Detailed description of Marshallia Ranch Golf Course, CLOSED 2016
Marshallia Ranch Golf Course is an 18 hole Military golf course located near Vandenburg AFB between Lompoc and Santa Maria, California.
The course is open to the general public who can reserve a tee time during the week. The course gives priority to military personnel for tee times and green fee discounts.
Marshallia Ranch Golf Course first opened in 1957. The course was designed by Bob Putman.
The course is tree lined, and there are many sand bunkers. The fairways are tight and tree lined with spots of ice plant throughout. With the Pacific ocean only 5 miles away, wind is always in play.
Par for the course is 72. From the back tees, the course plays to 6,845 yards. From the forward tees, the course measures 5,404 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 15, a par-5 that plays to 586 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 3, a par-3 that plays to 160 yards from the back tees.
Watch out for # 5, a 386-yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at Marshallia is # 14, a 436 yard par-4.
The Lompoc Record reported in June 2016 that Marshallia Ranch Golf Course is facing an uncertain future. Col. J. Christopher Moss, VAFB’s 30th Space Wing commander, pointed to the rising cost of state water and the declining usage of the course as trends that could lead to the course’s closure.
“The golf course has been losing money for nearly 10 consecutive years,” Moss said. “At our current loss rate, the golf course is going to be bankrupt in one to two years.”
FLASH NEWS__________________
Marshallia Ranch
The Marshallia Ranch Golf Course at Vandenberg AFB will cease offering rounds of golf effective Sept. 1, 2016.
In 1992, Vandenberg entered into a contract to purchase water from the state of California. This was done to help sustain the water infrastructure of the base and local communities. However, with the onset of the current drought, the price of water provided by the state has risen nearly 500% over the past decade. As a result, the golf course has been forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per year simply to water the grounds. These costs have far outpaced revenue generated by the course. In order to prevent the golf course and the entire VAFB MWR Fund from going bankrupt, the base has no choice but to cease offering rounds of golf.
However, in an effort to offer some level of golf at Vandenberg, the putting green, driving range, practice area will remain open. The Pro Shop will also remain open, although on a trial basis while the 30 FSS assesses its ability to be profitable without rounds of golf being played at the course.
$36 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2012 at 10am
I have been playing this course for over 15 years. It is always in fine shape; those who play there take care of the course. It is quiet with lots of animals - deer, hawks, roadrunners, etc. gracing the round. It is fair and the surroundings - large trees, baranca - enhance the experience. It is about a four hour drive for me so I always stay overnight and play another course in the area. A must for me when I play Vandenberg is to dine at Hitching Post No. 1 in Casmalia. An experience not to be missed when I'm in the area
$41 (cart included), played on Wednesday, September 2009 at noon
Marshallia Ranch is the best kept secret in California. Hard to find, but worth the drive. Scenic, great layout, no two holes the same, challenging, but fun for any level of player. You will use every club in your bag. Great practice facilities. Deer come out and eat grass at the end of the driving range daily. My favorite course ever, but I live too far away to play it as often as I would like. Located at the end of San Antonio Road between Santa Maria and Lompoc on the AFB. A must play. Call ahead for reservations.
Member (cart included), played on Wednesday, February 2011 at 8am
This is a great Golf Course I have played golf all over the world and for the area, the price and the condition of the course it ranks in my top 10.
Member (cart included), played on Wednesday, January 2011 at 6am
Great track poor fairways overhanging trees that eat balls. Pace of play is fine if you beat the director and his group out if you don't it will be a long day. If wasn't stationed here wouldn't play here but am so best deal for military.
$31 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2010 at 8am
Being a military course the prices in the pro shop are very reasonable.
$21 (cart included), played on Wednesday, October 2009 at 8am
Marshallia goes as the Base Commander goes. If the Base Commander is a golfer you bet the the course will be in top condition. Lately the course has been fine. The wind plays is a big factor when playing here as well as fog. Being close to the ocean and in a low lying part of the coast, the fog can stay long into the morning or come rolling in early in the afternoon. The wind is almost always present. Be prepared for at least 10-15 MPH daily, sometime a little more, sometime a little less.
Member (cart included), played on Sunday, August 2009 at 6am
$26 (cart not included), played on Sunday, August 2008 at 2pm
Very good course layout. Will test your game.
$31 (cart included), played on Thursday, July 2006 at 10am
I must admit, I am biased. This was the first golf course that I ever played. I played it back in 1964 as a senior in high school. I knew then that it was a beautiful venue, I just did not appreciate at that time that not all golf courses were equally blessed. I next played Marshallia Ranch Golf Course in 1994, 30 years later when I returned for the Lompoc High School class of 64 reunion. It was like visiting an old friend who had not changed a bit. I am talking about the course. The reunion was also terrific, I was so lucky to have gone to such a great high school with terrific kids who were all very nice.But, I digress. The course is located about 5 miles from the Main gate of Vandenburg AFB, near Lompoc / Santa Maria California. It lies near the coast, so even in the summer, bring a jacket as the cool ocean breeze and fog can keep it cool. The course looks and feels like the 6800 yards it is. the 2 par 5-s are each about 550 yards. The course has beautiful cypress trees lining the fairways, great elevation changes, is located away from man made structures, and is a real delight visualy as well as a difficult, but fair golf challenge. The only thing this course lacks are water hazards. It makes up for it with ice plant. Hit a ball into ice plant which is abundant, and it might as well be in a pond, you will not find your ball. This military course is open to the public, albeit at a slightly higher fee than to military, but still a very good price. I highly recommend this course. For an under $40 Californa course, it should not be missed.
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$41 (cart included), played on Friday, July 2014 at 8am
This is a secluded course, not heavily played. It's challenging yet playable for women. The course is quiet with deer passing through the fairways. It's a great "getaway" yet close to Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara.