[David Stamm]

Just wanted to find out about a few courses in the monterey area. I'm going in Oct. and I'm playing Pasatiempo. I've played it before (and loved it) and have also played most of the big ones(PB, SH, PH as well as Pacific groove which I also loved) and wanted to know if any one has played Del Monte and is it worth playing. I've also heard San Juan Oaks near Holllister is pretty good and was wondering if any one here agrees.

As a side note, I've not played either of the courses at Ford Ord and was going to try to on this trip but one of the nines on the Bayonet is going to be shut down while I'm there.  While I've not played there, I always hear how tough the course is but I never hear any really say how good it is. I think because it's much less expensive than it's neighbors it gets the rep. that it has as well as being so difficult. Any one agree?  

[ed_getka]

San Juan Oaks is a bit of a drive, but the course is pretty good. My main memory from my one round there is that it had a really solid set of par 3's. Otherwise most of the course is hit it straight as most bunkers and water are flanking, so not a lot going on with angles and strategy as I remember it.
   For my money drive an extra 45 minutes and play Stevinson Ranch in the Central Valley. A great case study in playing angles and if you play mid-week it will be pretty empty.
   Metropolitan Golf Links, right next to the Oakland Airport, is a REALLY good value during the week. If you are flying in and out of there its worth a look.
   Fort Ord courses are okay and worth a look if you haven't seen them before.
   Pajaro Valley between Monterey and Pasa is worth a look too. Pete Galea is super there and it has some interesting holes and the price is right.

[Dave_Miller]

 wanted to know if any one has played Del Monte and is it worth playing.  

David:
I have played Del Monte three times.  It is a nice fun golf course.  Nothing spectacular but worth playing.  It used to be the Hyatt Hotel course but I believe Pebble Beach Corp owns the hotel and the course now.  You may have to be staying at one of the Pebble properties to play there.  Check with Bob Huntley he may know for sure.
Enjoy the trip the Monterey Peninsula is my faovorite place in the whole world.
Best
Dave

[cary lichtenstein]

Fort Ord:

If you like being beat up, beat a path to their door

[ed_getka]

David,
   Del Monte isn't worth more than about $60, and I think their normal rate is well north of that.

[Emmy]

Dave S. and Dave M.:

Here's an update/clarification on Del Monte GC.  The course is owned by the Pebble Beach Company and is open to the public. The neighboring hotel is not owned by the Pebble Beach Company. Players are not required to stay at any specific hotel when playing Del Monte. It's $105 to walk and $125 to ride.

DS-Enjoy your time on the Monterey Peninsula. It will be memorable, no matter where you play.

[johnk]

David,

I would give San Juan Oaks a strong endorsement.  It is not far from Monterery - perhaps 30mins drive.  It has some very tough holes, and strategy does matter.  There are more doglegs the Ed G. remembers...

It is also sublimely beautiful.

Don't eat the spinach though  

Pajaro Valley is worth a visit too!  Fun, shortish and great greens by GCA poster Pete Galea.

[Mike Hoak]

The hotel building that sits next to Del Monte is the old Hotel Del Monte, which is now part of the Naval postgraduate school campus.

[SB]

Other than Pacific Grove, I thought the Fort Ord courses were the best value in the area, particularly factoring in the drive if you are staying in Monterey.  The courses have been softened somewhat (tree trimming mainly) in the past few years so the courses are now just difficult, as opposed to being insanely impossible.  I'm not sure which holes are closed, but the Bayonet was the longer and more difficult of the two.

[Tim Leahy]

Blackhorse at Fort Ord is a very good layout and since they have lengthened it can be very tough from the back tees. It is not just a bargain course. Bayonet, when it's not being referbished is one of California's great courses, period. Not a famous designer, but a famous unique design. I also enjoy the West course at Rancho Canada and Carmel Valley Ranch's back side is worth the round for the views and elevated tees overlooking the valley.

[Tom Huckaby]

Ed - if you can get from San Juan Oaks to Stevinson Ranch in  45 minutes, I want a ride on your helicopter.

As for the courses themselves, Ed's right about Stevinson... but re SJO, I've played it at least a dozen times and there's a LOT more there than Ed gives credit for...

But anyway David, why leave the Monterey area at all?  As several have said, each of the Fort Ord courses are great - just check on current construction (which is going on - you haev that correct).  Del Monte is great fun and if you are playing the big boys, then app. $100 shouldn't bother you for a green fee.  I'd say playing any of those is a better idea than driving far out.. that is unless you want to adventure.  And if you do, well... there are MANY others in the northern direction that would be worth your time.  But I'd advise to stay close to Monterey.

TH

[Evan_Green]

Ed - if you can get from San Juan Oaks to Stevinson Ranch in  45 minutes, I want a ride on your helicopter.

Tom

If you re read his post he did say an "extra" 45 minutes in the context of Pasatiempo and SJO -so 1 hour 45 total...but even still Mapquest says its a 2 hour plus drive.

So maybe you want to borrow Ed's Lamborghini instead of helicopter ??  

[Tom Huckaby]

Evan - I read that - I believe he does mean 45 minutes from SJO out to Stevinson.  That is, you get to SJO, then it's 45 minutes more from there.

And if he can do that, it would require a helicopter.

Yahoo! Maps says 1 hr, 29 minutes.

Note the same wonderful site says:

42 minutes Monterey to SJO
2 hrs 16 minutes Monterey to Stevinson Ranch.

Given traffic patterns, I'd opt for the copter anyway.

