Dairy Creek

By The Unknown Golfer

Whether or not you are a golf enthusiast, the Dairy Creek Golf Course should be on your list of stops this summer. The San Luis Obispo course recently went through a facelift, going from 18 to nine holes; but don’t let that fool you, it’s not your typical nine-hole track.

All photos courtesy of Dairy Creek

Dairy Creek offers a par-36 challenge, which includes three par-3s, three par-4s and three par-5s. Josh Heptig, golf course superintendent for San Luis Obispo County, said, “We are very proud of how the course has evolved. It plays as long as 3,400 yards for those golfers looking for a challenge, and it’s in beautiful shape right now.” The course also offers five different sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all levels. Dairy Creek also offers a Toptracer® facility — an excellent place to start if you have never picked up a club, and an even better place to refine your skills if you’re experienced. According to Heptig, the facility opened in October 2020 and it has been sold out nearly every day since. Toptracer uses the same technology used during PGA broadcasts, and allows golfers to monitor ball flight, launch angles, ball speed, curve, and much more. “The Toptracer experience is fun for everyone, even the large percentage of people who have never played golf before. It’s a great social event and it has really added to the fun here at Dairy Creek,” added Heptig. If you’re hungry or thirsty, Dairy Creek has you covered there as well. The course recently welcomed The Siren El Chorro to the family; the restaurant offers a diverse menu including delicious sandwiches, burgers, flat bread pizzas, a taco bar to die for, and much more. “Having The Siren on site has been a great relationship, and they have been awesome partners,” said Heptig. “Now that COVID-19 restrictions are starting to lighten up, we are talking about bringing live music to the venue as well, so it will be another fun option for locals and those visiting the area.” As if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, Dairy Creek is currently in negotiations to build

cabins on the grounds. They are also finalizing plans for a zipline, disk golf, miniature golf, a BMX skills course, and more. “This is going to be the place to be in San Luis Obispo County when it is complete,” added Heptig. The COVID-19 pandemic did slow some of the expansion progress, but according to Heptig, things are back on track and moving forward.

For those looking for some professional golf instruction, Dairy Creek also has robust offerings in that area.

The course hosts six or seven local professionals who offer lessons. The facility is also home to the California Polytechnic State University-SLO Mustang golf program, and its Cal Poly Practice Center which can be rented when the team isn’t out sharpening its skills. “Dairy Creek has a great team of people working the facility and it’s a fun, exciting, and dynamic place to be,” concluded Heptig. Still not sure if you’d like to make the trip? Check out the course’s terrific website with all kinds of information, including hole-by-hole video tutorials full of tips and suggestions on how to play the course. For more information on tee times, rates, menus, Toptracer reservations, and more, visit dairycreekslo.com or call (805) 782-8060.

Westlake Golf Course

4812 Lakeview Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361 (818) 889-0770 www.westlakegc.com

Westlake Golf Course is centrally located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in the beautiful city of Westlake Village. Famed architect Ted Robinson built Westlake Golf Course in 1967. The course is tree lined and has lakes that come into play to challenge golfers. At 5005 yards from the tips, Westlake Golf Course allows a wide range of players to enjoy a great golf outing. Westlake Golf Course is an easy course to walk for exercise or take carts for a day of leisure. Westlake Golf Course offers an assortment of amenities including a 40-stall night lighted driving range, pro-shop, snack bar, a friendly fully stocked bar, nine teaching professionals, and a practice putting and chipping green. We can provide rental clubs for play on the course or driving range. Our courteous staff is always here to help in anyway that they can.

Soule Park Golf Course

1033 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-5633 www.soulepark.com

Soule Park Golf Course is one of the Country’s most highly regarded municipal golf courses. Situated in the spectacular Ojai Valley, Soule Park was ranked the 48th best municipal golf course in the country by Golf Week magazine in 2014. The golf course at Soule Park was originally designed by renowned architect William F. Bell in 1962. Bell was responsible for many other iconic Southern California golf courses including Torrey Pines (North and South) in San Diego and Sandpiper in Santa Barbara. In 2005 Soule Park underwent a golf course renovation led by Gil Hanse who is one of the industry’s most highly regarded modern-day golf course architects.

Dairy Creek

2990 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (805) 782-8060 www.dairycreekslo.com

Sheer enjoyment is a thing of beauty and it’s also our goal at Dairy Creek Golf Course. Nothing gets our golf juices flowing more than a happy smiling face. Well, birdies, eagles, and holes in one do the trick as well, but those lead to smiling faces, so they are really just the same thing. From young to mature and individuals to groups or families, everyone is invited to join us for some fun at Dairy Creek Golf Course. Toptracer® digital technology takes golf to a new level of fun and excitement. Using the same dynamic technology seen on PGA broadcasts, Toptracer® computers transform the old “driving range” experience using launch, speed, curve and other data analysis – all delivered in real time as you hit your ball out onto our live range.

Simi Hills Golf Course

5031 Alamo St., Simi Valley, CA 93063 (805) 522-0803 www.simihillsgolf.com

Simi Hills Golf Course offers tree-lined rolling fairways and plush greens that will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Water hazards come into play on eight holes, and over 50 bunkers are strategically placed throughout the layout. The course is extremely fair and fun for all golfers - just pick one of the five sets of tees to match your game, and you’ll be on your way to a great day. Simi Hills is dedicated to providing an exceptional golf experience and one of the best values in the state. In addition to 18 great holes of golf, Simi Hills offers exceptional practice facilities, with a lighted driving range and practice putting green, as well as chipping and bunker practice areas.