41 Nine holes of the new Cynthia Dye course for Erbil Hills Golf Club in the Kurdistan region of Iraq are growing in and expected to open by the end of 2022. Speaking about the site, Cynthia Dye said: “It has a large valley running through the whole length of the project. The high end has a 3.5-metre storm drain under a new highway that connects the site to the upper valleys. The golf course is routed along a water detention system in the bottom of the valley. Therefore, water is seen by every golf hole but not always in play. “Most would think of Iraq as a flat desert but this northern part is in very fertile pasture and agricultural land. The large mountain range to the north is only 25 minutes’ drive away. It is very important to the Iraqis to see water and green. At Erbil Hills there is a lot of both.” Image: Erbil Hills Nine holes of new course in Iraq to open in late 2022 Photo: Darnall Photography The Dunas course designed by David McLay Kidd at Terras da Comporta, near Lisbon, Portugal, will open in July 2023. Kidd has designed the new par-71 layout to be demanding and fun. “It’s pretty challenging but is forgiving if you get into trouble,” he said. “You’ve got a chance to get back into the game, and how could you ever complain about the amazing weather in Portugal together with the beaches, cafes, food and people. It’s all beautiful and I would encourage anyone to come and visit.” Photo: Terras da Comporta Dunas course at Terras da Comporta to open in July 2023 Casey O’Callaghan has completed a renovation project at Newport Beach Country Club in California. The scope of work included rebuilding bunkers, tees, three new greens, four green expansions, cart path work and landscaping. The thirteenth, fifteenth and seventeenth greens have been completely rebuilt. “Previously greens had multiple tiers and slopes that limited pin locations, and the character of these putting surfaces, which were rebuilt in the early 1990s, was not consistent with the rest of the Billy Bell-designed greens,” said O’Callaghan. “The new greens have been designed and constructed with long movements that emanate from the surrounding landforms and now allow for accessible and challenging pin locations.” O’Callaghan focuses on playability for Newport Beach renovation
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