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Cypress Ridge Golf Course Arroyo Grande (888) 781-4653 • cypressridge.com  The golf course design team of Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy sticks to a simple mantra for creating their works — make the layouts fun and playable for golfers of all skill levels while making the experience exciting and memorable.Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande certainly embodies those traits. Located about 10 minutes west of the 101 and 15 minutes southeast of Pismo Beach, the layout is a fitting complement to the surrounding region. Grandiose views of nearby sand dunes and coastal mountain ranges greet golfers at several of the elevated tee boxes, and, as the course name suggests, mature cypress tress line lush fairways. “We were given a great piece of property and our team allowed the land to be the hero, resulting in a natural, beautiful course,” Hardy said. The par-72, 6,803-yard track offers four sets of tees. Much of the challenge comes on approach shots, as almost all of the greens are surrounded by multiple bunkers. The signature par-5 18th is reachable in two at less than 500 yards, but a water hazard buttressing the front portion of the green requires players to carry their approaches all the way onto the putting surface. Even strategically placed sand traps make the lay-up shot more challenging than usual. Renowned as one of the top venues in San Luis Obispo County, Cypress Ridge was honored with 4.5 stars in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play.” The course offers specials on its website and has a pair of discount memberships programs — the 5 and 10 Play cards, which can help frequent players save significantly on green fees. Call the pro shop for other specials. Monarch Dunes Golf Club Nipomo (805) 343-9459 • monarchdunes.com  With the 18-hole Old Course and the 12-hole, par-3 Challenge Course, Monarch Dunes is a tribute to the origins and tradition of golf.The venue, managed by KemperSports, is located in the Woodland residential community just off the 101 and close to many of the incredible beaches on the Central Coast. Surrounded by windswept dunes and eucalyptus trees, coastal vistas and amber-colored hillsides, Monarch Dunes is reminiscent of Scotland’s links-style courses and an ideal option for those seeking a challenging yet amiable golf adventure. Both courses at the facility were crafted by the design team of Damian Pascuzzo and six-time PGA Tour winner Steve Pate. The Old Course boasts an array of stunning tests — the par-5 sixth hole is reachable in two but boasts a challenging green framed by towering trees, the risk-reward par-4 10th has a thought-provoking double fairway, and the fairway of the par-4 13th features a fescue-dotted bluff that brings strategy into play. “The moment you arrive on the property, your emotions are stirred,” Pascuzzo said. “Then, when you get on the course, the strategy and the beauty combine to make a fantastic experience.” With a similar ambiance as the Old Course, the Challenge Course is one of only a few 12-hole tracks in the United States and features holes ranging in length from 82 to 242 yards. Monarch Dunes has a full-service bar and restaurant, pro shop, three practice putting greens and a driving range. The facility can accommodate golf groups ranging in size from 16 to 160 players and has banquet space for up to 200 guests. Stay-and-play packages also are available. ALSO SEE: Courses to play on the way to Pebble Beach |
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