SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
SLO County for Wine and GolfWednesday, May 25, 2005Forget Napa Valley. Forget Sonoma Valley. If it is a wine and golf excursion you are looking for try the Central Coast of California -- some 120 miles of coastline loaded with quaint, friendly, seaside and inland towns and affordable golf.The wine business on the Central Coast dates back to 1797 when the first grapevines were planted at Mission San Miguel Archangel in San Luis Obispo. The golf business didn't arrive until the 20th century, but today this beautiful, rolling terrain, dotted with ancient oaks on the Pacific Ocean, is a popular getaway for wine tasting and golf. This is David R. Holland's introduction in an article written for TravelGolf.com. He goes on to highlight La Purisma Golf Course in Lompoc and San Luis Obispo County's own Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles and Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande. Hunter Ranch  There always seems to be an old oak in your way on Hunter Ranch, a 6,741-yard, par 72, in northern San Luis Obispo County's picturesque wine country. Designed by owner Ken Hunter and Mike McGinnis, the blue oaks are everywhere, and there's enough water and rolling terrain to keep the challenge noteworthy. Greens roll about 10 on the Stimp meter and countless bunkers surround them and confound you from the tee box.Hunter Ranch Golf Course No. 6 is a par 5 of 509 yards. From the tee you can't see much fairway, just problematic oaks, but over the top of them things open up and then right smack dab in the middle of the fairway are two other trees just on the pathway toward the green. The 415-yard par-4 12th requires a solid tee shot to the top of a hill where you eyeball the green. If you are far enough back you won't even see the trouble -- the putting surface is fronted by water. If you have hit it to the 150-yard marker you can play without even thinking about the wet stuff. Hunter Ranch's spacious clubhouse is rustic and reminiscent of the ranch houses in the Australian Outback. Here you can relax after your round in the Caddie's Grill while soaking in the panorama of the golf course and surrounding vineyards. Cypress Ridge  This Peter Jacobsen, Jim Hardy 6,803-yard, par 72, is set on a mesa not far from the Pacific Ocean with rolling terrain and plenty of challenges. The bunkers are huge and deep and tricky, subtle greens with hidden breaks might frustrate you.Mature cypress trees, fragrant eucalyptus, lush green fairways and cool fresh ocean air make Cypress Ridge a new gem on the Central Coast. Cypress Ridge "At Cypress Ridge we were given a great piece of property and our team allowed the land to be the hero, resulting in a natural, beautiful course," says Hardy, who is based in Houston. Jacobsen said he knew it was special once he reached No. 14 and had used every club in his bag. Cypress Ridge is certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary -- said to the 13th golf course in the world to receive this elite distinction and the first to be designated as a Silver Signature Sanctuary in the state of California. Fringe areas surrounding each hole are planted with native grasses, and there are wildflowers and ponds offering cover and food for wildlife. No. 16 is a beauty. This par 4 plays 418 yards uphill with a slight dogleg left to an elevated green fronted by a bunker. Huge cypress and eucalyptus trees line both sides of the fairway. Head down the hill on No. 17, another fun hole, a demanding par 3 of 201 yards. Read entire article here. On the road in California: Central Coast sprouting with wineries, affordable golf. TravelGolf.com, David R. Holland |
|
