Monarch Dunes in Nipomo Opens

The newest course in the tri-counties area is Monarch Dunes, which opened for play in early 2006. I have played it several times since then and thoroughly enjoyed each experience. Monarch Dunes is reminiscent of Scottish Dunes-Highlands courses and is one of the best in San Luis Obispo County, right there with Hunter Ranch. This Damien Pascuzzo creation can be played anywhere from 4,700 yards back to 7,000 yards and is a par-71.

 

"We rolled the dice a little and created a Dunes style golf course rather than a parklands style” said Pascuzzo, who is a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate.

 

We played the course off the gold tees at 6,337 yards and with the undulation, dunes and firm greens it was quite a test. The course is cut out of a dense grove of eucalyptus trees covering 135 acres. The landscape compliments the Guadalupe Dunes, which can be seen from several holes. Monarch Dunes is located in the Nipomo area and is very close to the Black Lake and Cypress Ridge golf courses.

 

The temporary clubhouse area gives the player a look at two of the tougher holes on the course, number one and nine.  The first hole is a tough starter at 423 yards. This dogleg left par-4 is guarded by water to the left most of the way. The right side is protected by dunes on the right and bunkers through the fairway. A slight draw off the tee will work best, but most players are not going to cut off too much on the first shot of the day. Not a bad place for a “Breakfast Ball” or mulligan. The second shot must cross the water, which is well short of the green. The green features bunkers short left and is well undulated. Par is a very rewarding experience and we only had one amongst eight players. There are many good holes on this course, but Number eight is a par-3 that caught my eye. At 177 yards this par-3 plays all over water to a green that slopes severely back to front. There is a bailout to the left but as the green slopes right to left anything too safe will run farther away from the hole. The green sits on a hill amongst a grove of eucalyptus and is very picturesque. Number nine is a downhill dogleg right 432 yard par-4. Long hitters will have to hit three wood or less to avoid the water, which is on the left and then through the fairway. This is the same lake that we avoided on the first hole. Large bunkers guard the right side and over these there is again water. The second shot crosses the lake and must carry large dunes crusted bunkers front and left.

 

The back nine gets interesting right away with the 10th hole. This 420 yard par-4 plays uphill and into the wind. There are two fairways to pick but the narrow left option plays much shorter. The two fairways are divided by a series of dunes and large unforgiving bunkers guard the left side. The approach is guarded by a steep grassy hill short and left and large bunkers to the right. Numbers 13 and 14 are both strong par-4s guarded by dunes and eucalypus. Several of our players were reminded of the famed Bandon Dunes in this stretch. The 15th is a classic par-3 at 199 yards but can be stretched to 255 yards. There is a lake in the front and to the right, but it is well short of the green. Dunes guard the left and a shot over there will make par very unlikely. Again the dunes and eucalyptus trees frame the shot.

 

Monarch Dunes is a fair test and one that players of all abilities should enjoy. The bent grass greens are fairly firm. It can easily be walked and many of the holes do not have concrete cart paths that too often come into play. The property was perfect for golf. I only wish we had a course like this near Santa Barbara. The ill fated Dos Pueblos project would have been such a course. Monarch Dunes has an excellent range and several putting greens. There will soon be a nine hole par-3 course added and another 18 holes later on. Green fees are very reasonable at $49 weekday and $59 weekend. The master plan calls for 1,300 homes, a 500 room resort and a shopping center including a movie theater. For more information on Monarch Dunes visit www.monarchdunes.com or call 805-343-9459.