Just five miles or so from Pebble Beach as the crow flies, Bayonet Golf Course more than matches up to that five time U.S. Open venue in difficulty and strategic heft. It even has the Pacific views — the entire breadth of Monterey Bay seen from several holes through the apt filter of cypress pines. And after architect Gene Bates completed his incredible multimillion-dollar overhaul a couple years ago — together with its completely reworked companion course Black Horse — Bayonet is definitely good enough to host an Open itself. Probably won't happen, but it's worth noting, and discovering why for yourself. Operated by the city of Seaside, it's now one of the best municipal courses in California, if not the nation.
This week, a full field of tour hopefuls will find out just what a complete challenge this former military track is. Bayonet is again one of five sites nationwide to host Stage II of PGA TOUR Qualifying School, which culminates in the pro game's most intense crucible — the Q School Finals — Dec. 1-16 at Orange County National in Orlando, Fla. No matter what the weather, young studs and fortysomething glory-chasers alike will get a full examination in every department. Narrow driving corridors between vaunted stands of old-growth trees that aren't as thick as in the old days, but still penal. Deep, gnarly rough. Speedy bentgrass greens (no more poa annua). Nasty sheer-faced bunkers. And, if organizers push the tees all the way back, 7,100 yards of sea level fun.
In other words, U.S. Open conditions. That's why in both its former and new configurations, Bayonet has hosted several Open qualifiers and is a regular on the Q School docket. It's also the way it should be if these guys expect to make a living playing golf. Get over the hump here and they'll find the final two stages a relative breeze if they keep their heads, which is no certainty. And that'll mean getting by a handful of holes in par over the qualifier's four days of competion — the par 5 opener, 476-yard par-4 ninth (easily the "new" course's best hole) and revamped "combat corner" holes of 11 through 13 and the big, sweeping finisher. To be honest, there's not a weak hole out there. From the tips, only one of four 3-pars clocks in at under 200 yards (No. 14, at 192), while Bates toughened the shortish par 4s (3 and 15) with wicked green complexes.
Bayonet, which opened in 1954, is steeped in golf and military history. Created on the site of the former Fort Ord by General Robert B. McClure, it was christened in honor of the 7th Infantry Light Fighter Division (nicknamed the “Bayonet Division”). Word is the general was a lefty with a nasty slice, hence its collection of tough dogleg-left holes. Bates managed to maintain some of that unique flavor while modernizing the overall layout to 21st century standards. The bunkering, for instance, is so much better both visually and strategically — a goal extended to even greater effect on Black Horse — that Bayonet now brings to mind some of the nation's favorite major venues, Augusta National included. And the greens, while smaller than Black Horse's, are rife with tricky, subtle slopes and big-boy pin positions.
So, after the Q Schoolers steel themselves to Bayonet's battle-hardened challenges, make that tee time, move up a set or two and take it on with relaxed confidence while taking in the views with appreciation for that certain Monterey magic. And don't miss the more open, rambling Black Horse either; Bates' changes there are even more profound, and just as pleasing.
Want more reason to make the trip? See FG Magazine's 2009 reviews of Bayonet and Blackhorse.
Go here for a list of entrants, including several former PGA Tour winners.
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