Monarch Bay Golf Club's Tony Lema Course sits on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay at the San Leandro Marina. The original layout opened in 1983 as the San Leandro Golf Club, designed by William F. Bell. Architect John Harbottle III overhauled the course, which reopened in 2001 under the Monarch Bay name. It honors Tony Lema, the Bay Area native who won 12 PGA Tour events and the 1964 British Open; memorabilia from his career is displayed in the clubhouse.

On the course

The Tony Lema Course plays 7,015 yards to a par of 71, making it the second-longest par 71 in California. Harbottle's redesign gave the course Scottish links characteristics suited to its bayfront setting, with firm turf, exposed routing, and protected wetland areas threading between holes. The property has views of the bay from every hole, along with sightlines to the San Francisco skyline, the Peninsula, the Bay Bridge, and the San Mateo Bridge. Wind off the water is a constant factor, and prevailing afternoon breezes make the course play considerably longer than the scorecard suggests.

Who it suits

The facility also includes the 9-hole, par-30 Marina Course, a parkland-style executive layout measuring 1,734 yards, plus a lighted two-tier driving range with a 7-acre natural grass landing area. The Tap-In Restaurant Patio overlooks the 1st and 10th tees. The Tony Lema Course suits players who want a full-length championship test at a municipal price point and who don't mind battling wind; the wide fairways look forgiving but the rough and bay-adjacent hazards punish errant shots. Beginners and shorter hitters are better served by the Marina nine.

Architect: William F. Bell / John Harbottle III · Opened: 1983