Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses in Seaside offer elite golf on the Monterey Peninsula
SEASIDE, Calif. - After a $13 million renovation completed in 2008, the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses have taken their place among the elite venues on the Monterey Peninsula.
Seaside Resort Development hired architect Gene Bates to oversee the renovation of the two former military courses, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
The work included the trimming and clearing the underbrush of the thousands of cypress trees and California live oaks and the removal of non-healthy trees. Tees were rebuilt, bunkers were added with bright white sand and holes and corridors were rerouted. Now you can see Monterey Bay from several locations from around the golf course.
The courses also got new turfgrass. The whole course was reseeded with the relatively new Jacklin T1 bentgrass - a rich, dark-green strain specifically developed to hold its own against California natives. Fescue now surrounds the bentgrass rough.
As for the golf courses, Bayonet, which was named after the Army's 7th Infantry Division, is considered the tougher of the two, having hosted many important tournaments in its history that dates back to 1954. At 7,104 yards, this par 72 is a difficult test with its tight fairways, tough bunkering and subtle firm and quick greens.
The Black Horse golf course is slightly shorter and not that much easier, considering that the greens have more undulation to them. The style of the bunkers is also different with Black Horse featuring sand traps with serrated edges.
- Destination guide: Great golf and more in the Monterey area
- Review: Black Horse golf course in Seaside
- Review: Bayonet golf course in Seaside
