OB Sports Golf & Leisure

l IN THE NEWS OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE x SPRING 2016 tree trimming have firmed up the fair- ways. It's not always easy to accomplish on damp coastal courses, but now, on most days, when you hit a drive and find the fairway, it rolls instead of plugging. Thatch management has upgraded the greens. A uniform cut of rough surrounds most put- ting surfaces, making for a pleasing aes- thetic as well as challenging even the best players to be precise with their ap- proaches. The sand bunkers – of which there are many –are pristine. New signage and cart paths have improved pace of play. In short, Monarch Beach serves up a first- class golf experience now more than ever. A s for the course design itself, it's vastly underrated. Strong players scan the scorecard and see a par- 70 layout that's just 6,645 yards from the tips. Talk about misleading. It's a complete test in every respect. Many of the greens are elevated, and fortified by bunkers, so it plays longer than listed. In addition, we're down near the ocean, though perched on the cliffs, so the wind will add a dimen- sion to the shotmaking requirements. And finally, lakes, wetlands, and the sinuous Salt Creek force the golfer to be thoughtful and decisive, rather than merely blasting away with the big stick. This is all the golf you could want on your vacation. A ctually, it's more. The eye-popping signature hole comes early, but you'll never forget the 315-yard, par-4 third. Pacific Ocean surf splashes at the fairway's right edge on this crisp dog- leg to the left. Well-placed bunkers and a smattering of trees demand that you plot your attack carefully, whether laying up or going for the green. Even if you find the putting surface, bold contouring makes for a serious flatstick adventure. No matter how you fare, you'll wear out your iPhone camera trying to capture it all. What truly elevates Monarch Beach Golf Links, however, is the quality of its holes away from the ocean. Take the 612-yard, par-5 seventh, a memorable risk-reward thriller that is bisected by a wide, scrub- filled creek, or the 400-yard, par-4 18th that calls for an exacting approach over a lake. With ocean views throughout the round, there's no question what the prime attraction is, but the golf itself, including the terrific forecaddie program, walking and pace of play initiatives, wonderfully stocked golf shop, and top-notch 19th hole restaurant will keep you coming back. A dmittedly, I was seduced by the St. Regis Monarch Beach and its Monarch Beach Golf Links from the moment I arrived. After leaving the 110-degree heat in Phoenix, the cooling, welcoming environs of Monarch Beach acted like a massive magnet. Yes, a stay here isn't cheap, but where value is con- cerned, you get what you pay for. I can say this without hesitation: If you crave a se- cure, secluded luxurious getaway amid perfect weather, with a playable, beautiful Robert Trent Jones Jr. design and plenty of contented butterflies, the revitalized St. Regis Monarch Beach is worth the splurge. HOT LINKS ›› TAKE a course flyover tour of Monarch Beach Golf Links. • • • ›› CHOOSE your tee time at Monarch Beach. • • • ›› CHECK OUT golf vacation packages at the St. Regis Monarch Beach. SCROLL through the slideshow. >>

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