Monarch Bay Golf Course (Tony Lema)

Named in memory of San Leandro native and 1964 Open Championship winner Tony Lema, the Scottish links-style course stretches to 7,015 yards at a par of 71, with wide bay views, coastal breezes, and firm, rolling fairways that reward thoughtful shot-making. With its bayfront setting, welcoming clubhouse, and practice facilities, it is one of the East Bay's most popular daily-fee golf destinations.

Course History

The course carries the name of Anthony "Champagne Tony" Lema (1934-1966), a San Leandro native who became one of golf's most charismatic stars of the mid-1960s. Lema captured the 1964 Open Championship at the Old Course at St Andrews and was a Ryder Cup standout before his life was cut short at age 32 in a July 1966 plane crash near Chicago. In 1983, San Leandro dedicated this bayfront public course to his memory as the Tony Lema Golf Course.

In 2001, the facility was extensively overhauled and reopened as Monarch Bay Golf Club, with the 18-hole Tony Lema Course reimagined in a Scottish links style alongside the shorter Marina Course. The redesign gave the layout the rolling, wind-swept character it is known for today while preserving its namesake's legacy.

The Design & Architecture

The 2001 redesign, led by golf course architect John Harbottle III, transformed the property into a links-inspired test that plays firm and fast when the bay winds pick up. Stretching to 7,015 yards from the back tees at a par of 71, the course features generous but contoured fairways, strategically placed bunkering, and Poa Annua fairways with Bentgrass greens. Water and marshland tied to the adjacent San Francisco Bay come into play on several holes, adding both scenic beauty and strategic challenge.

Playing the Course

With a course rating of 73.9 and a slope of 126, the Tony Lema Course offers a fair but demanding round for players of all abilities. The wind off San Francisco Bay is the defining factor, often turning short holes into stern challenges and rewarding golfers who can flight the ball low and control their distances. Multiple tee options let recreational players enjoy the bay views while low handicappers test themselves from the tips, and the open, walkable layout keeps rounds moving at a comfortable pace.

Know Before You Go

• Public, daily-fee course open to all golfers; tee times can be booked online in advance.

• Located at 13800 Monarch Bay Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577, along the San Leandro Marina; call (510) 895-2162 for information.

• A driving range and practice facilities are available on site to warm up before your round.

• Bring an extra layer and plan for wind, as the bayfront setting can be breezy and cool even on sunny days.