The Monterey Peninsula is home to some of the best golf courses in the country. This month we’ll get a glimpse of three when the pros compete in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. We’ll enjoy the rolling terrain and dynamic views of the Pacific Ocean. And we’ll wish we were there.
But there’s a lot more to the area than Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula Country Club; golf courses that are just as challenging and picturesque – and where rounds cost significantly less. From California’s scenic coast to the foothills of the local mountains to the expansive valley nearby, there are plenty of championship tracks worth playing.
Take a look at these public courses in and around Monterey, where you can play 18 holes of championship golf for around $100 and walk away with memories of a great round.
MONTEREY
The Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational plays on three courses in Monterey, and Del Monte Golf Course is one of them. The course is also managed by Pebble Beach Resorts so you can expect pristine conditions.
With the course set inland, you’ll experience less wind than on the coast. The shortish layout with tree-lined fairways and moderately undulating greens has three sets of tee boxes for a fun but challenging experience. Definitely not intimidating.
Touted as “the oldest course west of the Mississippi,” Del Monte is a favorite with locals.
“What people really enjoy about Del Monte is the course’s challenge, beauty and quality,” says Head Professional Neil Allen. “As a Pebble Beach Resorts course, conditions are impeccable, some of the best in the area. It’s also a favorite among California golfers because of the friendly staff.”
With green fees that average $110, Del Monte is worth a visit. Sign up for a Duke’s Club membership and get up to 50 percent off green fees at Del Monte in addition to pricier The Links at Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill and discounts at Del Monte Pro Shop and all Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants.
Completely renovated less than four years ago, Monterey Pines Golf Course is owned by the U.S. Navy and, just like Del Monte, it’s located near the Monterey airport and fairgrounds. Rates are very reasonable – $35 to $38 plus cart fee for the general public, $18 to $20 plus cart fee for military personnel.
At just under 5,700 yards from the back tees, the par-69 course is short on distance and features open fairways and tight doglegs.
The course boasts views of the Del Monte Mountains and the Monterey Bay.
“It’s a great, reasonable price and one of the most golfer-friendly courses for all levels of players,” says Monterey Pines Golf Course assistant manager Neil Larkin. “And it’s always in great shape.”
Laguna Seca Golf Ranch is about seven miles from the center of Monterey. The course is carved into the hills that lead to Salinas and features narrow, uneven fairways and strategically placed bunkers that challenge every skill level.
Locals and visitors to the area enjoy the elevated tees and views of the Monterey Peninsula, not to mention the value.
Rates range from $38 to $70 depending on the time of year and tee time. Or, sign up for the course’s Super Mini Rewards Platinum Program and save up to half off these rates.
CARMEL
While the coast has great ocean views, the climate can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler and quite foggy. But if you head just about seven miles inland, you can escape both.
Carmel Valley Ranch is one of the best spots in the valley. The resort and golf course completed a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2009 so you can bet you’ll find superior conditions.
The Pete Dye layout first opened in 1976. Today, its dramatic rebirth includes elevated greens, improved tee boxes and T1 bent grass. And it’s playable for all golfers.
“The front nine is relatively benign,” says Will Schaeffler, Carmel Valley Ranch marketing coordinator. “As the course leads up the foothills it gets pretty challenging and more scenic. The back nine features higher elevations and breathtaking views of the valley.”
Green fees start at $165 but the resort offers various stay-and-play packages throughout the year.
The tranquil resort features a 10,500-square-foot spa, a hilltop yoga platform, and a two-acre organic garden. With golf and an expansive resort in a secluded location, there’s no reason to go anywhere else during your stay.
Set to re-open March 26, Quail Lodge is offering generous stay-and-play packages for two starting at $195 per night through April 18. That’s significant savings considering green fees alone range from $125 to $150.
The upside of this course’s location is that it’s almost always sunny. Located east of Carmel by the Sea, Quail Lodge Golf Club doesn’t get the fog that sets in most of the region.
“Many chose to walk and you’re able to do so because of the course layout and the terrain,” says Max Schroeder, Quail Lodge director of sales and marketing.
Quail Lodge is a par-71 course with 10 lakes and views of the Carmel River. At just under 6,500 yards from the back tees, it’s “challenging for seasoned golfers yet a beginner can play it easily from the front tees,” says Schroeder.
The renovation of the 93-room resort includes a serene California ranch décor with wood floors. Amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, bar and restaurant. Especially enticing is the resort’s partnership with the adjacent Refuge relaxation spa and its 50-minute massage for just $90.
If you’re looking for just golf in the area, check out Rancho Canada Golf Club. Here you’ll find two 18-hole courses that traverse the Carmel River and are located at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Green fees range from $65 to $70.
PACIFIC GROVE
If you’re still determined to set foot on a Pebble Beach-area course, just two miles north of the coastal links is Poppy Hills Golf Course, host of countless tournaments over the years, including the AT&T National Pro-Am from 1991 through 2009.
But time is running out. Poppy Hills will close in March and reopen in April 2014 after an extensive renovation.
The $10.5 million in improvements to the course, located in the Del Monte Forest, include a new irrigation system, a redesign with lessening of doglegs to help the course unfold more naturally, improved putting greens and a new set of tee boxes. The course will grow substantially to more than 7,000 yards while par is expected to drop from 72 to 70 or 71.
The clubhouse also will be completely remodeled and a snack bar will be added.
Rates average $200 for public play, but if you sign up for a Northern California Golf Association membership, you can save up to 75 percent off green fees here and at other NCGA courses in the area. Twilight rates are $43 to $78 and even lower than that for walkers.
Can a golf course that’s been dubbed the Poor Man’s Pebble Beach really be any good?
You be the judge. Pacific Grove Golf Links sits on the tip of the peninsula, overlooking Point Pinos and the Pacific Ocean. The front nine leads through a tree-lined residential area, but its back nine – with stunning ocean views – is a knockout. The traditional links-style layout of these holes share another thing in common with Pebble Beach Golf Links – Jack Neville worked on the design of both courses.
And while the comparison to Pebble Beach doesn’t hurt business at this busy course, Head PGA Pro Joe Riekena says Pacific Grove stands on its own.
“To be able to play golf this close to the water, where whales are spouting off in the distance, for under $50 during the week is a pretty good value,” says Riekena. “There’s not a lot of places you can get that close to the water.”
Green fees are $46 weekdays, $52 weekends.
SEASIDE
About a mile or so from Monterey is the quaint town of Seaside, where you’ll find two great courses on one property.
Bayonet Golf Course and Black Horse Golf Course offer 36 holes overlooking Monterey Bay. The 7,104-yard, par-72 Bayonet and 7,024-yard, par-72 Black Horse were not long ago part of a $13 million renovation project by award-winning golf course architect Gene Bates.
Both courses have strong military ties. Bayonet opened in 1954 on the site of the former Fort Ord, a U.S. training facility, and was named after the 7th Infantry Light Fighter Division nicknamed the Bayonet Division.
Black Horse was built 10 years later and was named after the 11th Calvary Regiment, also known as Black Horse.
Before noon you’ll pay $100 to $120, between noon and 2 p.m. $59 to $75 and just $35 anytime after 2 p.m.
The courses have paired with Casa Munras Hotel & Spa near downtown Monterey to offer two-round stay-and-play packages starting at $279.
– By Catherine Risling
