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5 Shocking Facts About Del Monte Golf Course: The Oldest Course You Can Actually Play (2025 Update)

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As of December 19, 2025, the historic Del Monte Golf Course continues its legacy as one of the most accessible and challenging courses on the Monterey Peninsula, hosting major events like the 2025 Monterey Open Championship. This venerable track, often overshadowed by its more famous sibling, Pebble Beach Golf Links, is not just a destination for a round of golf; it is a living museum, offering a unique parkland-style experience steeped in over a century of California golf history. Managed by the prestigious Pebble Beach Company, Del Monte provides a perfect blend of challenging play, rich heritage, and year-round accessibility that makes it essential for any golfer visiting the area.

The course’s enduring appeal lies in its classic design and its pivotal role in establishing golf in the Western United States. While many historic courses have succumbed to modern development, Del Monte remains on its original site, inviting golfers to walk the same fairways where the game first took hold in California. Its current condition and continued hosting of elite amateur tournaments confirm its status as a premier, yet often underrated, gem.

The Undeniable History and Biography of a Golf Pioneer

The story of Del Monte Golf Course is inextricably linked to the birth of resort golf in the American West, beginning with the grand and opulent Hotel Del Monte.

  • Course Name: Del Monte Golf Course
  • Location: Monterey, California, USA (Monterey Peninsula)
  • Opened: May 1, 1897 (as a 9-hole course)
  • Designer/Architect: Charles E. Maud (Englishman)
  • Expansion to 18 Holes: 1902/1903
  • Current Owner/Operator: Pebble Beach Company (Pebble Beach Resorts)
  • Original Affiliation: Hotel Del Monte
  • Course Style: Traditional Parkland
  • Yardage (Blue Tees): 6,357 yards
  • Par: 72
  • Course Rating / Slope (Blue Tees): 71.6 / 131
  • Key Distinction: Oldest golf course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River.
  • Major Events Hosted (2025): Monterey Open Championship, Monterey City Amateur, Christmas Classic.

The original nine-hole layout was designed by the English architect Charles E. Maud in 1897, a time when golf was still a foreign curiosity in the United States. Maud is also credited with the expansion to 18 holes around 1902 or 1903, solidifying the course’s place in history. The course was built to entertain the wealthy clientele of the Hotel Del Monte, which was renowned as one of the grandest resorts ever constructed. Today, the magnificent Hotel Del Monte building is no longer a resort, but serves as Herrmann Hall at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), a fascinating piece of its enduring legacy.

5 Shocking Facts That Define Del Monte’s Legacy

While Pebble Beach Golf Links gets the international spotlight, Del Monte holds a series of historical and design distinctions that are truly surprising to most golfers.

1. Del Monte is the True "Mother Course" of Pebble Beach

It is a little-known fact that Del Monte is the progenitor of the entire Pebble Beach golf empire. When the Del Monte Properties Company began developing the surrounding land, they initially considered the oceanfront property for a second golf course. That "second course" was eventually renamed Pebble Beach Golf Links. Essentially, without the success and foundation laid by Del Monte, the world-famous Pebble Beach might never have been conceived. This makes Del Monte the undisputed "mother course" of the entire resort.

2. The Course Puts a Premium on Accuracy, Not Just Distance

In an era of 7,500-yard monster courses, Del Monte stands at a modest 6,357 yards from the back tees. However, do not be fooled by the yardage. The traditional parkland-style layout features narrow fairways lined densely with towering oak, pine, and cypress trees. The original design by Charles E. Maud brings out-of-bounds into play on more than half of the holes, demanding precision off the tee. This traditional design philosophy forces golfers to prioritize ball placement over sheer power, a refreshing challenge compared to modern layouts.

3. It Hosts Major Amateur Events in the Current Year (2025)

Despite its age, Del Monte is not just a historical relic; it is a competitive proving ground. The course continues to host significant amateur events, confirming its quality and challenge. Recent and upcoming tournaments include the prestigious 2025 Monterey Open Championship, the 2025 Monterey City Amateur, and the annual Christmas Classic. The fact that the Pebble Beach Company entrusts these high-profile tournaments to Del Monte demonstrates its enduring relevance and immaculate conditioning.

4. It Features Two Infamous, Named Signature Holes

The course’s difficulty is crystallized in its named signature holes, which have been challenging golfers for over a century. The most notorious is the "Waterloo" (Hole 7), a hole known for its strategic complexity. Another demanding test is the Par-5 13th hole, often described as "treacherous" due to its length and layout. The greens are typically well-bunkered, placing a premium on approach shots and requiring golfers to place the ball below the hole to avoid tricky downhill putts.

5. It is the Most Accessible Pebble Beach Course for Visitors

While securing a tee time at Pebble Beach Golf Links or Spyglass Hill Golf Course often requires an expensive stay at a Pebble Beach Resort property, Del Monte is the most accessible of the resort’s courses. Non-resort guests can typically book tee times up to two months in advance. The visitor green fee is significantly lower, making it a bucket-list experience that is financially attainable. For frequent players, the Pebble Beach Company even offers the Duke's Club Membership, providing reduced green fees and exclusive perks at Del Monte and other resort courses.

Essential Guide for Planning Your Del Monte Tee Time

Playing the oldest course west of the Mississippi requires a bit of preparation. Here is what you need to know about booking, fees, and course etiquette.

Current Green Fees and Booking Policy

Tee times at Del Monte are highly sought after due to its history and value. Non-resort guests should plan to book well in advance, as tee times open up approximately 60 days out. As of the most recent updates, the visitor fee for 18 holes is highly competitive for the region, often starting around $125 (plus a cart fee of about $25), though third-party bookings may show prices starting around $165 depending on the time of day and season.

  • Booking Tip: Always check the official Pebble Beach Resorts website or call the pro shop directly for the most current rates and availability. Online booking through third-party sites is also an option.
  • Resort Guest Perk: Guests staying at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay, or Casa Palmero receive priority booking, often up to 18 months in advance.

Dress Code and Amenities

As a course managed by Pebble Beach Resorts, Del Monte maintains a standard of proper golf attire, ensuring a respectful and traditional atmosphere.

  • Required Attire: Collared shirts or mock turtlenecks are mandatory. Golf slacks or appropriate golf shorts are required. Denim, t-shirts, and tank tops are not permitted.
  • Footwear: Soft-spike golf shoes or athletic shoes are required.
  • Facilities: The course features a full Clubhouse with a Bar, Grill, and Restaurant, offering impeccable catering services often managed by The Lodge at Pebble Beach for corporate outings and tournaments.

Del Monte Golf Course is much more than a warm-up round for Pebble Beach. It is a historically significant, strategically challenging, and surprisingly accessible course that offers a quintessential California golf experience. Its continued relevance, proven by the hosting of 2025's major championships, ensures that the legacy of Charles E. Maud’s design will continue to influence and challenge golfers for generations to come.

5 Shocking Facts About Del Monte Golf Course: The Oldest Course You Can Actually Play (2025 Update)
del monte golf course
del monte golf course

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