Groups meeting at the 400-room St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif., can now take advantage of the Monarch Beach Golf Links without having to dedicate an entire day to golfing. The Beachcomber Teambuilding Packages provide a variety of ways to play golf so that both pro golfers and beginners can enjoy the oceanfront course—and can work together doing so.
“We recognized that early mornings and afternoons were being underutilized by our corporate groups,” says Eric Lohman, general manager of the Monarch Beach Golf Links at the St. Regis Monarch Beach. “We developed the Beachcomber Teambuilding Packages for our guests to take advantage of our promotional pricing and event creativity during off-peak times of the day. This provides these special programs the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the game of golf while cultivating relationships amongst their colleagues.”
Meeting planners can choose from a variety of 3-hour Beachcomber Teambuilding Packages. Some of the more conventional golf options include playing nine holes on the Ocean Loop and Canyon Holes, playing five holes on the Ocean Loop after a golf clinic or a 2-hour instruction clinic. The resort’s PGA general manager, PGA head golf professional or director of instruction will conduct the clinics, which guarantee a six-to-one, student-to-teaching pro ratio.
Less conventional golf activities such as Starting New At Golf (SNAG) games are also available for beginners. This colorful target course encourages attendees to use tennis ball–sized golf balls to hit Velcro targets—one of which is a Velcro, full-body suit to be used by a brave boss or employee willing to serve as a standing target. Other activities include a golf demonstration exhibition with two professional golfers; course contests with prizes for chipping, putting and long drives; or a master golf club fitting and testing experience. Groups can also play a game of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf in which the balls, pins, holes and out-of-bounds lines glow.
The St. Regis Monarch Beach features 30,000 sf of indoor meeting space as well as 60,000 sf of outdoor event space, including a lush botanical garden, gazebos, spacious lawns and ocean-view terraces. The variety of meeting spaces allows meeting planners to get creative and even customize teambuilding options off the golf course.
“We can tailor any program to be in line with our meeting planner’s desires and wishes,” says Kelly Snyder, director of marketing for the St. Regis Monarch Beach. “Whether it’s 18 on the greens, a cooking class or some yoga by the sea, we are ready to provide a memorable experience.”
