A Good Test, Without Going to Great Lengths

It turns out that Monarch Beach Golf Links isn’t such a pushover after all.

A glance at the scorecard for the oceanfront course in Dana Point makes a less-than-intimidating impression with a length of 6,582 yards from the back tees, and the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed layout has the reputation of an easy course.

With a 315-yard par four, a 512-yard par five, a 150-yard par three and four par-four holes measuring less than 400 yards, it may seem too short and easy for a professional tournament, but that isn’t the case according to pros who will tee off at Monarch Beach today in the Hyundai Team Matches, which feature players from all three major American professional tours.

Participants say the reputation is unfounded. Gary McCord, playing with Tom Kite in the Senior PGA Tour portion of the team matches, said the tricky greens with severe undulations should keep everyone honest.

“It’s like years ago, a bunch of Baleen Whales washed up on shore and instead of putting them back at sea, they buried them under the greens,” McCord said. “You’ve got some humpbacks under there and some big blues....You’re going to see players slap-happy trying to negotiate these greens.”

Still, the course needed toughening up to challenge players from the PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA tours. It has been lengthened more than 300 yards and bunkers have been added throughout the course.

Twelve of the 18 holes have had some sort of renovation in the past two years. That was part of a long-term plan even without the team matches, but helped in attracting the event, which has been played at Pelican Hill the last two years.

“At its old length, it could have been too short,” said Alan Deck, director of golf at Monarch Beach. “But I don’t think you can build a course long enough for players today. This course got a little bit of an unfair reputation because of the length, but it’s an undeserving reputation. I’ve never seen people fire super low numbers.”

The course record at Monarch Beach is 65, only five under par. The format of this weekend’s tournament, best-ball match play, will keep that record safe but should also foster some aggressive play.

“There are really a couple of ways you can play this course,” said Joe Durant, who is partnered with Skip Kendall. “It’s not a long golf course, but you have to be careful.”

The PGA, Senior and LPGA tours will compete independently in best-ball matches. The winners today play each other Sunday.

Tom Lehman and Duffy Waldorf are the defending champions for the PGA Tour and Juli Inkster and Dottie Pepper are four-time defending LPGA champions. Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus have won the last two senior titles, but Nicklaus withdrew last week with a sore back. Andy North has replaced him as Watson’s partner.

SCHEDULE

What: Hyundai Team Matches

When: Today and Sunday

Where: Monarch Beach Golf Links, Dana Point

TV: Today, 1 p.m., Ch. 7; Sunday, 1 p.m., Ch. 7

Tee Times: 9:50 a.m.--Tom Watson/Andy North vs. Arnold Palmer/Bruce Fleisher; 10--Tom Kite/Gary Mc-Cord vs. Allen Doyle/Dana Quigley; 10:10--Tom Lehman/Duffy Waldorf vs. Joe Durant/Skip Kendall; 10:20--Fred Couples/Mark Calcavecchia vs. David Toms/Steve Flesch; 10:30--Juli Inkster/Dottie Pepper vs. Grace Park/Wendy Ward; 10:40--Lorie Kane/Janice Moodie vs. Karrie Webb/Kelly Robbins.