Pebble Beach Co., Hanse Golf Course Design to redesign The Links at Spanish Bay in California

 Pebble Beach Company and Hanse Golf Course Design (HGCD) plans to redesign The Links at Spanish Bay, one of four championship courses at Pebble Beach Resorts. After the last round is played on March 17, 2026, the comprehensive redesign will elevate the course’s quality of experience to rival its neighbors along Pebble Beach’s famed 17-Mile Drive.  

Under the guidance of Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and the HGCD team, who were inspired by Monterey Peninsula’s other iconic courses, the 38-year-old Spanish Bay will be entirely reworked to take full advantage of its stunning coastal setting. The finished product will be more fun, playable and strategic for all golfers, while also better suited to challenge today’s elite player. Some of the key changes will include: 

·         Relocating several green sites, including the current 14th and 18th holes, creating room for an entirely new par-three that will replace the current 13th hole  

·         Expanding putting greens by ~40 percent and completely resurfacing to provide smoother, more receptive targets and variety for hole locations 

·         Replacing the rough in the green surrounds with low-cut turf to offer more recovery options  

·         Widening fairways by ~30 percent, repositioning fairway bunkers, and adjusting contours to make the playing corridors more forgiving and strategic 

·         Repositioning and redesigning tee complexes to open sight lines and options, reduce forced carries, and elicit excitement at each hole. In total, the forward tees will be ~500 yards shorter (4,705 total) and the championship tees ~375 yards longer (7,115 total) with the par changing from 72 to 71 

·         Redesigning the cart path system to better blend into the landscape 

The course’s year-round conditioning and sustainability will be improved with new drainage and irrigation systems, 12 percent less irrigated turf, and three more acres of environmental habitat area.   

 “Working on a project like this is a golf course architect’s dream,” said Hanse, president and lead designer of HGCD. “The Spanish Bay site is one of the best we’ve seen for golf, one where all your senses are stimulated by the crashing Pacific surf, and we are excited by Pebble Beach Company’s commitment to creating another extraordinary golf experience on the Monterey Peninsula. This opportunity truly brings out the golf fan in me as much as the designer.”  

 Added David Stivers, CEO of the Pebble Beach Co., “We are highly confident in the HGCD team and their ability to transform Spanish Bay into a ‘must play’ course for any golfer visiting Pebble Beach. We have seen a brilliant vision emerge from the planning stages and look forward to watching it take shape over the coming year.” 

 The new Spanish Bay will be a crown jewel in Pebble Beach Resorts’ portfolio of world-renowned public courses, alongside Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, the Tiger Woods-designed 9-hole short-course, The Hay and the historic Del Monte Golf Course. The new course will open to the public on April 17, 2027, just ahead of the 127th  U.S. Open being played at Pebble Beach Golf Links for a seventh time. Bookings on the new course are currently available through Pebble Beach Resort Reservations.  

 Construction updates and documentary content will be shared throughout the process on Pebble Beach’s website and social channels.

<p>The post Pebble Beach Co., Hanse Golf Course Design to redesign The Links at Spanish Bay in California first appeared on Golfdom.</p>