Santa Barbara greens of envy

SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB

Santa Barbara County

Though no golf course in America can rival the history and nirvana of the Pebble Beach Golf Links on the Monterey Peninsula, few visitors can afford to shell out 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 striking 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 a local Pinot Noir and a good night’s sleep at the Days Inn Buellton, with its landmark windmill, might just hit the spot. And with the money saved, you could wake up and do it all over again.

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).