The opening nine holes work their way up an isolated valley and return to the clubhouse, with the stylish ninth hole serving as their exclamation point. The green on the closing par 4 is strategically positioned adjacent to a large lake that adds character and beauty to what is regarded among the most respected “pure” golf holes at Pasadera.

Pasadera’s back nine is a superb collection of challenges and rewards, with several holes capturing Nicklaus’ vision for the dramatic landscape. In particular, the 14th hole is a par 3 perched atop a dramatic bluff, playing a full carry across a deep, rugged canyon to a sizable green. The elevation, at both the tee and green, offers 360-degree views of the magnificent Santa Lucia Mountains, as well as stretching East across the Salinas Valley and out West to Monterey Bay.

Allowing the land to dictate the design for Pasadera, Nicklaus found his final routing to include six par 3s, five par 5s and seven par 4s, with four sets of tees that range from 5,807 from the front to 6,807 at the back. Regardless of the chosen distance, Pasadera requires both caution and courage, occasionally both on the same shot.