Hank Hickox preached his annual message of optimism for the South Coast economy Wednesday, with a boost from the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort where he is the general manager, during the weekly luncheon of the Independent Business Operators.

Hickox, who makes a presentation to the IBO each December, talked of prosperity at the resort in terms of a continual high level of play by people from across the country, a steady level of employment and several current construction projects.

“The 2008 outlook is very good,” Hickox added. “We have a very strong booking pace, with guaranteed deposits on 50 percent of our lodging.”

During the high season this year, from April to October, the resort employed about 550 workers and another 350 caddies, who are independent contractors. While many of the positions pay a minimum wage, many also come with tips averaging an additional $6 per hour.

Hickox noted that not all of the resort’s jobs are full-time positions, but that a lot of people choose to work on a part-time basis.

“Everyone contributes to the final product to the customers,” he said.

And there have been many customers.

Hickox said about 100,000 rounds of golf were played at Bandon Dunes in the past year, split fairly evenly between the resort’s three courses — Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails. The greatest concentration of golfers has come from the Los Angeles area, about 18 percent of the out-of-region players. But visitors have traveled from across the United States and from other countries, as well.

“Business continues to materialize on a national basis,” Hickox said. “The significance is that’s people from another place spending money here. It does help (the economy). It’s money coming from outside the region.”

Some guests have now come to Bandon Dunes 10 or more times, he said.

Meanwhile, the resort has become busier each year during the winter months. Though most of the golfers this time of year are from within the Northwest because of reduced rates, their impact has enabled the resort to continue employing about 400 workers, in addition to the 100 caddies still on the job.

Another sign of prosperity at Bandon Dunes is in the ongoing construction — three big projects currently and a fourth starting early next month.

A new inn, which will have 39 rooms and sleep up to 55, is being built near the main access road between Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails. A permanent clubhouse is going up at Pacific Dunes. Staff housing, including 68 new units, is under construction at property the resort owns on Seven Devils Road.

“Affordable housing is still hard to do for (some of) the people coming to work with us,” Hickox said.

Early next month, the first dirt will be moved for the resort’s fourth course, Old Macdonald, scheduled to open in 2010.

The inn and the new golf course eventually will employ an additional 100 people — 30 at the inn and 70 at the golf course, which will have its own clubhouse and maintenance staff.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Hickox said.

One other impact of the resort could help provide a big boost for the entire South Coast.

The new terminal at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend has, in part, been spurred by the increased number of airline passengers coming to the South Coast to play golf.

Hickox expressed optimism that with the new terminal, a deal can be worked for a new southbound carrier to begin offering flights from North Bend to San Francisco. He said the North Bend and Klamath Falls airports are trying to work out a deal for Sky West Airline to provide two southbound flights a day from each airport.

“The air terminal is the key to our continued growth,” Hickox said, adding that it could also provide cheaper air travel for South Coast residents.

Hickox also discussed the biggest highlight of the year at Bandon Dunes, the U.S. Mid-Amateur, the second United States Golf Association event at the resort, following last year’s Curtis Cup.

The event cost the resort about $600,000 to put on, but is a big marketing tool and also helps prove to USGA that the resort can host significant events.

“These events are the ramp-up for someday, hopefully, we’d like to have the U.S. Open,” Hickox said.

The earliest Bandon Dunes could be picked to host USGA’s signature event is at least eight to 10 years down the road, he said.

“It takes a long time to earn your stripes,” Hickox said.