Played Monarch today and was very very pleasantly surprised. My 1st time there in nearly 3 years. Wasnt staying away on purpose, just never had much reason to head out there. I use to play there alot in the mig-to-late 90's before they rebuilt it, and played it twice after it was rebuilt. My memories of a few years back was that it wasnt in the greatest shape even after the rebuild and they had let some insane gorse grow up around the perimeter of all the bunkers, the type where your ball could be 6 inches off the fairway and lost.

BUT, was really happy with the conditions today. The fairways were in good shape and even though they are due to be punched late next week, the greens are in fantastic condition. Being essentially San Leandro Muni, I was also really really impressed with the condition of the bunkers. Nice fluffy sand, not too wet, not too dry, you could easily sink a wedge under your ball with a good swing and have it pop out nicely. They've also shaved down the perimeters of all the bunkers (and no more dreaded gorse!) so its not a major penalty nor does it get lost in the thick stuff around the sand. They have let a lot of the rough around the various tee boxes grow out, but its very nicely maintained, and I think it adds some nice personality to the course and gets some of the Scottish Links feel they are going for. However, we saw a few groups on bordering fairways looking for topped tee shots right in front of a number of tee boxes, so toppers beware.

2 of the par 3's are over 175 from the whites and pushing 200 from the Golds, so they're a good test. The 3 par 5's are reachable in 2 for medium-to-big hitters from the whites. My buddy Chris (a 5 index) eagled #5 and didn't really have to kill it off the tee on that hole. I thought #13 used to be a short par-5 back in the day but its a monster par-4 now-450 from the whites, 470 from the golds. Don't even mess with trying to clear the bunkers in the middle of the fairway on the short par-4 14th, its just not worth it, laying up in front of them still only leaves you 100 yards, and even if you manage to clear them, the dogleg turns real quick after the bunkers and if you pull it the slightest bit, its OB in a hurry. Lastly, don't hold out too much hope to come back in your match on #18 if you're playing the whites. It might be the easiest par-4 in all of the Bay Area, 275 yards with only greenside bunkers in your way.

Teed off at 7:00 am on the dot and played in 3 hrs 15 mins, would have been quicker but they sent out a foursome to play the back 9 as we were putting out on the 9th green, but we passed them on the 12th hole. No wind to speak of, but thats probably my only warning about choosing this course, being up against the marina and Bay, you would not want to be playing there in a stiff wind. Playing early, you should be fine.

Would definetely recommend playing Monarch again if you haven't been there in a few years, I know I'll be back in the next month or two myself.