Work will include a new par-three hole, repositioning greens and bunkers, and enhancing the course's coastal setting
By Richard Humphreys |
Pebble Beach Company has appointed Hanse Golf Course Design to renovate The Links at Spanish Bay in California.
Construction is scheduled to begin on 17 March 2026, with Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner leading work to take advantage of the course’s coastal setting, make the course more playable and strategic, and keep the layout challenging for the elite players.
The masterplan from Hanse Golf Course Design keeps most of the existing routing. The biggest change will be the new par-three fourteenth (Image: Hanse Golf Course Design)
The design team will keep most of the current routing, however, several green sites – including the current fourteenth and eighteenth – will be relocated to create room for a new par-three hole that will replace the current thirteenth. The square footage of greens across the course will be expanded by 40 per cent and will be resurfaced too.
Other work includes replacing the rough that surrounds greens with low-cut turf, widening fairways, repositioning fairway bunkers, adjusting contours, new drainage and irrigation systems, and developing three more acres of environmental habitat area.
Tee complexes will be rebuilt and repositioned to open sightlines, offer more options and reduce forced carries. According to Hanse’s plan, the forward tees will be 500 yards shorter and the championship tees 375 yards longer, with the par changing from 72 to 71.
Hanse’s plan includes widening fairways, relocating positions and repositioning tees (Photo: Pebble Beach Company)
“Working on a project like this is a golf course architect’s dream,” said Hanse. “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.”
David Stivers, CEO of the Pebble Beach Company, said: “We are highly confident in the Hanse Golf Course Design 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.”
Construction is set to begin in mid-March 2026 (Photo: Pebble Beach Company)
The renovated Spanish Bay will reopen in April 2027, ahead of the US Open being played at Pebble Beach Golf Links.