Monarch Bay Golf Club - Tony Lema Course

I have mixed emotions on this course because of the pace of play that we have encountered on different occasions. First time was OK however this last round was close to 6hrs and unbearable through the last 9 holes. We had a 4 some and still had to wait on the 2 some in front of us!

If the wind comes in it will make the course much longer than normal but provides a good challenge as you will need to go at least 2 clubs up most of the time.

Visually stimulating course design, with native grass areas
[stay out! 6"-12" high and green], multiple, deep greenside bunkers, long parallel fairway bunkers, all designed with the wind in mind. Prevailing wind is North-Northwest at 1-3 clubs.
Fabulous challenge!
The greens are a bit uneven, but pretty good for a muni. I'd guess around 7-8 stimp. The uneven quality of the surfaces come from play and varying degrees of care. They are poa annua.
Played during the week at around 12:30 for $34.00. Great deal!

I thought that all the fairways and green were very well maintained.
Staff was the most friendliest I have ever encountered. Two of my buddies were running 30 min late so my friend and I informed the pro shop and he even gave us a complimentary bucket of balls while we wait, that was awesome. I will be heading back frequently thanks very much.

I have played this course a few times now and have noticed that in the mornings there is a LOT less wind than in the evenings. I don't know if it was just me, but it seemed like so many of the holes in the evening the wind was blowing right in my face...making it really hard to control, still a fun course and reasonable rates.

Friendly Marshall tried to keep the group ahead of us to pick-up the pace to speed up our round. I also noticed there's a couple of foxes on the fairway that are friendly to players.....is there a way to protect them from unfriendly people? Maybe a sign not to disturb or hurt these lovely foxes!

It was windy. even I used 2-3 more lofted club to reach the target.

This course is well maintained. My group came here because the inland temperature has been in the three digit range, but near the coast it was a sunny 70 degrees with a cool 5 mph wind from the bay.

They have some of the best greens I have seen of any public course. The fairways were not dried out and you can tell they water it often. The roughs were a good length to where you could find your ball but long enough to prevent perfect ball contact. There is some well placed vegetation around some of the tee boxes that will devour you ball if you top it. I found the bunkers to be well maintained with enough sand to make them qualify as a bunker.

The course layout was simple but not too straight forward, with a few dog legs and blind shots here and there, I recall maybe 2 of each. The main obstacles are all of the bunkers and potential high winds on the back nine. This course is also very walkable with tee boxes not too far off from the greens and not too drastic of an elevation change. We had a single join who had a stand bag and was able to keep pace with our carts. Sometimes he was even getting ahead because he could take the direct route.

Now for the one negative mark I found. It felt like maybe they watered too much or their conservation system works more efficiently in some areas. Some of the greens and bunkers were a little soggy, and I know for sure that it hasn't rained in days. It made some of the greens way harder to read because they were more dry than others.

To end on a good note, we did see three red tailed foxes that day. One almost caught a Canadian goose for lunch. Pretty exciting and I'm sure they help to keep the goose droppings on the fairways down to a minimum.

I haven't played this course for probably 20 years, played it 7/1/2013 with a friend. Amenities were good, there is a small bunker near the 1st tee to practice from the sand and some chips which I liked. The range uses old rocks for balls however, and simulated asphalt? painted to appear like grass/sand traps etc.

Now for the course. The greens are extremely receptive/soft but actually roll very well. For how soft they are they are very smooth. The breaks are very hard to read. I did not have a putt all day that broke as much as it appeared. Whatever break you read, it plays about half that. The tee boxes are fair, soft spungie ground, not easy to find a level spot, however they were relatively divot free.
The course I suppose is a links course but it has 4-5 tree lined holes throughout, almost feels like two different tracks. There was abit of wind as the course plays right alongside the bay, made for some nice views and some beastly par4/5's on the back nine playing directly into the wind 15,16,17,18 play into the teeth at 430/598/213/410.

The course is mostly flat with no blind approach shots into the greens. The day we played we saw 7-8 red foxes walking throughout the course, completely oblivious to golfers ( would actually walk directly up to and past golfers) and also 4-5 red tail hawks who seem to own the course. I saw 1 fox chase a playing partners ball thinking it was a mouse or small rodent I supposed.

Green fee's on golfnow were reasonable at $32 in the afternoon. For the course itself I'd give it a 3/5 max. HOWEVER, due to the wait on 16 of 18 tee's I won't be returning myself. This course draws beginners and they pack em tight on the tee sheets. They put a man and wife in front of my foursome and a twosome behind us. We played in a little over 5 hours. Oh and the sand traps had about 1 inch of sand that I'd describe as wet gravel (although the trap on 17 had perfect sand in it go figure).

I'd recommend this course for 15+ capper, your not gonna get rushed while searching for your ball and it's wide open off the tee's ( you will have to try very hard to lose a ball here).

I generally dont like to play this course because of the strong winds. Got a good deal on golfnow and decided to give it a shot. Course is well maintained and really wasn't too crowded this day. This course does offer some of the most beautiful views, but those come with a windy price. The pace was good and the greens in decent shape. Open fairways for the most part.

Course is in very good condition. Greens run true. Depending on pin placement can be somewhat challenging. The wind makes this course very challenging. When the winds comes off the bay it makes every hole play long.

Being next to the bay shoreline means afternoon wind, which makes the coarse more challenging . The coarse is very nicely kept up and in great shape.

Great course and perfect to satisfy your golf craving. Pace of play was fast and the staff were incredibly nice. The weather was great in the morning, though the wind picks up a lot in the afternoon.

Poor customer service and not worth the price. Only thing good about this course is the driving range

Nice decent course. Greens are in great shape and rolls true. Back nine gets a little windy since its closer to the Bay

Newly manicured fairways. Less rough don't go left lots of trouble. Bring a few extra balls.

Maybe 5 weeks now after aeration and the greens are playing fast. Putts are rolling even with hints of sand on the green. Fairways are in good condition other than #2 which is undergoing repair on the left rough.

i was not prepared for the need to strategize my stroke for nearly every single hole, which was a very nice surprise. bunkers play a role in every single hole; i spent a good amount of time using the sand wedge. fairways are not as wide as some of the courses i've played on, so that added some additional complexity. the greens were running well and the course is maintained. i lost more balls in out of bound areas than i have ever...
for the price you pay, i would definitely recommend this course...it offers a great layout, challenges on many holes, and just a great overall experience.

had a 12:45 tee time. That's about the time the wind starts up here. The course was well kept and the pace was nice. The marshall saw that the group teeing off ahead of us were beginners. He took the initiative to ask them if they would'nt mind letting my friend and I hit through. Thanks. Bring extra balls on the windy day. 50-80 yrd differance depending on the direction you are going. Always a good time here.

Paid $15 to play back nine before 8 am. took driver out on every hole but 2 holes. Greens are in great shape and staff is always nice.

When the wind is up this can be a tough course. I often find myself playing shots i have never played before to counteract the wind (50 yard punch 5i over a trap anybody...?) Greens tend to be in good shape as well. Has some long par 3's to test your irons. All in all i find myself playing here a few times a year.

P.S. Watch out for the fox...he not only takes your lunches but your phones too...