Black Horse Golf Course

The par-72 layout opens toward Monterey Bay, with fescue-framed fairways, shaped bunkers and greens that differ from the tighter neighboring Bayonet course.

History and design

Black Horse opened on the former Fort Ord site in 1964 and was named for the 11th Cavalry Regiment. Architect Gene Bates later reshaped every hole with new tees, fairways, greens and bunkers. The operator says the renovation opened sightlines to the bay while preserving much of the original route.

The redesign moved the par-4 14th from the steeper line formerly nicknamed Cardiac Hill into a clearer dogleg left. Bates placed fairway bunkers on both sides and built a two-tier green with a false front. The new 15th is a bay-facing par 3 with bunkers to the right and collection areas beyond the target. Wind and exposed approaches make the restored landscape play differently from its former tree-lined form.

Playing the course

The redesigned 14th climbs to a two-tier green with a false front. The next hole is a par 3 facing the bay, where the prevailing wind complicates the tee shot and bunkers protect the right side. Those holes show the elevation and exposure that distinguish Black Horse from Bayonet.

Turf and practice

The facility began interseeding ryegrass into Black Horse fairways and tees in 2023. The operator describes the change as a way to improve wear tolerance and recovery. The ryegrass program followed the bentgrass surfaces installed during the Bates renovation.

Before the round, players can use the shared Bayonet and Black Horse practice facility with grass tees, target greens, two short-game areas and a putting green beside the golf shop.

Before you book

Bayonet and Black Horse share a clubhouse at 1 McClure Way, Seaside, but have separate scorecards and tee times. Select Black Horse when booking. For the current course tour and scorecard, see the Black Horse operator page.