Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point
By Ken Sandbach
April 4, 1999
DANA POINT, Cali. - - Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point,
California, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., design, delights the senses
as well as severely challenges all who tee it up. Opened in 1983,
these 18 holes, though not terribly long at 6,344 yards from the
Championship Blue tees, require committed concentration and attention
to detail from every challenger. The ninety-eight white sand bunkers
that dot this picturesque layout are coupled with tight fairway
landing areas and water on nine holes. Even the lowest handicapper
will spend the day in jail if failing to respect the designer's
demands.
Thirteen of Monarch Beach's holes distract golfers with majestic
views of the Pacific Ocean, highlighted by the third fairway and
green that sit atop a cliff over looking the pounding 6-foot surf.
Golfers share the day with Southern California's surfing population.
Head Pro, Greg Winter, believes that players of all abilities
will have an enjoyable afternoon. "Those that underestimate
the total distance are always the ones left shaking their heads,"
he says. The championship slope peaks at 128, with a course rating
of 69.2, while the regular white tees challenge at 5,700 yards,
slope of 121, and course rating of 66.9. The ladies make a day
of it at 5,046, slope of 119, and course rating of 70.3. Players
unfamiliar with the course are aided by a detailed and colored
yardage guide printed on the back of the scorecard, useful for
finding that tough back pin placement.
A day of visual intimidation begins immediately on the first
hole. The landing area is downhill and narrow. Two hundred yards
are needed to carry the left bunker, while 215 and 230 are necessary
to avoid the right side traps. Once successfully in the short
grass, a short iron can reach this uphill green, but take enough
club to carry the front wall bunkers protecting the green. Par
is an excellent beginning to the day! Number 2 is as visually
imposing as it gets! This number seven handicap is a Par 4 measuring
446 yards, and is a 90-degree dogleg left, to an uphill green.
Off the tee 170 yards leaking right will find the water, while
any more than 240 finds that same hazard on the far side of the
corner. A conservative fairway wood ensures safety, but for the
longer hitters willing to aim over 3 ominous bunkers, cutting
the corner is a smart play. This leaves just a wedge to a shallow,
sloping green. Formidable because of its distance and hazards,
this tough hole may actually be one on which to secure birdie.
One under after 2 holes sounds pretty inviting!
Holes three and four are found by passing through a tunnel underneath
the Pacific Coast Highway, and are right on top of the ocean.
The third plays only 315 yards, but doglegs left, and is guarded
left, right, and through the corner with bunkers, so a strong
fairway wood is prudent because cutting this corner is impossible
due to trees. The landing area rolls downward and to the left,
leaving an uphill wedge to a difficult two-tiered green. This
shot plays long, so be generous. Par is excellent. The 183 Par
3 fourth is back uphill to a sloping green, well guarded on all
sides by sand. Another par is excellent. Before leaving take one
last look and listen at the scenic Pacific; it may be the last
moment of tranquility left!
Hold your breath through numbers five through nine. Greg Winter
regards these as the toughest stretch on the course. Number 5
is another three par, this one playing 217 yards over a canyon
and protected by water and three bunkers. The 392 yard sixth requires
205 to carry the left side bunker. Confidence is a must to ensure
a middle to short iron approach.
The architect, Jones, Jr., no doubt, still remains proud about
his seventh hole. This number one handicap is a 602-yard Par 5
dozy! A 230-yard tee shot is required to carry the cat-tail-filled
riverbed, just to reach the narrow fairway running parallel to
the canyon. From there two possibilities exist: a 4 iron lay-up,
straight ahead, or re-crossing the gully with a fairway wood,
to an equally narrow stretch of fairway, guarded by mountains.
Depending on the choice, as much as a five iron remains to reach
a green that slopes and is only 26 yards deep. Confidence makes
par, but if none exists, then the sky's the limit!
The eighth hole offers no rest. This 417 yard Par 4 is well
protected by 10 bunkers, four lurking in the fairway, 6 more menacing
approaches at the green. Two straight shots make a great par,
or even birdie. Be happy with either! The ninth is a reachable
499-yard Par 5. More than 250 are needed to reach the fairway
bunkers, but confidence dictates the second shot. A long fairway
wood must carry bunkers and avoid water on the left for any eagle
aspirations. Prudence suggests a mid-iron lay-up, with a wedge
approach. Definitely a hole for gamblers, with the pot being a
nice birdie!
