Hunter Ranch Golf Course renovates fairways
Paso Robles golf course planning for the future
Hunter Ranch Golf Course and Restaurant is looking to the future as it celebrates its 20th anniversary as a world-class golf destination. Embracing golf’s environmental and physical evolution, the newly renovated fairways will offer an improved surface and provide a drought tolerant solution for the Paso Robles golf course.
Much like crop science and viticulture, turf scientists continue to develop resilient varieties that improve turf grass quality. The Santa Ana grass – just like crop varieties, every grass has a unique name – a Bermuda hybrid, is replacing the original mix of common Bermuda and cool season grass. The denser Santa Ana grass offers greater water efficiency and provides an optimal surface for ideal play and consistency in the fairways.
“This change in turf improves the player’s experience at Hunter Ranch and adds to the charm of this challenging course”, said Hunter Ranch professional Mike Bremer. “In addition, this surface is more conducive to our unique climate.”
A non-invasive species, this new hybrid grass is much more weather resistant than the previous cool-season grasses that dominated the turf. Santa Ana’s ability to withstand summer heat and stay dense in cooler winter temperatures makes it a responsible and competitive grass choice and easily integrates into the distinct Paso Robles landscape of rolling hills, oaks and vineyards.
The overplanting project began in early June and is now complete. The innovative process was quicker, more water efficient and allowed the course to be playable throughout the process. A special overplanting machine sprigged and distributed the new Santa Ana sod. After sprigging, the fairways were mowed and irrigated to establish the new grass.
“Our fairway improvement project achieves two very important goals: becoming more water efficient and offering an enhanced playing experience for our golfers,” said General Manager John Carson. “These innovative improvements position the course as the touchstone destination for tourists and locals alike.”
About Hunter Ranch Golf Course
Designed by Mike McGinnis and the late Ken Hunter Jr., the 18-hole public course features rolling hills, century-old oaks and stunning views of the neighboring vineyards and ranches that define Central California. The restaurant, the Grill at Hunter Ranch, offers exceptional dining – featuring breakfast, lunch and daily happy hour and an award-winning Sunday brunch. To learn more, visit www.hunterranchgolf.com or call 805-237-7444.
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