Sitting in the Chorro Valley, Dairy Creek is an affordable golf course in an idyllic setting. It is rare in California to find a public course without houses lining its perimeter and obscuring every vista. At Dairy Creek, golfers will find a gorgeous pierce of land, unobstructed mountain views, and a pleasant walk. The course—designed by John Harbottle III, a prolific architect in the West during the 1980s and 90s—opened in 1997. Originally it was an 18-hole course, but because of water issues, it was reduced to nine in 2018. The facility’s efforts to stay alive, refresh its offering, and continue serving its community are inspiring but also representative of the struggles many golf courses in arid regions are currently facing. For that reason, the Dairy Creek story is an important one for all golfers to know.

{{content-block-course-profile-dairy-creek-001}}

Take Note…

A strong trio. The county of San Luis Obispo owns and operates not only Dairy Creek Golf Course but also Chalk Mountain Golf Course in Atascadero and Morro Bay Golf Course in the seaside town of Morro Bay. All three are worth playing, and together they make SLO county—a beautiful, tranquil section of the Central Coast of California—a good destination for an affordable trip that includes but is not limited to golf.

Bah. As part of county golf superintendent Josh Heptig’s “Zero Waste Park” initiative, Dairy Creek maintains a flock of sheep, which manages the golf course’s native areas. The sheep eat only the invasive, non-native plants, and they are moved around the course every couple of days. Dairy Creek also welcomes other animals, building birdhouses and allowing jackrabbits and wild turkeys to wander around.

A past life. Remnants of the old dairy farm that gave the course its name can be seen at the corner of the property near No. 5.

{{content-block-course-profile-dairy-creek-002}}