Hunter Ranch Golf Course : Paso Robles, CA

Last month I promised an article on an amazing golf course and area to visit, and here it is. The golf course is Hunter Ranch and the city is Paso Robles in California. I love this area and enjoy visiting it a few times a year. I’ve been wanting to write about this area for some time now, but also wanted to wait until I had the opportunity to play Hunter Ranch located just outside downtown Paso Robles. This is one of the more picturesque golf courses I have played, and I believe the only 4 1/2 star course in the area. Finding only two images to use for this article was tough because I could have filled the entire page with amazing photos of Hunter Ranch.

For those not familiar with the area, Paso Robles is located about forty-five minutes north of San Luis Obispo. This area has gained popularity not only because of its beauty and weather, but because it is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wine lovers. It is very apparent that Paso Robles is the "Next Napa Valley" due to its stunning views of wine vineyards, wineries, and aging oak trees. Hunter Ranch has captured all of the beauty of the area by designing a course that boasts unforgettable views on almost every hole.

My playing partner and I had a tee time for 8:00 am, but Mother Nature greeted us with a December frost the night before. Upon arriving, we were told by the courteous staff that the course needed a short time to thaw. We had breakfast at the on-site restaurant as we waited, and the food and service was exceptional. Afterwards we warmed up on the driving range before our round. The driving range is all grass (no mats) and the chipping and putter area was perfectly manicured. As a matter of fact, the entire course was perfectly manicured. As we were warming up and putting before our round, I made a remark on how true the greens were and that there was no way the course greens could be that nice. On the contrary...the greens were fast, true, and in perfect condition. Although difficult at times, they were very fair.

We started our round on hole #10 because it has the first sun exposure to thaw the frost. The tee shot was elevated over the valley below and made for an exciting beginning to the round. After hole #10, we played the challenging #11, #12, and #13 holes. Later, when our round was over we were told those holes are known as their version of "Amen Corner," and with good reason. The holes were tough and challenging, especially for someone who has not played this course before. All three holes were par 4s, but what made them difficult was not being able to visualize the green from the tee.

As we made our way through the back nine, I was consistently in awe of the scenery of this course. It seems when we weren’t surrounded by majestic oak trees, we were looking at fields of vineyards back dropped by rolling hills. After making the turn at hole #18, we continued to hole #1. This tee shot is next to the clubhouse and has an elevated tee box looking out over the hole similar to hole #10. From there, hole #2 had a blind tee shot over a ridge with an elevated green. This green, like many others, has a slight to moderate undulating green, so reading the putts correctly is crucial considering how quick the greens are.

Hole #3 (pictured above) is a 197 yard par 3 with an elevated tee box. The view from this hole is just as amazing as the others, with the vineyard and hillsides in the background. As we wound through the rest of the front nine, we noticed the abundance of oak trees lining each of the holes similar the back nine. This course is not overly narrow like some of the upscale courses I have played in the past, but you definitely need to be on your game. Errant shots are sometimes playable depending on the hole, but accuracy will be rewarded due to regular blind tee shots and doglegs throughout the course.

As we finished our round, we were pleasantly surprised at the pace of play. Our round was relaxing and enjoyable. As we made our way to the clubhouse, we both remarked on how it has been a while since we have played such a nice course. The slight elevation changes on some holes kept the course interesting, and the scenery as I stated before was amazing. The greens were probably the nicest I have ever played, and the entire experience was unforgettable. Since there are quite a few blind tee shots and doglegs on the course, having some familiarity with the layout would help that much more in the enjoyment of the round. But that is why I want to visit this course again and again. I want to tackle the holes that challenged me because I know how to attack them now. I highly recommend playing at Hunter Ranch when you visit Paso Robles. You will enjoy an amazing round of golf in this wonderful city and community.

Speaking of city and community, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer place to live or visit on your next vacation. This city seems to grow by leaps and bounds each and every year. What once was a small pass-through town with a storied downtown has now developed into a vacation paradise for many. The small city feel is what still gives Paso Robles its charm. The downtown still has a central square including a park for the family and a weekly farmer’s market. It also holds the "Twilight Concerts in the Park" during the summer months. Downtown has a good blend of old and new. Many old buildings (some date back to the 1800’s) host quaint antique shops and restaurants. You will find restaurants that have been around for many years, and those that have just opened thier doors. Many offer modern and diverse menus, including a new high-end steak house opening its doors this spring and an upscale lounge occupying almost 7,000 square feet in the basement of the Clock Tower Building right next door to the impressive boutique winery Edward Sellers (http://www.edwardsellers.com/).

Paso Robles currently has over 200 bonded wineries with tasting rooms spread throughout the area and countryside.Many people visiting make a day of driving in the hills and vineyards stopping at various world-renowned tasting rooms. The two main wine events in Paso Robles are the Zinfandel Festival which takes place in March and the Wine Festival which takes place in May. Hunter Ranch will also be hosting their annual golf tournament during the festival weekend.

Some of the other activities in the area include a water park for kids and families, a local hot springs tapped by relaxing spas in the area, golf (as mentioned), hunting, bird watching, fishing, shopping, and more. Paso Robles also hosts festivals during different times of the year. A small Basil Festival takes place every July. Each August an Olive Festival celebrates regional olive growers and products. The Vine Street Victorian Showcase takes place every December on the second Saturday of the month. The beautiful Victorian homes on Vine Street (in downtown) are the lighted backdrop for an evening of old fashioned fun. Local businesses, carolers, storytellers, musicians, and more come out to celebrate the holidays. My family and I attended the event this year and had an amazing time...truly fun for the entire family. Paso Robles also has an event center that hosts equestrian events and the California Mid-State Fair. In November the city also has an event known as the Paso Gathering; a show and sale celebrating the art and soul of the cowboy way of life.

There are multiple hotels in the area with more on the way. Hunter Ranch Golf Course will be developing a 100+ room hotel on location in the near future to provide lodging to both golfers and visitors of Paso Robles. Two very nice places to stay in Paso Robles are Emily’s House (http://www.emilyshouse.net/) and Rioja Ranch (http://www.riojaranch.com/). Emily’s House is an 1890’s ranch home set right in downtown, with modern amenities and accommodations for up to 10 guests. This four bedroom home is extremely popular with both couples and large families/groups. You can visit them online for additional information. Their website is www.emilyshouse.net. Rioja Ranch is a more intimate home located just outside of downtown. This Spanish-style home is geared towards pampering a couple looking for a romantic getaway. Located amongst the rolling Paso Robles hills, this is a true retreat for you and a loved one. You can visit Rioja Ranch online at www.riojaranch.com for more information.

So as you can see, there is so much to do in Paso Robles. There is truly something for everyone. Whether you enjoy shopping, fine dining, or you are an outdoor enthusiast, you will enjoy your stay here. Like me, you will find yourself returning again and again.

You can learn more about Hunter Ranch Golf Course by visiting their website, http://www.hunterranchgolf.com/.
Hunter Ranch photography was provided by Aidan Bradley.

Corey Bogardus received his B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He is the Editor-In-Chief of the Investment Property Update Newspaper. He also heads up a company known as The Design Well, an advertising agency which produces print and web graphics for companies such as the IPU. You can visit them online at www.TheDesignWell.com