THE GOLF COURSES OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA

There are some 20 golf courses within a reasonable driving distance from anywhere in the Monterey Peninsula. A number of private courses exist which can only be played with a member but many are Resort courses which are open to play for a fee.

Almost all of these courses are visually spectacular and great fun to play. We have chosen to concentrate on the best the Peninsula has to offer. Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills (these three form the rota of courses on which the A T & T National Pro-Am – formerly the Crosby Tournament is played each February) and Spanish Bay also owned by the Pebble Beach Corporation.

We also offer play at Pasatiempo, the Alistair McKenzie designed beauty located an hour away from Monterey in Santa Cruz.

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach has hosted 4 US Opens (1972, 1982, 1992 & 2000), a PGA Championship, 3 US Amateur Championships and the annual A T & T National Pro Am. It has just been selected for the 2010 U.S. Open and is one of the great golf courses in the world and probably the most beautiful. The course measures less than 6900 yards from the Championship tees but plays much longer, with tiny greens and very little run on the fairways. With the heavy seaside air, count on every shot being one club more than the actual yardage.

Spyglass Hill

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior in the 60’s Spyglass Hill is the most difficult course on the Peninsula. The first six holes are almost linkslike and then the course turns inland with holes that are all tree lined with Monterey pines and with deer on every fairway. It is long and you are almost always hitting upwards to a raised green. Playing to your handicap at Spyglass is a real achievement and a great experience.

Poppy Hills

Poppy Hills is set inland in the hills above Pebble Beach and you have spectacular views of the coastline from many of the holes. It is essentially a parkland type of course with tree-lined fairways and big greens. One leg of the AT & T National Pro Am is played here and once again, it is really tough off the back tees. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior.

The Links at Spanish Bay

The Links at Spanish Bay were built in 1987 and co-designed by Tom Watson. It is a severe test of golf, particularly off the back tees with the wind playing a big part in club selection, as it is set right out on the ocean with only a few holes sheltered from the sea breezes. The last four or five holes feature long carries from the tees so your driving has got to be good. The greens are undulating and quick. Club selection is important and can vary considerably with the wind direction, just as on a British links course.

Pasatiempo

Set in the hills overlooking Santa Cruz and with Monterey Bay in the distance, Pasatiempo is an Alistair McKenzie masterpiece. McKenzie, who designed both Augusta National and Cypress Point, as well as many other wonderful courses in Australia and even Ireland, uses hilly parkland surroundings set amongst graceful houses to create a superb test of golf.

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