The Historic Timeline of Del Monte Golf Course

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Layout of Bay of Monterey

Since 1897, Del Monte Golf Course has been host to many pioneering moments and great traditions. Explore this historic timeline for a glimpse into the impressive history of our renowned California golf course.

1900

1903

Del Monte is expanded to become one of the first 18-hole golf courses in California.

1910

1912

Del Monte was further expanded using many of the same greens. The revised course included the creation of the Del Monte Golf and Country Club, which was incorporated January 17, 1912.

1916

Heinrich Schmidt wins the Western Golf Association Amateur Championship at Del Monte Golf Course, marking the first time the event is played west of the Continental Divide.

1920

1920

To help show off the new courses at Del Monte and Pebble Beach, on December 24, 1922, Walter Hagen makes a stop as a part of his national promotional tour that follows his British Open victory.

Hagen and traveling companion Joe Kirkwood defeat local pros Mortie Dutra and Peter Hay six-and-four in a 36-hole match that includes 18 holes at Pebble Beach in the morning, and concludes in the afternoon at Del Monte.

1940

1943

Del Monte Golf Course remains open under a skeleton crew that is managed by the City of Monterey. Photography by Julian P. Graham

1948

Bill Kynoch, who once drove the caddie bus, is named head professional at Del Monte in 1948 and joins the triumvirate of other peninsula pros (L to R) Peter Hay (PBGL), Cam Puget (MPCC) and Henry Puget (CPC) that had earlier served Del Monte. Photography by Julian P. Graham

1960

1967

This corner of Del Monte Golf Course—once the site of holes #15, #16, #17, #18 and #1—is lost to the new Highway One and Hyatt Hotel in the 1960’s, necessitating the move of the pro shop, as the old hole #2 becomes the new hole #1.

1970

1970

Roger Larson, then Golf Operations Manager for Pebble Beach Resorts, tries out the new holes he designed to lengthen the course.

1972

In 1972, Harold Firstman—then the pro at Laguna Seca—created the Pro-Am tournament now known as the Pebble Beach Invitational and ran it for more than 30 years.

1990

1995

The Duke’s Club begins offering special rates for members.

1997

Del Monte Golf Course celebrates its centennial by hosting an interclub championship of centennial courses from around the world and opening its new pavilion.

2000

2005

Hale Irwin wins the 2005 First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, played at Del Monte Golf Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links.