
California, United States
The magic is the way in which the Shore course blends into the topography. It's golf ‘au naturale’ and perhaps the finest architectural swan song.

















Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore)
The magic is the way in which the Shore course blends into the topography. It's golf ‘au naturale’ and perhaps the finest architectural swan song.

















6
6 years ago I was in the area and even having played all of them, MPCC was a heartbreaking no go. Luck and meeting new friends were crucial to secure a round on both courses this year and it was way above what I have expected. Many say the Club is the best Private Golf Facility in USA and if not true, it is a serious contender for a Top 5 with Winged Foot, LACC, Oak Hill, Merion, Baltusrol, Philly Cricket and some more … it is everything you can dream of a golf experience and of 2 great golf courses.
We played both courses in consecutive days and round 1 was on the Shore on a Wednesday during the Club Championship, so both courses were in immaculate condition. 8 friends from Argentina hosted by 3 very kind Members who not only made us play both courses but also experience the Club in full monty.
We arrived 12pm for a light lunch at the Men’s Grill and obvious ProShop Tour before taking use of the amazing practice facilities by the Club House (they have another one beside Dunes 11th called Point Joe Range which might be the best on earth facing the ocean), everything was set for a great round with greens rolling at 12’ in the stimp. One thing is in between the 2 courses they have 4 different grasses, Dunes Rye Grass Fairways and Bent Grass Greens and the Shore very tight Fescue fairways and Poa Annua greens, quite a challenge for the Greenkeeping staff!!
I will separately take the Dunes, but will start with Shore which starts by the Club into the forest towards the Ocean arriving at 5th Hole and getting back at 15th to ride back to the Club through the forest again, quite an amazing piece of land and even better routing by Mike Strantz in this case.
Shore is the one Courses used for the AT&T National PGA Tour Event and Members are thinking in using the Dunes to alternate the host which would be great in order to show the Audience their beloved Golf Club in full display. There is even a blend course using all the shoreline holes but unfortunately it can’t be used on Tour due to the grasses difference in between them.
Shore is maybe gentler, less demanding off the tee with wider landing areas and not as dramatic green complexes as the Dunes has, but not easy at all to score. You need to be sharp with your irons and wedges, clever on where to aim your approaches and extremely precise with putting, the biggest challenge of the course apart from trying to not get distracted by the amazing views the course offers.
1st Hole is a par 5 from an elevated tee by the Club House downhill quite open and to a huge green, a long approach led to a putt of over 60 feet!!! One landmark I have on this trip to California is having played many very good short par 3s and 3is one of those, surrounded by forest it is quite a nice hole. 5 is a short 4 that unfortunately we could not get close as it played into the wind but what a cool view over the green! 6 is a 3 shot par 5 with houses on the right side (with quite nice views I imagine) and the coast on the left … better than most!
The stretch that starts on 6 and continues till 15 is mind blowing with coast all along, very good routing and some really special spots:
Then the final 2 holes go up the slope towards the Club House along the forest. Some say 18th is weak and similar to CPC 18th with a sloped fairway that can bring back your ball 30yds. It is going to be modified in order to be it more fair and show you the green.
If compared to Dunes, I can’t say better or worse (really none of them are close to being bad!!!), it will be about what you like and enjoy more, which one suits better for your game. Shore for sure is a couple of shots “easier” (it is not easy at all) and for sure less demanding with the Driver, but it is greatness all the way. One of my favorite courses I have played up to today. And if I add the dinner we enjoyed at the Main Club House after the game with some of the finest Catena Zapata Wines of the market then the experience is second to none.





Overall rating
5.0
Overall rating
5.0
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