David Kidd built the practice facility at Bandon Dunes. It didn't cost a million dollars like some of Fazio's teaching facilities, because like the golf courses it was all sand ... but a thirty-acre practice facility does not come cheap.
Actually, though, some of you who visited Bandon Dunes early in its life may recall that the original practice range was a small affair parallel to the ninth hole, which got worn out very quickly from the unexpected volume of play. And even THAT range would have been a golf hole instead, until midway through construction when David re-routed the front nine to use some of the land Mike Keiser had acquired for Pacific Dunes. Until then, Bandon Dunes would have had no practice facility at all, because David put the best golf holes first.
Tyler, you may be right that ranges roday are essential; all I'm telling you is that insisting that a huge range be convenient to the clubhouse undermines the quality of the golf course. Substantially!
It's no coincidence that Sand Hills and Pacific Dunes, which most people think turned out pretty well, chose not to build ranges next to their clubhouses. It's the same decision George Crump made!