A US$12.6 million renovation project is to take place at the Torrey Pines north course following the Farmers Insurance Open, which is currently taking place at the club in La Jolla, California.

Tom Weiskopf, winner of the first professional tournament held at Torrey Pines, has been brought in by the City of San Diego’s Park and Recreation Department to lead the project.

“The goal is to improve play, while preserving the spirit of the existing course and the layout that's beloved by those who come to visit and residents alike,” said Andy Field, assistant director of the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department.

Weiskopf confirmed that the project will see significant changes to the course’s greens in an interview event ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open. The size of the greens will be increased, and the slopes will be softened.

The architect also spoke about the alterations to the bunkering across the course.

“We are going to change their location and their shapes,” said Weiskopf. “We are going to redo whatever the ones that stay, they’re going to be redone with better drainage, better sand, and we’re going to change the position of those on the golf course where they exist now. Because some of them are so far outdated.”

Weiskopf also confirmed that an amount of the budget had been set aside to improve landscaping at the course, and that at least five acres of turf would be removed in order to minimise water usage.

The Farmers Insurance Open takes place from 28-31 January at Torrey Pines. The renovation project will commence after the tournament and is scheduled to be completed in late summer.