A Day on the Bay by Frank LaRosa
With the full 36-hole renovation complete, the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses on the Monterey Peninsula should be on your must-play list. If you have played them before the eye-popping makeover, you’re in for a treat.
The history behind the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses is as colorful as their lush green fairways and white sand bunkers. Located overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay on the former Fort Ord Army base, Bayonet Golf Course was built in 1954 by Commanding General Robert McClure and named after the 7th Infantry’s Bayonet Division.
It seems the lefty general was plagued with a bit of a slice and a little creative architecture managed to reduce his handicap with a series of sharp dogleg holes known as Combat Corner where I’ve waged a bit of war myself. Black Horse was named in honor of the Blackhorse 11th Cavalry Regiment.
Renovations on the 36-hole layout began at the bottom with new fairways, redesigned bunker complexes, and beguiling bentgrass greens. The result is two sparkling ocean-view gems…each offering a different experience. Bayonet’s more traditional deep bunkers and tamer greens contrast with the stunning large serrated bunkers and greens with more movement you’ll find on Black Horse.
Correspondingly, tee shots are more challenging on Bayonet with plenty of room to miss on Black Horse. Architect Gene Bates, is the artist behind the renovation. Bates, who may just be the most affable person I’ve met in golf, has created a masterpiece with unobstructed views of the Bay and perfect bentgrass tees, fairways and greens.
My host, the personable tournament director, Julio Rodriguez ordered up perfect Peninsula weather with blue skies and puffy white clouds to go along with the temperate climate. Even if I had found myself with a bad lie on the course (which I didn’t), it wouldn’t have mattered.
Pick one or play them both. You won’t be disappointed. For more information, visit bayonetblackhorse.com
P.S. The photos here are by Julio Rodriguez. Top is number 18 on Bayonet and the other photo is the finishing hole on Black Horse.
November 27, 2009 at 1:20 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
I Love That Sound - by Frank LaRosa
I thought I was a pretty serious golfer the first time I was fitted for clubs. All these years later, I still don’t have the heart to get rid of my PING Eye 2 irons. They were wildly popular in the 80s and PING Golf was at the forefront of the perimeter weighted cavity back clubs. Today, almost every manufacturer offers this type of forgiving golf club.
PING Golf’s humble beginnings can be traced to the family garage where Karsten Solheim’s late nights, persistence, and curiosity developing innovative products led to the foundation of the world-renowned golf equipment company that celebrates their 50th anniversary this year.
The innovations continue today with the introduction of the G15 and I15 drivers. Don’t look for movable weights or funny shapes. These drivers just work. If maximum forgiveness, distance and accuracy are what you seek, your choice might be the G15. If you like to work your tee shots, the I15’s fade-biased design and its 460cc titanium head is for you.
The sound of a well-struck drive is almost as satisfying as one that actually goes straight and long. With the new PING G15, you get the sound, the straight, and the long!
Although they felt slightly different when I hit them, testing on the track man proved I produced more optimum spin rates and carry distance with the G15, demonstrating the importance and value of proper fitting. If long and down the middle are OK with you, you won’t make a wrong choice with either the G15 or I15 driver from PING Golf.
November 13, 2009 at 4:16 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa | No comment
Superintendents Do A Super Job
By ESPN 1320’s Frank LaRosa
While Bill Murray’s character in the movie, “Caddyshack” was a lovable goofball, Carl Spackler bears little resemblance to today’s unsung heroes, the golf course superintendents. Long before we leave the comfort of our beds to dress for a round of golf, your local superintendent has been on the job for hours.
Most of us don’t even notice they’re there, but we’d be howling mad if they weren’t setting the pins, manicuring the greens, mowing the fairways, trimming the trees, and altogether making our experiences on the golf course a pleasure. (Your bad shots are on you!)
When you stand on that first tee and admire your surroundings, the green grass, and the beauty of nature, it would be a good time to recognize the contributions made by the golf course superintendents. They’ve been doing this for a very long time. In fact, they were green….before green was routine!
Next time out, take the time to offer a pat on the back to your local golf course superintendent. Let them know how much you appreciate what they do to make your day so enjoyable.
To learn more about what your golf course superintendents do every day, visit www.gcsaa.org
October 15, 2009 at 3:49 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa | No comment
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