Next Time You Tee Off, Do It by the Sea

In all the years of my golf travels,Monterey, California, is theprettiest and most enjoyableplace I have visited. If you've neverhad the fortunate opportunity to takean early morning swing underneathMonterey's rising sun, you may wantto think about finding the time inyour busy schedule to visit thisgolfer's paradise. With its mild year-roundtemperatures, myriad of visitorattractions (eg, Cannery Row, OldFisherman's Wharf, and MontereyBay Aquarium), and natural beauty,you won't be disappointed.

THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS

A trip to the Monterey Peninsulais always special, but it doesn't haveto cost you a fortune. Monterey BayGolf Outings (831-375-4313; www.foypeninsula.com) feature 2- and 3-day packages that include rooms atthe Hilton Scotts Valley Hotel (888-445-3010; www.hiltonscottsvalley.com) and rounds at some of thebest nonpebble golf courses inMonterey County. For under $1000you can stay 4 nights and play 3days of golf at some of MontereyPeninsula's best courses: Bayonet,Black Horse, and Tehàma.

Brother and sister 18-hole courses,Bayonet and Black Horse (831-899-7271; bayonetblackhorse.com)are located right next to each otheron the same grounds. Originallyintended for use as an Army trainingfacility, Bayonet was constructed in1954 and opened to great acclaim.Bayonet's success lead to the openingof a second championship golfcourse: Black Horse. Steeped both inrich tradition and beauty, these publiccourses have been host to some ofAmerica's greatest golfers (eg,Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, andTom Watson).

DIRTY HARRY'S HEAVEN

Tehàma Golf Club (831-622-2200; www.tehamagolfclub.com) isanother "must-tee" destination. Situatedhigh above Carmel Valleyand Monterey Bay, this private golfclub is owned by famous actor ClintEastwood. Besides its breathtakingviews, you'll experience a coursedesigned by renowned golf coursearchitect Jay Moorish, whose coursesrank in the top 100. You'll findthat playing a round of golf atTehàma is more than just enjoyable—it's heavenly.

So whether it's scenic views,rugged golf courses, or just a breakfrom life's everyday demands, you'llfind it in Monterey. And if you're apicky golfer who likes choices, thisis the place for you. There are currently23 places to practice yourstrokes. Of course, if money is nooption, there's always the courseknown as "the greatest meeting ofland, sea, and sky": world-famousgolf resort Pebble Beach.

Adrian Daviesis a former European

Tour player and European

director of golf for David

Leadbetter. He has been a PGA

Class A professional for 19 years

and is currently a coach and

advisor to PGA Tour player Frank Lickliter.

He welcomes questions or comments at

adavies@palmergolf.com.

If you have a product that you would like featured in

A Dose of Distraction, please contact Grace Henry at

732-656-1140 ext 105 or ghenry@mwc.com.