Monarch Beach Golf Links

Monarch Beach: This California resort course may seem new, but has actually been in existence since 1983 when it opened as the nine-hole Salt Creek Golf Course.  Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course is now a featured part of the St. Regis Hotel and Resort at Dana Point and is managed by Troon Golf.  The hotel was built recently in 2001 and the area exhibits the rapid growth of Orange County, California.  Early photos of the area show hillsides of native vegetation and views of the Pacific Ocean that no longer exist.  Houses surround the the perimeter of the course and the hotel was built in the area to the right of the first hole.  Still, this is a brilliantly routed course and a pleasure to play.  After the hotel was built the "nines" were reversed so that the Front nine now plays down to the beach.  The player begins with a downhill straight away drive to the first, followed by a sharp dogleg left par 4.  After crossing under the tunnel of the Pacific Coast Highway, the Third is a short par 4 that aims toward the Ocean, but challenges the player to cut the dogleg left and go for the elevated green. Otherwise it's a long iron and a wedge.  Like many holes on this course distance is not a factor, but there are so many ways to get into trouble.  The short par 3, 13th is a good example.  There is water in the front and surrounding the green from the right.  The Pacific breeze swirling around makes the hole really tough!  It plays downhill, shorter than the yardage, but if the tee shot is off in the slightest water awaits.  I recently played here and am still savoring the experience of luxury, challenge and beauty.

For questions or comments please send e-mail to David.

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Artists' Golf is a conceptual work of art Copyright 1995 - 2008 by David B. Lewis and all original paintings, drawings and art works are Copyright by David B. Lewis. All rights reserved.  Maps of existing courses are original artistic interpretations and impressions from a variety of sources and are not intended to be accurate renderings or representations of the actual courses.  They indicate my interest and study and are intended purely for the pleasure and information of the viewers and are not for sale or profit.