NIPOMO, Calif. - You'll be hard-pressed to find a par-3 golf course like the 12-hole Challenge Course at Monarch Dunes on the central coast of California. Designed by Damian Pascuzzo and Steve Pate, The Challenge Course can be used as warm-up or bonus round to the Old Course at Monarch Dunes, which was also designed by Pascuzzo and Pate.
The Challenge Course is the second of three planned courses for the The Woodslands, a Trilogy residential community, which is surrounded by windswep dunes, eucalyptus trees, coastal views and golden-colored hillsides.
In reality, however, The Challenge is an enjoyable test in its own right. Maintained to championship level, the architects designed it in such a way that you can play different tees (there are three sets) for different shots.
The velvet bentgrass greens are also very large (about 8,000 square feet on average) with lots of undulation, which will provide plenty of interesting putting and short-game challenges.
Water comes into play on five of the 12 holes, and there are signature dunes and fescue everywhere, giving the course, which is just a mile or so from the Pacific Ocean, a seaside feel.
The golf course has a natural, rugged appearance, which is enhanced by the dunes that were shaped throughout the fairways and around the greens.
The holes range from 65 yards to well over 200. Get a little wind, and it's anything but easy.
Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 9
There are five lakes that come into play at Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 5
The 239-yard fifth hole at Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course might be the most difficult. Many players might choose to play it as a two-shot hole.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 1
Greens on the Challenge Course at Monarch Dunes G.C. are huge with lots of different tiers and undulations, which can be seen from the very first hole.
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Monarch Dunes G.C. - Challenge Course - hole 3
The third hole on Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course is short at just over 100 yards from the back tees, but trouble looms short and long.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 4
Water on the 152-yard fourth on Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course is part of the trouble with three large bunkers guarding the green.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 6
The sixth hole at Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course in Nipomo.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 7
Mounds abound on the 152-yard seventh hole at Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course.
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Monarch Dunes G.C. - Challenge Course - hole 9
One of five water hazards comes into play on Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course's ninth hole.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - hole 11
The 11th on Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course is just 110 yards, but a large tricky green make three-putts a real possibility if you don't get it close.
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Monarch Dunes GC - Challenge Course - hole 12
By the time you get to the 12th hole at Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course you'll definitely feel like you've been challenged.
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Monarch Dunes Golf Club - Challenge Course - No. 12
A good finishing hole, the 12th at Monarch Dunes Golf Club's Challenge Course measures 195 yards from the tips
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