Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses in Seaside offer elite golf on the Monterey Peninsula

SEASIDE, Calif. - After a $13 million renovation completed in 2008, the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses have taken their place among the elite venues on the Monterey Peninsula.

Seaside Resort Development hired architect Gene Bates to oversee the renovation of the two former military courses, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

The work included the trimming and clearing the underbrush of the thousands of cypress trees and California live oaks and the removal of non-healthy trees. Tees were rebuilt, bunkers were added with bright white sand and holes and corridors were rerouted. Now you can see Monterey Bay from several locations from around the golf course.

The courses also got new turfgrass. The whole course was reseeded with the relatively new Jacklin T1 bentgrass - a rich, dark-green strain specifically developed to hold its own against California natives. Fescue now surrounds the bentgrass rough.

As for the golf courses, Bayonet, which was named after the Army's 7th Infantry Division, is considered the tougher of the two, having hosted many important tournaments in its history that dates back to 1954. At 7,104 yards, this par 72 is a difficult test with its tight fairways, tough bunkering and subtle firm and quick greens.

The Black Horse golf course is slightly shorter and not that much easier, considering that the greens have more undulation to them. The style of the bunkers is also different with Black Horse featuring sand traps with serrated edges.

Black Horse golf course - hole 18

Fairway bunkers loom large on the 605-yard par-5 finishing hole on the Black Horse Course.

Courtesy of Bayonet/Black Horse

Black Horse golf course in Seaside - hole 18

The 18th hole on the at Black Horse golf course, as seen from above, clearly brings in views of Monterey Bay now.

Courtesy of Bayonet/Black Horse

Bayonet G.C. - hole 17

The 225-yard par-3 17th on the Bayonet Course is part of a tough finishing stretch.

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Bayonet golf course - hole 9

At 476 yards from the tips, the uphill ninth on the Bayonet course is one of the most difficult par 4s on the West Coast.

Courtesy of Bayonet/Black Horse

Bayonet golf course in Seaside - hole 3

The short par-4 third on the Bayonet golf course is anything but a breather.

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Bayonet golf course in Seaside - hole 3

At 613 yards, par is an excellent score on the par-5 eighth on the Bayonet Course.

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Bayonet G.C. in Seaside - hole 18

The 527-yard par-5 18th on the Bayonet golf course is a nice risk-reward finishing hole.

Courtesy of Bayonet/Black Horse

Bayonet G.C. on the Monterey Peninsula - hole 2

Bayonet's 436-yard second hole lets you know early on that you're in for a tough test.

Julio Rodriguez

Hole 1 on the Black Horse golf course

The Black Horse golf course opens with a birdie opportunity, the 535-yard par-5 first hole.

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Hole 15 on the Black Horse golf course

At 224 yards, the par-3 15th hole on the Black Horse course presents plenty of challenge.

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Hole 5 - Black Horse golf course in Seaside

The fifth hole on the Black Horse course isn't particularly long, but it can be tricky with little room for error around the green.

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Black Horse golf course in Seaside - hole 7

Black Horse's seventh hole is a 395-yard par 4 with great views of the bay.

Courtesy of Bayonet/Black Horse

Black Horse G.C. in Seaside - hole 8

The eighth hole on the Black Horse golf course in Seaside, Calif. is a medium length par 5.

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Black Horse golf course - hole 9

Old-style fairway bunkers provide protection to the par-4 ninth on the Black Horse golf course.

Courtesy of Bayonet/Black Horse

Black Horse at Bayonet/Black Horse Golf Course

The Black Horse was built after the unexpected popularity of its sister course the Bayonet that was built 10 years prior in 1954. Situated on the site of the former Fort Ord, both share a rich military history. Both also offer unrivaled vistas of Monterey Bay, but the more open nature of Black Horse allows for more panoramic views

The Bayonet at Bayonet/Black Horse Golf Course

For a variety of reasons, some of which include the challenging layouts and stunning views over the Monterey Peninsula, the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses have hosted to numerous PGA legends such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as well as several U.S. Presidents and foreign dignitaries.

Also see these nearby courses: