Black Horse Golf Club
Seaside, California – 1 McClure Way, Seaside, CA 93955
About Black Horse Golf Club
Black Horse opened in 1964 as the second 18-hole course built on Fort Ord, the U.S. Army training base outside Seaside. It was routed by General Edwin Carnes, the post's Commanding General from April 1963 to June 1965, and named for the 11th Cavalry Regiment — the "Black Horse" outfit stationed at the Presidio of Monterey from 1919 to 1940. When Fort Ord closed in 1994, the City of Seaside purchased the 36-hole facility in 1997 and kept both courses open to the public.
On the course
The layout was completely re-sculpted by architect Gene Bates in a renovation that delivered new tees, fairways, greens, and bunkering on every hole. Bates kept much of the original routing but redirected several holes, most notably the par-4 14th and the par-3 15th, which was created during the renovation and plays toward Monterey Bay. All 36 holes were re-grassed with Jacklin T1 bentgrass and given new drainage and irrigation. The course now plays 7,024 yards to a par 72 — ten par 4s, four par 3s, four par 5s — with a slope of 141 and a rating of 73.7 from the tips.
Who it suits
The terrain rolls through former military land in the hills above the bay, with fescue-framed fairways, serrated-edge bunkers, and contoured greens. Compared with its sister Bayonet course, Black Horse has wider fairways and more forgiving bunkers but trickier, more undulating greens, and it is generally considered the more playable of the two. Four sets of tees make it workable for a range of handicaps, while the back tees and the 141 slope give low-handicap players a serious test. It has hosted PGA Tour Qualifying School pre-qualifying events and suits golfers who want a Monterey Peninsula round with ocean views at a fraction of Pebble Beach pricing.
Architect: General Edwin Carnes (1964); Gene Bates (2008 renovation) · Opened: 1964
Course Details
- 18 Holes
- Par 72
- 7,024 Yards
- Course Rating 73.7
- Slope 141
- Practice Facilities: Driving range · Practice green · Pro shop
- Tee Time Prices: $75 – $195
- Phone: (831) 899-7271
- Address: 1 McClure Way, Seaside, CA 93955
Course Record
63 set on September 13, 2012 during PGA Tour Qualifying School Pre-Qualifying (7,024-yard, par-72 layout).
Notable Facts About Black Horse Golf Club
- Opened in 1964 as the second course at Fort Ord, named in honor of the 11th Cavalry Regiment (nicknamed 'Black Horse') that was stationed at the Presidio of Monterey from 1919 to 1940.
- Underwent a $13 million renovation completed in 2008, overseen by architect Gene Bates, who was hired by Seaside Resort Development to rework the two former military courses.
- Bates transformed the layout from a tightly tree-lined design to a more open, flowing environment, keeping much of the original routing while adding notable new holes including the par-3 15th that faces Monterey Bay.
Book Tee Times at Black Horse Golf Club
Black Horse Golf Club is an 18-hole par-72 public golf course in Seaside, California. Tee times currently range from $75 to $195. Compare live rates and book online through Golf The Bay.
More Golf Courses in Seaside
- Bayonet Golf Course – 18 holes, par 72, 7,104 yds
More Golf Courses in Monterey
- Bayonet Golf Course – Seaside, 18 holes, par 72, 7,104 yds
- Carmel Valley Ranch – Carmel, 18 holes, par 70, 6,117 yds
- Corral de Tierra Country Club – Salinas, 18 holes, par 72, 6,688 yds
- Del Monte Golf Course – Monterey, 18 holes, par 72, 6,357 yds
- Laguna Seca Golf Ranch – Monterey, 18 holes, par 71, 6,161 yds
- Monterey Pines Golf Club – Monterey, 18 holes, par 69, 5,609 yds
- Pacific Grove Golf Links – Pacific Grove, 18 holes, par 70, 5,732 yds
- Pajaro Valley Golf Club – Royal Oaks, 18 holes, par 72, 6,198 yds