Avila Beach Golf

 

As summer approaches local golfers start to think about traveling north to play some of the great layouts in less than a two hours drive. For a short stay Avila Bay is a great place to drop anchor and partake of the San Luis Obispo golf scene. The town of Avila Bay has undergone a remarkable renovation with all new children’s parks and buildings along the ocean front. The upscale Avila Lighthouse Suites is one of the new buildings located across from the ocean with about a 300 yard drive from the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

 

The Avila Beach Golf Resort is a course with lots of character. The clubhouse is located at the mouth of a tidal estuary with sweeping views of the Pacific and Avila Bay. The course was designed by Desmond Muirhead and has two very different nines. The front nine flows through an oak-lined canyon with a small creek running through the middle. The seventh hole is a classic dogleg left par four measuring 378 yards. The creek runs the length of the fairway at about 270 yards so big hitters beware. The approach shot is uphill and must carry a large deep bunker fronting the green. The green is severely pitched from front to back making an accurate second that’s much more important. The back nine is the more scenic of the two crossing the tidal estuary several times. The 10^th hole is a dramatic start at 430 yards and a par four. The tee shot must carry the estuary and avoid large palm trees on both sides. After a good hit off the tee the golfer is likely to face a long second shot into a small green. The 18^th is a scenic finishing hole. This 350 yard par four requires a 200 yard carry from the Blue Tees.

 

Normally into the wind it plays longer than the yardage as does much of the course. The course is very walk-able with most of the legwork occurring on the front nine. The Blue Tees play 6513 yards, White 6053, and Red 5041 yards. For more information, pleaser visit www.avilabeachresort.com , or call 1-805-595-4000.

 

There are plenty of choices for another round of golf nearby. In Nipomo just 20 minutes south you will find Monarch Dunes, Cypress Ridge and Black Lake. Hunter Ranch is about 35 minutes north while Morro Bay and Dairy Creek are about a 20 minute drive. If you can arrange it, San Louis Obispo Country Club is well worth the visit and only about 15 minutes inland from Pismo Beach.

 

The Avila Lighthouse Suites are brand new and feature a nautical theme. Many of the suites face the ocean just across the street. There is a large pool and Jacuzzi area as well as a giant chess board for family amusement. The new children’s park is not more than 50 yards away. Just up the street from the Avila Lighthouse is the retail area which has been completely renovated with new restaurants, markets and shops. We ate at The Custom House Restaurant and it was very delicious with seafood being the specialty.

 

Avila Beach is a very relaxing destination with a lot of character. Families with small children especially will enjoy the new amenities. For more info visit: www.avilalighthousesuites.com or call 805-627-1900.

 

 

Tom Kite Critical of USGA

Tom Kite, 1992 US Open Champion, has joined the growing ranks of accomplished players who are now openly critical of how the USGA is managing the game of golf. Kite along with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beaman are in favor of reigning in of golf ball and club technology which has allowed big hitters to gain 40-50 yards over the last several years. This past US Open was a glaring example of the problem with several players driving the ball almost 400 yards. In a recent edition of Golf Week’s Super News Kite says “If the manufacturers continue to run the game, I think the game is in for a long, tough road. The rule-making body [USGA] is not making the rules for the game. The manufacturers are, and their No. 1 goal is to sell products. The game has changed so dramatically the last 6-8 years. What’s happened is a joke. It’s mind-boggling, compared to how much change there was the last 100 years. Everything is based on speed. It’s not based on ball-striking. If you want a good game, you can go buy it.”

 

Jack Nicklaus has long advocated reigning in the golf ball by 15 to 25 yards. This would really only affect players with club-head speed of 110 MPH or greater. It is time for the USGA to act or the great majority of older courses in the US will be obsolete. In our area this is particularly true with The Alisal Ranch course maxing out at 6500 yards. The real answer is the so called “Silver Bullet” ball which would reign in the bombers without causing a loss of distance to the average player. If the manufacturers were forced to go in that direction I am sure they would find a way to make such a ball.