There is an understandable tendency to see Pebble Beach as defining Monterey golf. But the peninsula has so much more than just the world-famous links that will host the 2010 U.S. Open. Spyglass, Cypress, Del Monte and Poppy Hills are all well-known, must-play courses on the 17-mile drive to the north side of Monterey Bay.
If you’re looking for a contrast in styles, however, visitors to northern California looking for public-play can do no better than the Links at Spanish Bay, Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s challenging course by the shore, and Bayonet, the refurbished parkland gem just inland north of Monterey airport. Contrasts in style, they round out any collection of the area’s best courses.
Spanish Bay (Tom Watson helped with the design) is part of the Pebble Beach Resort complex just past Pacific Grove on the peninsula’s north point. In keeping with the tradition of links courses, the 6820-yard layout plays along the beach next to the chilly Pacific waters. Like many of the better links courses, much of its charm and challenge lies hidden among the dunes and hummocks created by nature. The “blind” element of the course annoys some but is familiar-- and appreciated-- by others who’ve enjoyed the British style of golf.
Spanish Bay’s first nine holes run from just in front of the clubhouse along the water before finally turning inland on the back nine for a series of demanding tree-lined holes. Shot selection is imperative in navigating the tight confines of Spanish Bay’s fairways, and approach angle is critical to leaving the proper putt on the greens. Typical is the 451-yard par-4 No. Five (Blind Choice, ) which requires a tee shot to avoid the three pot bunkers in the middle of the fairway. The hole ends with the waves crashing on the shore below the green.
Among the memorable holes are No. 14, (Wind & Willow) a tight par five that descends 576 yards through the unspoiled brush and dunes to the ocean. Depending on the wind, this hole can play as a downwind teaser or a beast into the teeth of the Pacific winds. The green is poised above a series of sand traps that catch errant shots. A beautiful view from the tees, too.
No. 4 green,The Links At Spanish Bay (photo Bruce Dowbiggin)
Inland, the uphill par-four No. 12 (Cathedral) is another example of how Jones makes the golfer shape his shots. You need an accurate drive of around 220 yards into the right side of a narrowing fairway. That sets up a second shot across a deep ravine to a sloping green. Beware getting above the pin on this one.
Jones finishes off Spanish Bay with a series of narrow, target-sensitive holes running across the dunes below the resort. The finishing par 5 No. 18 (Long Home) is a 574-yard roller coaster that moves right to left along a narrow sliver of fairway that punishes a fade. You can try for it in two, but a band or gorse swallows short shots. The green is wide but shallow and getting on the wrong side of the hole can lead to all sorts of headaches.
Rounds at The Links at Spanish Bay are less expensive than at Pebble Beach and Spyglass but still cost a healthy $250 in high season. The best way to take advantage of Spanish Bay is to stay at the beautiful Inn and combine the stay with one or more of the other courses on the peninsula. For more phone (866) 939-6423 or go to pebblebeach.com.
Having belonged to a Willie Park Jr. course for years, we have to admit a certain weakness for the classic parkland course designs with their mature trees, sweeping fairways and testing greens. With the magnificent resource of statuesque cypress, oak and pine trees available in Northern California this has left the area with wonderful examples of parkland courses available to the public. This year’s President’s Cup is being played on such a course, San Francisco’s wonderful Harding Park course, just across Lake Merced from the legendary Olympic Club.
But Harding Park has strong competition from the recently refurbished Bayonet/ Black tandem in the Monterey suburb of Seaside. We only had the opportunity to play the 7104-yard Bayonet, the older of the courses that was completely restored by noted architect Gene Bates (Circling Raven, The Rise, Corballis Golf Links) in 2007 (front nine) and 2008 (back nine). Bayonet, which opened in 1954, was created on the site of the former Fort Ord and christened in honor of the 7th Infantry Light Fighter Division (nicknamed the “Bayonet Division”). Ken Venturi, then in the military, was consulted in the building.
Bayonet photos @ Julio Rodriguez
The routing has been changed by Bates, and new bunkering has toughened up the course. And while the course has added just 150 yards in total length, the removal of poa annua and Kikiyu grasses in the fairways has kept the experience difficult but fair. The appropriately named Bayonet can produce the death of a thousand cuts should players decide to venture into the statuesque trees that line virtually every fairway here or be swallowed in the snow-white sand that punctuates Bates’ design.
Bayonet’s new teeth show in the combined eighth and ninth holes that stretch a combined 1089 yards. The beastly No. 8 requires two lengthy shots to avoid the fairway bunkers and set up an approach. The green is narrow and provides a variety of pin positions so a proper distance read is imperative. The dogleg right, par-4 No. 9 follows to rock the unwary player. Playing uphill, it is almost impossible in two at 476 yards. Best to lay up and try for a well-earned up-and-down par.
Par threes? No. 17 is a downhill 225 yards from a beautiful tee box that overlooks the Pacific. The green runs away to the right behind dramatic bunkering so grab plenty of club for back pin positions should the wind blow. Plus, get a photo of the view.
You can’t get a stronger finisher than the 527-yard par-5 that plays into a steady wind off the water. Mere mortals are again advised to take this in three as the green has a ridge running through its middle that can make three putts a possibility for misplaced approaches. Bayonet is ranked No. 35 on Golf Digest's list of the "50 Toughest Golf Courses in the United States, and our recent round underscored that reputation. Tough but honest, Gene Bates has made the classic a must-play in the Monterey experience.
Bayonet is $160 during the weekends, $115 during the week. Afternoon, replay and junior rates are priced even lower. For more information, call 831-899-7271 (PAR-1)or email info@blackbayonet.com.