May 1 – Del Monte Golf Course opens as a 9-hole golf course, making it the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi still on its original site. In 1903, it was made into an 18-hole golf course.
The Historic Timeline of Del Monte Golf Course
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.
May 1, 1897
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.