Monterey Peninsula Country Club (MPCC) is a club whose two courses I must admit that I had not seen nor heard much about prior to being given the offer to see by a kind host whilst in the Monterey region.
Most of the talk of the Monterey golf courses abroad - from my experience at least - centre primarily around Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and then to a lesser extent: Spyglass Hill. I was in for a pleasant surprise with regard to MPCC - it is every bit as good (if not better ?) than Spyglass Hill IMO - particularly for its “playability” aspect.
If I have my history right – MP Dunes course was laid out originally by Raynor and completed by Hunter. Rees Jones then did alterations in the late 1990’s. The MP Shore course was laid out originally by Baldock in the 1960’s and redeveloped by Mike Strantz in 2003. The layouts are somewhat similar in that they start and end in the high woodland areas of the property but the Shore has more holes along the exposed ocean area of land.
The topography changes at the start and end of each course are amazing contrasts and its interesting how one traverses from atop the hillside down to the dunes only to then climb back to the clubhouse to finish - one could keep very fit playing around the layouts at MPCC.
The AT&T PB Pro-Am was played at “The Shore” recently - replacing Poppy Hills on the rota and by all reports from what I have read was well received. No wonder – it’s a good course and well worth playing if one gets an opportunity to do so.
Holes I noted (Shore course):
6th = (P5: 548yds) is a double dogleg that swings significantly to the right and whose green is set nearby the 11th hole. The player has to avoid the fairway traps that are set on the insides of each of the doglegs. The green itself is by no means a push-over with at least three tiers in it and is quick to putt on.
9th = (P3: 224yds) is a very good and testing long P3. The green has a large entrance and also a wicked step in it. Any putt from the upper shelf to the lower one needs more than a prayer in an attempt to slow it down.
10th = (P5: 541yds) is another twisting and turning P5 that swings around to the left only to move slightly to the right at its very end. The green is situated in a bowl in the dunes and has a significant back to front slope in it and is fronted by a lone bunker.
11th = (P3: 181yds) is a very picturesque P3 that provides a wonderful vista of the layout and Monterey Peninsula coastline. Set atop a rocky outcrop one hits down to a kidney shaped green that is well protected by bunkers and has a significant middle ridge running through it.
12th = (P5: 599yds) finishes off a great 3-5-3-5 sequence of holes and has this time has only a small amount of directional movement in the fairway. With a creek traversing the fairway off the tee one has to be careful with their club choice. The hole narrows as one gets closer to the green and again it is quite tricky to putt on.
13th = (P4: 434yds) was one of my favourite holes on the course. I love how the hole narrows and the bunkering by Strantz is superb. The green also has a significant back to front slope and with CPC in the background what a wonderful frame it provides.
15th = (P4: 415yds) is another simple yet beautiful hole. This hole has a severe dogleg to the left off the tee and if one is brave and long enough they may try and take the trees and bunkers on. The penalty for coming up short or going left is severe. One can take the easier route out to the right but then has a longer and more difficult shot in as the green is well protected by bunkers from that angle.
The Shore course was a delight to play and I am surprised that its overall quality hasn’t been publicised moreso. Being a private club has something to do with it I am sure - but mechanisms like the AT&T hopefully are able to bring it more acclaim to which it richly deserves.
The stretch of holes from the 5th to the 16th were a blast and whilst I found the holes closer to the clubhouse less appealing they each had their own unique qualities and weren’t any less enjoyable to play.
After CPC and PB I think MPCC deserves to tussle Spyglass as the next best course to play if on the Monterey Peninsula. Certainly, Spyglass Hill is harder than MPCC though I’m not one that prescribes to the notion of “difficulty” being directly proportional to quality. Strantz’s design was an absolute joy to play and I think the members at MPCC are very lucky indeed to have two quality courses to choose from.