Monterey Peninsula's Black Horse Golf Course to host U.S. Open qualifier

In an announcement that should come as no surprise, the Bayonet Course at Bayonet/Black Horse Golf Club in Seaside, Calif., on the Monterey Peninsula will host a U.S. Open qualifier this year.

The course, which a little over a year ago came out of $13 million renovation, is a great test for the country and world’s best players. At all bentgrass, competitors can expect terrific, but difficult playing conditions. Ironically, whoever qualifies won’t have far to go with the U.S. Open being played just down the road at Pebble Beach June 17-20, which is just 15 minutes away.

“We take great pride in our affiliation with the USGA and NCGA and we?re honored to be involved in the 2010 U.S. Open competition,” said Dick Fitzgerald, project director for owner/operator Seaside Resort Development. “Bayonet is widely considered to be one of the most difficult courses in California and it will challenge the area?s best players. With the numerous enhancements from the Gene Bates redesign, it will also provide a fair test of golf from tee to green.”

The most striking aspect of the Bayonet and Black Horse renovations is how beautiful both the courses are. But after playing Bayonet in particular, I can also tell you, it’s a difficult golf course. Firm greens, lots of tough bunkers and some really difficult holes like the uphill 9th means that whoever comes out this qualifier will be battle tested.

So if you’re looking to qualify, get your handicap down to 1.4 or lower, sign up and pray for a few breaks. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of scores these guys shoot there.