Monarch Beach Golf Links:
Pacific Ocean Panorama,
White Sand, Slick Greens

By David R. Holland,
Senior Writer

It all comes together, after a $1.5 million makeover in 2001, for an unforgettable round of golf on California’s “Riviera”, a beautiful stretch of land just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

Monarch Beach, designed by Robert Trent Jones II and opened in 1983, is a must for golfers who love to play in sight of the Pacific Ocean. You can see the misty blue on 12 of the 18 holes and on two holes you are right there, hearing the surf crash and gazing at Catalina Island or the myriad of seagoing vessels, from sailboats to tall ships.

Monarch Beach is host to the Hyundai Team Championships where 24 touring Pros from the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA tee it up for two days of match play. The 2001 winners were Fred Couples-Mark Calcavecchia (PGA), Allen Doyle-Dana Quigley (Senior PGA) and Lori Kane-Janice Moodie (LPGA). Watson recorded an ace on No. 13, a 146-yarder. Negotiations are on-going to continue the event.

• Reader Forums • California Course Guide • Past reviews by David R. Holland

To master this Scottish links-style course, you must be able to read and conquer the quick greens that run 10 on the Stimp meter. You also have to dodge 113 bunkers or be able to hit out of them.

“We hear lots of positives about the layout, the weather and the views,” said Brian Baus, head pro. “Golfers like that we are managed by Troon Golf, that the course is playable and that there aren’t that many forced carries. But if we want to we can put some pin placements out there that are almost impossible for even professionals.”

Monarch Beach’s length was increased from 6,344 yards (par 70) to 6,601 yards in the makeover. That distance is still deceiving. The air is heavy here at sea-level on the Pacific, so your tee shots are not going to soar as far. It also plays on a hillside meaning you will have some downhill shots, but some uphill, too. If the wind kicks up, well, you will have to deal with that, too.

"You can really be surprised by the lack of length you get off the tee,” said Chuck Wood of Irvine. “I think one looks at the scorecard and thinks it is a short course, but the air is heavy, you have many approaches to elevated greens, you can have the wind against you and if you play during the rainy season, that takes more yardage off shots. The Pacific views are great.”

Conditions: 9 Scenery: 10 Layout: 9 Par 3’s: 9 Par 4’s: 9 Par 5’s: 9 Service: 10 Practice Facilities: None Club House/Pro Shop: 9 Pace of Play: 9 Value: 7 Overall Rating: 9

The signature hole is a risk-reward beauty that takes you seaside. No. 3 is a 315-yarder that dogs dramatically left. The pros, like Couples, just grip and rip as the crow flies. But even if you hit this green on your tee shot there’s an unreal putting surface with more bumps and knobs than a witch’s nose. One of the pin placements is far upper left, a nice little flat shelf. But if you are anywhere else on the green, a three-putt can be the norm.

Monarch Beach is located in a “ritzy” area, no doubt. A Ritz Carlton is nearby and the ultra-exclusive St. Regis, a 400-room hotel has just opened right above Monarch’s Tuscan-styled clubhouse.

Because property is at a premium on the California coast, Monarch doesn’t have a driving range. It does have four warm-up cages and putting green.

Monarch Beach Golf Links

Green Fees: Weekdays, Public $135. Twilight $85. Super Twilight $70. Call for details. Weekends, Public $175-$190. Twilight $105. Super Twilight $90.

Directions: From I-5 going south, get off at the Crown Valley Pkwy exit and turn right, travel for three miles to Niguel Road and turn left, proceed another three miles to Stone Hill Dr and turn right, the course is located at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Hyundai Team Matches

From December 7-9, 2001 Monarch Beach Golf Links hosted the Hyundai Team Matches. The matches pitted eight members of each tour against each other in a team match play format. From the PGA, competitors included Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia , David Toms and Steve Flesch, Tom Lehman and Duffy Waldorf, and Skip Kendall and Joe Durant.

From the Senior Tour, competitors included Arnold Palmer and Bruce Fleisher, Allen Doyle and Dana Quigley, Andy North and Tom Watson, and Tom Kite and Gary McCord. From the LPGA, competitors included Juli Inkster and Dottie Pepper, Lori Kane and Janice Moodie, Karrie Webb and Kelly Robbins, and Grace Park and Wendy Ward.

This year's champions were Couples and Calcavecchia from the PGA, Doyle and Quigley from the Senior Tour, and Kane and Moodie from the LPGA. The winners received a check for $100,000 apiece as well as a brand new Hyundai Sonata. More than 11,000 people came to watch the nationally televised event.

Orange County’s Golf Coast

The folks at Orange County, California’s Golf Coast have their own internet address at www.occgolf.com for information about planning your golf trip to Orange County or call 800-555-1982.

Disneyland, California Adventure

When you take the kids to Disneyland, just a short drive from Monarch Beach, don’t miss the new California Adventure next door and the “Soarin' Over California” attraction -- it is great fun for any age. Soarers enter through a massive hangar, where you await your mission briefing. Then get ready for the ride of your life -- an exhilarating airborne adventure over the diverse wonders of California.

For more information on Disneyland log onto: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneylandresort/index.

Newport Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

For information on the great vacation possibilites of Newport Beach and Orange County or a free visitors guide, please call 800-94-COAST, fax is 949-722-1612 or email them at info@nbcvb.com. Internet address is www.newportbeach-cvb.com.

Where to Stay

The Hyatt Newporter, located at Jamboree Drive and Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), was the site of the 1953 Boy Scout National Jamboree, where more than 50,000 Boy Scouts camped out in tents.

Today, the tents are gone, and the grounds are covered with palm trees and natural trails -- ideal for scenic walks, jogging and cycling. Back Bay Drive, a five-mile nature trail for cycling or jogging, parallels the ecological preserve of Newport Bay. Bicycles are available for cycling to nearby Balboa Island, Newport Harbor or the beach. Volleyball, shuffleboard and table tennis are all available on-site.

The Hyatt Newporter also has a nine-hole executive par-three golf course named Back Bay, and is a perfect place for a family, including small children, to learn the game or sharpen skills of the short game. You also have access to 16 lighted tennis courts, spa facilities, sauna and whirlpool.

Where to Dine at The Hyatt Newporter

The Hyatt Newporter features the Jamboree Grill, Knuckles Historical Sports Bar, The Lobby Bar-Cigar and Martini Lounge.

David R. Holland is an award-winning Senior Writer for TravelGolf.com, selected Best of the Web by Forbes Magazine. Contact him at dave@travelgolf.com.