew to Eugene, Oregon, and didn’t arrive at the hotel until 12:30am in the evening, so she woke up at 6:30am on Monday and spent two hours driving at 2pm. This week’s caddy, Charlie, had never seen the course before, so she walked all 18 holes to prepare for the afternoon.
“He loves to be here as much as he is here as he is,” Dolan said of Charlie. “He loves to watch me compete. He knows I feel every shot I’ve hit. We play a lot of golf together. He knows my numbers and things really well. As a caddy, he has a good golf IQ.
“That’s great, and it’s also great to get five hours to connect and appreciate what it means to be here.”
The 69 and 73 rounds have become the matchplay look on Bandon Dunes, but now I have to wait for the Golf Channel headset to return to my head.
Two years ago, Doran missed a cut at the US Women’s Open in Pebble Beach and called out the action at Monterey Penishra by Friday afternoon. This week, her focus will only be on the golf finishing play. The TV is waiting.
“When you play two rounds of stroke play, you have a chance to play match,” Dolan said. “It was really exciting.”
And anything happens when playing the game.
