Traveling north along the Pacific Coast Highway from the resort community
of Monterey lies the City of Seaside. In the heart of this city, the U.S.
Army purchased a tract of land to be used as a training facility, which
was, named Fort Ord in honor of General Edward Otho Cresap Ord - a famed
Civil War Veteran.
It was upon this great land that General Robert B. McClure constructed the
Bayonet Golf Course in 1954. Bayonet was named after the 7th Infantry
"Light Fighter" Division (nicknamed the "Bayonet Division.") It has been
said that General McClure was a "left-handed" golfer with an all too common
fade. The General managed to effectively reduce his handicap with a little
creative architecture in the design of the Bayonet Golf Course. Holes #11-#15,
a series of sharp doglegs, widely known as "Combat Corner" are interrupted
only by a 226-yard uphill par 3.
Due to Bayonet`s initial acclaim, Fort Ord decided to expand the course
and in 1964 a second 18-hole championship course was officially
opened - Black Horse. The course was named in honor of the 11th Calvary
Regiment (nicknamed "Black Horse") which was stationed across the Bay at
the Presidio of Monterey from 1919-1940.
In conjunction with the Defense Realignment Closure, the Fort Ord Military
Base was ordered closed. Under this legislation, the military was required
to sell the base to local municipalities.
On January 16, 1997, after being purchased by the City of Seaside, BSL Golf
Corporation was selected as the management firm to oversee the day to day
activities of Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses.
Under the management of BSL, Bayonet and Black Horse are gaining more and
more recognition. They have quickly emerged as popular public and
championship courses, and they continue to hold their place amongst the
best golf courses on the Monterey Peninsula. Both courses are steeped in
rich tradition, and have played host to PGA Tour greats such as Palmer,
Nicklaus, and Watson, as well as several U.S. Presidents and foreign
dignitaries.
Previously only enjoyed by military personnel stationed at Fort Ord,
these magnificent courses have only recently been opened to the public,
and many who would never have had the opportunity to play them finally
have that chance.
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