The second nine holes deliver more of the same challenges, but
maybe a bit easier. Numbers 10 and 11 are both demanding up hill
par fours, guarded by fairway and green side bunkers, but the
difficulty on 11 lies in its length. The scorecard says 405, but
golfers must play it around 440 to reach in regulation. Number
12 is the back side's first Par 5, 526 yard dogleg left. Eight
bunkers protect this hole and the green is narrow on approach.
Par evidences a patient player; birdie though is possible.
The thirteenth hole is a downhill Par 3, playing 146 yards,
but if the pin is cut in front, back, or middle, then a lake is
in play! There is no bailout area because water encircles all
but the left side, and a bunker awaits there. Wet off the tee?
The drop area demands another effort over water. Lying 4 before
touching the putter is possible.
Holes 14 and 15 both require players to negotiate water and
sand for success. The fourteenth is a 381-yard Par 4 dogleg left.
A solid draw off the tee is best. Two hundred and twelve yards
carries the left bunker, but 240 and straight reach the water.
The second shot plays long into the wind to reach the sloping
green. The fifteenth is a long Par 3. 185 yards reach the green,
but right is wet and left is in a trap. This green slopes left
to right and is fast. Good Luck!
Sixteen makes players wish they played the white tees! 60 yards
separate the Championship tee from the white. A long, straight
driver is necessary to set up a reasonable approach. Long irons
will have difficulty holding the slick green, and bunkers guard
bailout areas. Seventeen is a beautiful, downhill Par 3. At 157
yards, this could be an easy Par but homes protect any pulled
shots and a tricky tri-level green foils any putt outside of 8
feet. Par is ideal, setting up the finishing hole. Number 18 is
358 yards, so a long fairway wood is acceptable from the tee.
Bunkers guard both sides of the fairway, and are definitely in
play with the driver. The approach is over water to a narrow and
difficult green. Water guards the left and rough protects the
right.
Club 19 awaits the adding of the scores. Order a double because
the numbers could get big! Enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean, either
from elevated patio dining, or inside the restaurant. Speak with
management about booking your special event in Monarch Beach's
beautiful banquet facilities. Corporate outings or a special wedding
day can be left to the expert attention of the event staff. Don't
forget to inquire about the new and improved Happy Hour, and the
wine list for after-golf dinner.
Monarch Beach Golf Links was designed by the renowned Robert
Trent Jones, Jr. and is managed professionally by Troon Golf Corporation
under Greg Winter. Located on the Pacific Ocean, adjacent the
Ritz Carlton, Monarch Beach is not only a wonderful round of golf,
played along side the likes of Bill Gates, Sugar Ray Leonard,
and Michael Jordan, but also the ideal course for corporate tournaments,
intimate rounds among friends, and special events in the banquet
rooms.
MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS
23841 Stonehill Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
PHONE NUMBER: (949) 240-8247
FAX NUMBER: (949) 240-9210
| LOCATION: |
The Monarch Beach Golf Links is located directly
adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The Links is
one of the few ocean courses in Southern California. |
| |
| GOLF PRO: |
Greg Winter, Director of Golf |
| |
| TRAVEL TIME: |
Adjacent to property |
| ARCHITECT: |
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. |
| |
| NUMBER OF HOLES: |
18 |
| YARDAGE: |
6224 Blue Tees |
| PAR: |
70 |
| |
| COURSE RATING: |
69.2 Blue Tees 66.9 White Tees 68.5
Red Tees |
| SLOPE RATING: |
128 Blue Tees 121 White
Tees 120 Red Tees |
| |
| GROUP EVENTS: |
Yes |
| MAXIMUM PLAYERS: |
144+ |
| OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: |
Yes |
| AVAILABLE: |
7 Days a Week |
| |
| AMENITIES: |
|
| Tournament Planning? |
Yes |
| Tournament Scoring? |
Yes |
| Driving Range? |
Hitting Cages |
| Club House? |
Yes |
| Pro Shop? |
Yes |
| Lessons available? |
Yes ............ Cost: $60 per hour, $30
per 1/2 hour |
| Catering available? |
Yes |
| Club rental? |
Yes ............ Cost: $45 per regular |
| Shoe rental? |
No ............. sale only |
| |
| GREEN FEES: |
|
| Modified Shotgun |
Negotiable |
| Full Shotgun (all day) |
Negotiable |
| INDIVIDUAL GREEN FEES: |
$115 per person, including cart Mon-Thurs |
| |
$145 per person, including cart Fri-Sun |
| DIRECT BILLING: |
Yes ............ Master Account or Room Account |