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<b>SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB</b>
<i>Santa Barbara County</i><br>
<br>
No golf course in America can rival the history and nirvana of the Pebble Beach Golf Links on the Monterey Peninsula, but many golfers can't afford the $475 greens fee. This is where Sandpiper Golf Club comes in. This par-72 seaside course, which charges less than a third of what Pebble Beach does, is flanked by mountains and rife with views of the Pacific. On several holes, retrieving wayward shots might require a snorkel and fins. But Sandpiper is no mere show pony. Beneath its beauty lies a challenging 7,000-yard tract that has played host to PGA and LPGA events. The high rollers may lean toward a post-round snifter of brandy at the Pebble Beach Lodge. But after playing Sandpiper, a visitor may find that a glass of Pinot and a good night's sleep at the Days Inn Buellton, with its landmark windmill, might just hit the spot.
<i>Info: Sandpiper Golf Club, 7925 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93117; (805) 968-1541, </i><a href="http://www.sandpipergolf.com">www.sandpipergolf.com</a><i>. Greens fee: $124 weekdays, $144 weekends (cart not included).</i>
--Tim Hubbard

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( Aidan Bradley )

SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB Santa Barbara County

No golf course in America can rival the history and nirvana of the Pebble Beach Golf Links on the Monterey Peninsula, but many golfers can't afford the $475 greens fee. This is where Sandpiper Golf Club comes in. This par-72 seaside course, which charges less than a third of what Pebble Beach does, is flanked by mountains and rife with views of the Pacific. On several holes, retrieving wayward shots might require a snorkel and fins. But Sandpiper is no mere show pony. Beneath its beauty lies a challenging 7,000-yard tract that has played host to PGA and LPGA events. The high rollers may lean toward a post-round snifter of brandy at the Pebble Beach Lodge. But after playing Sandpiper, a visitor may find that a glass of Pinot and a good night's sleep at the Days Inn Buellton, with its landmark windmill, might just hit the spot. Info: Sandpiper Golf Club, 7925 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93117; (805) 968-1541, www.sandpipergolf.com. Greens fee: $124 weekdays, $144 weekends (cart not included). --Tim Hubbard