Tip Of The Spear: Troon Makes Landing On The Monterey Peninsula
Long regarded among the best daily fee facilities on the Monterey Peninsula, Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses in Seaside, Calif., recently announced that Troon Golf was selected to manage the 36-hole facility. Troon will oversee golf operations, food and beverage, golf course agronomy, and sales and marketing for the two championship courses.
Bayonet and Black Horse have a rich history in a region known for outstanding and scenic golf. Built on the now-decommissioned Fort Ord Military Base (closed in 1993), Bayonet was designed by General Robert
B. McClure in 1954 and is named after the 7th Infantry “Light Fighter” Division, the first (and last) major unit to occupy Fort Ord.
Known for its narrow playing corridors lined with oak and cypress trees, and steep, penal bunkering, Bayonet is one of the challenging tests of golf in the area. The par-72, 7,104-yard course has retained its famous bite even after a 2008 renovation by architect Gene Bates, who improved the course’s playability and strategic options.
Following the success of the Bayonet Course, Fort Ord added Black Horse in 1964. Named in honor of the 11th Calvary Regiment, which was stationed across the Bay at the Presidio of Monterey from 1919-1940, Black Horse was designed by General Edwin Carnes, the Commanding General of Fort Ord from April 1963 until June of 1965.
With captivating views of the Monterey Bay, Black Horse’s 7,024-yard, par-72 layout has rolling, fescue-framed fairways, bunkers with distinctive, serrated edges, and contoured greens.
“Bayonet and Black Horse, and the former military base they were built on, have an incredible history in the Bay Area,” said Dr. Kiran Patel of SKDG Capital, the new ownership group of Bayonet and Black Horse. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Troon, the premier management organization in the golf industry, to enhance and improve the golf experience at these two iconic golf courses, while concurrently developing a new hotel on the property.”
Bayonet and Black Horse, and the former military base they were built on, have an incredible history in the Bay Area.” – Dr. Kiran Patel of SKDG Capital
In addition to golf, the facilities include a clubhouse with a golf shop, meeting facilities, and the Bayonet Grill, a casual restaurant with indoor and patio seating featuring views of the Monterey Bay.
“The opportunity to manage a tremendous and historic property such as Bayonet and Black Horse is very exciting,” said Darrell Morgan, vice president operations, Troon. “Our Troon management team will now look to further elevate the property in the areas of agronomy, club operations, marketing, and food and beverage operations. We are confident that our management practices and dedication to outstanding service will make an already exceptional property even better.”
For more information on Bayonet and Black Horse, visit www.BayonetBlackHorse.com.