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