 

[ed_getka]

Hey, I was just guessing on the drive time out to Stevinson from SJO. I do know for a fact that I can get to Stevinson Ranch from Pleasanton in 1hr. 10min. What does your driving time source give for that drive?
 
David,
   I defer to John and Tom on the SJO recommendation as I have only seen it once. I was just giving you my general impression from about 6 years ago.

[Tom Huckaby]

Yahoo! Maps says Pleasanton to SR in 1 hr, 24 minutes.  So you're good there, Ed.  Just stick to Pleasanton and eastward.

 

Here's a serious question though:  you're in Monterey, playing all the greats.  Is it REALLY worth driving 2 hours plus out to Stevinson, given the others you could play right there?

I love Stevinson as you know - I fought hard to put our KP event there - but man I don't see leaving Monterey to trek out there... not unless I have infinite time available.

TH

[Emmy]

SBusch:

Construction on Bayonet and Black Horse began in June. The first phase focuses on the front 9 of Bayonet. Plans are to renovate 9 holes at a time, until all 36 holes are completed. 27 holes will remain open during this process. Gene Bates is the course designer on the project. Landscapes Unlimited is doing the course renovation work.

Hotel construction should commence (hopefully) by late 2007. The hotel will be operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

[David Stamm]

So I'm sensing the general census is that Del Monte and Fort Ord are good enough to not warrant driving out to SJO?

[ed_getka]

Tom,
    You are asking the wrong person when it comes to driving for golf. My "local" course is Rustic Canyon, which is 4 1/2 hours, and I would go down there to play at the drop of a hat if I had time.
   When I was in Michigan a couple of weeks ago we golfed 27 holes at Kingsley, then drove 5 1/2 hours up to Marquette, and played 36 holes the next day, drove home to Frankfort that night another 5 hours, and played 18 at CD on Sunday. Then I was up at 4am to drive down to meet Jim Thompson at Angels Crossing which was about 3 1/2 hours. So driving time has NO bearing on my golf plans. It is only when I travel with mere mortals that I have to consider their endurance.
    To answer your question, most people probably wouldn't think Stevinson is worth the drive.

[Tom Huckaby]

Ed - I know.  Your travel times are the stuff of legend.  But I see we concur re Stevinson anyway.  Tough to advise anyone to make that trek when Monterey beckons.

And David, well... we rarely reach consensus on anything... but let's just say if you play either or those closer to Monterey I doubt you'll be disappointed.
TH

[Evan_Green]

David

No one has mentioned Spanish Bay. It certainly isn't cheap but definately worth playing if you haven't yet done so - you had mentioned having already played Pebble and Spylass...

[David Stamm]

Thanks Evan. I was thinking of playing there, but they've upped the ante to $250.00 now and since i'm playing Pasatiempo which is pretty expensive, I figured I'll play it next time. I go to the area every Oct. i've heard mixed things about the course, how did you like Spaninsh Bay?

[Andy Doyle]

David:

If you are focused on the more affordable end of golf in Monterey (which I certainly have been on my visits there), I would second the recommendation of Rancho Canada.  They have 2 courses, East and West, with the West course being the better of the two.  Both are very walkable and have some nice holes that play along and across the Carmel (?) River.  It is a very short drive from Carmel.

http://www.ranchocanada.com

I also played Laguna Seca, a RTJ course, which I also enjoyed.  It is in a beautiful canyon past the airport:

http://www.lagunasecagolf.com

If you throw in Pacific Grove and Fort Ord, there's plenty of good and (reasonably) affordable golf without leaving the area.

Andy

[Tim Leahy]

Thanks Evan. I was thinking of playing there, but they've upped the ante to $250.00 now and since i'm playing Pasatiempo which is pretty expensive, I figured I'll play it next time. I go to the area every Oct. i've heard mixed things about the course, how did you like Spaninsh Bay?

If you go every year, you might look into a "Duke's Card" that is offered through Del Monte golf course web site. For $250 you get big discounts($100 or more) at Spanish Bay and Spyglass for upto four golfers along with big discounts at Del Monte and some other bonus bucks, merch. discounts etc. The card pays for itself three times over and is good for a year, check it out.

[ed_getka]

David,
   I don't think you will be disappointed in Ft Ord for the money, but Del Monte is almost as much as Pasa and that isn't even a contest. Have a fun trip. Let us hear what you think.
   Spanish Bay has some good holes, but isn't worth more than $100 IMO. Just so you have some sense of where I'm coming from. These are only the courses I have played. I would rank the courses Pebble, Pasa, Spyglass, Spanish Bay, Pacific Grove back nine, Ft Ord Blackhorse, Del Monte on architecture. Value ranking is Pasa, Pac Grove, Ft Ord, and there is no value beyond that, just a desire to see the other courses regardless of cost.

[Tom Huckaby]

Tim:

Must we "discuss" the limitations of the Duke's card again?  David, just understand that Tim loves that, I find it has too many restrictions.  But yes, that could defray costs if all the stars align.  

Ed:

In what world is Pasatiempo - at least $150 plus cart - the best "value"?  I know you love it - but no more than I do - I'd just never call it a value, not in a world where Pacific Grove can be played for around $30.  Note too that the Fort Ord courses run specials all the time - especially now during construction - but usually are also $80+.  I wouldn't call that a good value either....

IN any case, I'm basically with you on the "architecture" rankings - however that is defined - but your sense of value seems to be in tune with your sense of how long it takes to get places.

 

Pasa green fees:

Rates
Greens Fees
Monday–Thursday — $150
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays — $175
Replay — $75 (includes cart)


That's value?

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