By Teresa Mariani

I freely confess I do not understand the attraction men have to golf. (Or cigars, for that matter, but that’s another story.) Oh yes, I know that this is not PC of me to say. I know that these days, women are taking to the golf course in equal numbers, and are out making deals (and bets) on the greens just like all the men.

I have no problem getting out in the fresh air, under the blue sky on a soft morning, for a brisk walk amid rolling, grass covered hills. This seems to me like an excellent thing to do. But I fail to see why anyone would want to take along a bunch of metal sticks and spend much of the outing using them to hit little white balls into little holes along the way.

Of course, perhaps this is part of golf’s mystique: the fact that many wives do not play golf while many husbands do.

Depending on your own feelings about golf, you will be either a) exasperated or b) excited to learn that the Santa Maria Valley is golf heaven. Exasperated, non-golfing spouse, excited if you are a vacationing spouse who has discovered that in Santa Maria you can golf at some of the best courses around for almost two weeks straight - and not have to return to the same course twice.

In and around the Santa Maria Valley are 10 top-notch courses offering great golf at a price that’ll make urban golfers green with envy, along with two 9-hole ranges for pure fun (one of them right on the beach).

With a mild, coastal climate and a menu of beautiful courses featuring lush, picturesque settings that use the striking coastal and mountain valley landscape features to the fullest possible extent, the Santa Maria area is golf vacation paradise almost anytime of the year.

Which is good news for golf fans, and bad news for golf widows, and widowers.

If you’re one of the former, check out the following course listings, and be sure to ask about the Golf Package at the Santa Maria Airport Regency Hotel and Conference Center.

The Regency’s Golf Package, good weekends and weekdays, includes deluxe accommodations for one night, a deluxe continental breakfast, a beer and wine reception from 5-7 p.m., and a golf cart. Package price excludes room tax. (For details call the Regency at 888-760-8888 or 805-928-8000.)

If you’re one of the latter, don’t worry. You can still shop, go wine tasting, go beachcombing, enjoy some fine dining and relax, Santa Maria Style, on your own for a few hours while your spouse is golfing -and you won’t have to carry around the balls or the skinny metal sticks.

Santa Maria Valley Courses:

Rancho Maria Golf Course
18 holes, Par 72 Championship Course
1950 State Highway 1,
Santa Maria
805-937-2019
www.CentralCoast.com/RanchoMariaGolf
Restaurant and Catering available

Santa Maria Country Club (Private)
18 holes, Par 72
505 W. Waller Lane
Santa Maria
805-937-2027
Restaurant, Pro Shop, Driving Range, Locker Rooms

Sunset Ridge Golf Course
9 Holes Par 28
Plus Driving Range
1424 Fairway Dr.,
Santa Maria
805-347-1070
Pro Shop, Snack Bar

Santa Ynez Valley Golf Courses
Approximate drive south from Santa Maria: 15-20 minutes.

Zaca Creek Golf Course
223 Shadow Mountain Drive
Buellton
18 holes, Par 29
Driving Range, Snack Bar, Pro Shop.

Five Cities Golf Courses
Approximate Drive north from Santa Maria: 15-20 minutes.

Blacklake Golf Resort
18 hole par 72 and Par 71 Championship Golf Course
1490 Golf Course Lane
Nipomo
805-343-1214
Lakes and Canyon Course: Par 72
Canyon and Oaks Course: Par 71
Oaks and Lakes Course: Par 71
Designer: Ted Robinson
Driving Range, Clubhouse, Club Rental, Three Practice Greens,
Restaurant, PGA Teaching Staff.

Cypress Ridge Golf Course

18 hole Par 72 Championship Course
780 Cypress Ridge Parkway
Arroyo Grande
805-474-7979
www.cypressridge.com
Designer: Peter Jacobsen
Grass Driving Range, Practice Area
Pro Shop, PGA Teaching Pros, Restaurant

Pismo State Beach Golf Course
9 hole Par 3 Course
Pitching Range, Putting Green

Avila Beach Resort and Golf Course
18 hole Par 71 Championship Golf Course
6450 Avila Bay Drive
Avila Beach
805-595-4000
Restaurant, Driving Range, Putting Green, Pro Shop.
* Collared shirt required.

Solvang Golf Courses
Approximate drive south from Santa Maria: 30 minutes.

The River Course at the Alisal

18 hole Par 72 Championship Golf Course
150 Alisal Drive
Solvang
805-688-6042
www.rivercourse.com
Designer: Halsey Daray
Pro Shop, Driving Range, Restaurant, Putting Green

Lompoc Golf Courses
Approximate drive south from Santa Maria: 15-20 minutes

Marshallia Rancho Golf Course (Semi-Private)
18 hole Par 72 Golf Course
1036 California Blvd.
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Lompoc
805-734-4764
Pro Shop, Driving Range, Snack Bar

La Purisima Golf Course
18 hole Par 72 Championship Course
3455 State Hwy. 246
Lompoc
805-735-8395
Designer: Robert Muir Graves
Clubhouse, Restaurant, Pro Shop, Driving Range

Village Country Club (Private)
18 hole Par 72 course
4300 Clubhouse Road
Lompoc
805-733-3535
Designer: Ted Robinson
Driving Range, Clubhouse, Pro Shop, Restaurant
Meeting Facilities, Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool
Locker Rooms