I read Fred Wolferman’s recent column “Golf for the Stout-Hearted” (July 13) with great interest, as my wife and I prepared to travel to Bandon Dunes to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. His fairly negative characterization of these highly regarded courses gave us cause for concern.

After playing each of the courses on consecutive days, I have concluded that his column should have been titled “Whine from Wine Country” instead. These are magnificent courses, challenging to every aspect of your game.

Even Wolferman’s dreaded long putts proved to be more whining. One in particular measured to 30 yards on my laser and ended just two inches from the hole for a tap-in par.

Golf is an outdoor game played in the wind, rain and less than perfect conditions.

The golf on the Bandon Dunes courses is only exceeded by the finest on and off-course customer service I have ever experienced, and the quality of the local pinot noir that paired so well with each meal.

As they say, golf as it was meant to be.

Bill Newman

Pinehurst