Record turnout for 36th annual Meadow Muffin Golf Classic in Paso Robles

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Nov 06 2025

Cowboys, ranchers, and friends gather at Hunter Ranch Golf Course to raise funds for local nonprofits

PASO ROBLES — On Saturday, Nov. 1, the 36th Annual Meadow Muffin Golf Classic teed off at Hunter Ranch Golf Course with a record-breaking 116 players — the largest turnout in the event’s history — all playing for a good cause.

Each year, proceeds from the tournament support local nonprofits, including the Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles, Jack’s Helping Hand, and Cancer Support Community — CA Central Coast. The tournament, a four-person scramble with no handicaps, has always been more about camaraderie than a perfect game of golf.

Pete Clark, co-founder of the Meadow Muffin event alongside Tim Twisselman, reflected on the humble and humorous beginnings of the classic.

“It all began with Tim Twisselman and myself. And then back then Robin Baggett was involved and Harry Fischer and Steve Arnold,” Clark said. “We thought it'd be fun to get everybody together. It all started with cowboys and ranchers at the Avila Bay Golf Course.”

It turned out the cowboys were a little too much for Avila to handle, and with some new lessons learned, the tournament moved to the Paso Robles Golf Club for about 30 years.

“We lost money on that one [in Avila],” Clark admitted with a laugh. “But that kind of set the pace for the whole thing.”

After the Paso Robles Golf Club took new ownership and moved away from hosting tournaments, Meadow Muffin relocated to Hunter Ranch Golf Course about five years ago.

Other than having fun, the purpose of Meadow Muffin remains the same. Clark explains, “That was the whole intention [supporting local nonprofits], because we didn't expect anything out of it. We just enjoyed doing it.”

Meadow Muffin continuously brings together golfers, ranchers, and friends for a day of fundraising and no-pressure golfing. “A lot of the guys that participate are just not golfers. They’re there to have a good time,” Clark adds.

What makes the tournament is unique is its flexible scorekeeping. “A lot of the guys, they either don't keep their score or they change it ... it's a lot of fun,” Clark joked.

The day culminates in a “putt-off” competition where the winning team takes home the coveted Meadow Muffin belt buckles.

The event’s success, Clark emphasized, depends on a network of dedicated sponsors and volunteers.

“[We get] a lot of good support from our sponsors,” he said. “We couldn't do it without them — Liana is a big part of it. Without her and our office support here, it'd be a wreck. I don't know how Tim and I just did it by ourselves back then.”

Hunter Ranch Golf Course Food and Beverage Director Bailey Flickinger also played a key role in making sure this year’s event ran without a hitch. From breakfast cocktails to post-tournament lunch, Flickinger and his team made sure the golfers were taken care of.

For Flickinger, the most rewarding part of the job is the atmosphere. “I love seeing smiles on people’s faces,” he said. “My favorite thing is just seeing everybody come off the course and just genuinely have a great day.”

While interest in the event is growing, so are the costs to keep it running. Clark explains, “As time goes on, it just gets more and more expensive to put all this on, so I don't know how much longer it's going to go on ... everybody still enjoys it, so we're still able to do it.”

For Clark, the real joy comes from the people. “Oh, just seeing all my buddies,” he said. “Everybody having a good time.”

Clark offered one final note of gratitude: “Just a big thanks to all of our sponsors and, of course, all the participants — from cowboys to ranchers.”

For more information on the Meadow Muffin Golf Classic, visit clarkcompany.com/meadowmuffin

Feature Image: Tim Twisselman, Jack Weist, Pete Clark, Brian Bohner and Kevin Peck celebrate their win in the putt-off at the Meadow Muffin Golf Classic. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP