Monarch Dunes “The Old Course” opened to the public for play on January 1, 2006 and is the first 18-hole golf course constructed within Woodlands Village. It is located in the southern end of San Luis Obispo County in Nipomo. Monarch Dunes was designed by the El Dorado Hills-based architect Damian V. Pascuzzo and PGA TOUR Professional Steve Pate of Pascuzzo and Pate Design. GOLF Magazine recognized The Old Course at Monarch Dunes among the “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play” in its January 2007 issue. The Damian Pascuzzo design was the only California-based course to make the magazine’s annual list, which features the 10 best new public-access courses that debuted in 2006. Monarch Dunes was honored by Golf Inc. magazine as a finalist for the publication’s “Development of the Year” awards in the daily-fee category. Additionally, Fairways + Greens magazine named Monarch Dunes as the “Best New Course in the West” and ranked the course No.19 on its list of the “Top 36 Non-Resort Courses in the West.” Most recently, Golf Digest ranked Monarch Dunes third among “America’s Best New Courses” in their January 2008 issue, the only California-based course to make the magazine’s annual list, which features the 10 best new public-access courses. In August of 2008, Monarch Dunes opened their 12 hole, par 3 Challenge Course. The 12 holes on The Challenge Course range in length from 65 yards to 205 yards. It’s a great, fun alternative for players who do not have the time or inclination to play a full 18 holes. Monarch Dunes offers a full service restaurant and bar, Butterfly Grille, that is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
