Hunter Ranch–Great Playing in Paso Robles Wine Country

Increasingly known as an emerging world-class wine growing region, Paso Robles is home to one extraordinary golf course: Hunter Ranch. Nestled in the rolling, vineyard-laden slopes of the eastern Santa Lucia Mountains, the “Ranch” is a beautifully maintained and enjoyable layout.

At 6,741 yards from the tips (par 72, slope 138), Hunter Ranch beguiles you with undulating fairways and medium to large bent-grass greens, enlivened with natural grasses, lakes, and scores of majestic century-old oak trees. What’s more, there are no homes surrounding the course here, just long, eye-candy vistas of the surrounding terrain. A few holes skirt near Highway 46, but otherwise you’ll find yourself pleasantly out on your own.

Fall is a wonderful time of year to visit, with sunny, warm (not hot) days, cool nights, and emerging brilliant fall color coming into the trees and vineyards.

It does help to have a little local knowledge if you want to score well here. Designed by Kenneth Hunter, Jr., and Mike McGinnis and opened in 1994, the course was built with little earth-moving activity, and several of the venerable oaks were left in the middle of the fairways, creating unexpected obstacles or narrow approaches that call for precision shot-making. Be advised you will have many uphill and downhill shots as you snake your way around. The greens are very fast and well-guarded by lots of generally plump bunkers. “Some greens are tiered, so be mindful of pin placement and strategic landing spots,” notes head pro Mike Bremer.

The easier front nine can be had if you can keep your ball, for the most part, long and straight; there are a few quirks to observe, however. The course opens with a 405-yard par 4 – a birdie op to be sure, but no sure thing if you can’t negotiate the narrow choke to the off-angle circular green. Hole #2 calls for a high fade from a peninsula tee box, then a solid approach; it’s the theme for most of first half. The exception is #7, a 586-yard par 5, presenting a severe dogleg left uphill with trees in play from tee to green.

After the turn the course is decidedly trickier, more a target course, with a large lake and rivulets of streams in play on most holes. Take hole #11, for instance, a 396-yard par 4: The small green is half-surrounded by water, making a nervy approach at best. Afternoon headwinds complicate things, adding one or two clubs of distance. If you’re short at all, you’re wet.

Hole #15 (528 yards, par 5) challenges you with a dogleg right veering at a boomerang angle around the lake, leaving you at least 200 yards to the green. Keep left, or else.

The 400-yard par 4 finishing hole is much like the opener, except the green here is severely sloped from right to left. It is also oil-spill slick, so get as close as possible to the flag on approach. An uphill putt, not properly stuck, could turn around and pass you on the way back down.

Course amenities include a well-stocked pro shop, all-grass driving range, practice bunker, and multiple chipping and putting greens. There’s also a complimentary three-hole, par-three course for guests. The stately “Australian Outback-style” clubhouse has a center grass courtyard and wide covered verandas where you can enjoy the drinks and meals prepared all day long in The Grille restaurant. The menus are extensive, from fresh ahi sashimi and crab cake appetizers to soups, salads, burgers, pasta, grilled salmon, and even prime rib.

Green fees range from $60 ($81 riding) on weekday mornings to $38 ($54 riding) at twilight; weekends run $79 ($100 riding) down to $48 ($64 riding) twilight. The course also offers stay-and-play packages in conjunction with several nearby hotels and inns. To learn more and make reservations, visit the web at hunterranchgolf.com or call (805) 237-7444.

Where to Stay in Paso

In the heart of downtown stands the historic Paso Robles Inn, with lush gardens, live Koi ponds, and 98 rooms from simple to sublime – consider a deluxe suite with a private spa tub fed by the natural mineral hot springs on the property (pasoroblesinn.com; (800) 676-1713).

There are many bed-and-breakfast inns, some affiliated with local wineries, such as Villa Toscana. Luxurious suites with oversize Jacuzzi tubs and elegant appointments overlook the vineyards of Martin & Weyrich Winery (myvillatoscana.com; (805) 238-5600).

If you’d rather be on the coast (about 30 miles west), try the serene Fog Catcher Inn in Cambria. Facing lovely Moonstone Beach, this charming Old English-style inn offers a fireplace in every room, outdoors pool and spa, and truly comfortable furnishings (fogcatcherinn.com; (800) 425-4121).

For help in choosing accommodations, download the Paso Robles Destination Guide on the web at pasorobleschamber.com.

Downtown Dining and Shopping

Paso Robles has a surprising variety of very fine restaurants sampling many cuisines. You’ll find beautifully prepared Country French dining at Bistro Laurent, terrific seasonal American Bistro fare at Artisan,

a deep and thoughtful Italian menu at Buona Tavola, and inventive early-California inspired dishes at Villa Creek (blackened buffalo rib-eye with sweet-potato fries, anyone?). Thai, sushi, BBQ, burgers, and much more are available as well, along with gourmet bakeries and cheese shops.

Paso’s walk-about downtown core is great for clothes shopping, jewelry and antiques. But don’t miss the fabulous Boot Barn on Spring Street, especially if you have ever longed for that just-right pair of handtooled cowboy boots or perfectly turned out sterling silver watch or belt buckle. After all, this is also cattle country, too.

The Wineries

It’s pretty simple, really: within hailing distance of Paso Robles, there are roughly 200 wineries and 70 tasting venues, from well known (Meridian) to fairly obscure (Midlife Crisis Winery). The region is known for producing big, robust Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more recently Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. Wine maps are everywhere, but you’d be wise to plan ahead. Visit the web at pasowine.com, or wineriesofpasorobles.com, which also has extensive information about lodging, events, agritourism, and numerous business links.

The Central Coast Golf Trail consists of six dynamic courses: Cypress Ridge, La Purisima, Monarch Dunes, Morro Bay, Sea Pines and (reviewed here this issue) Hunter Ranch in Paso Robles. The next several issues of Golf & Lifestyle will feature one of these courses in closer detail, plus give you a range of outstanding options for overnight stays, dining, shopping, and special events within close proximity. For more details about the Trail, see www.centralcoastgolftrail.com.