Pelician Hill: Newport California

[cary lichtenstein]

The 2 courses at Pelician Hill have now reopened.

Has anyone played them since they reopened and can report?

We will be in the area in a few weeks

We played them years ago and enjoyed both and am wondering if there was an extensive remodel or just a regrassing.

Which is the better course?

Thanks

[Tim Book]

Cary,

I played Ocean South right after Christmas.  The renovation appears to have been reworking the bunkers, improving the irrigation system and replacing some turf.  The routing is exactly as I had remembered it.  The biggest improvement is that they have built a new clubhourse down by the driving range which makes it more convienent.  If I had a choice I would probably play the South 7 out of 10 times, just a few more memorable holes.

[Bryan Izatt]

Cary,

I played the North about a month ago.  I enjoyed the round (paying twilight fee).  I had a thread about a month ago that discussed the course a bit:

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33424.msg667050.html#msg667050

I hadn't played the course before, so can't tell you how different it is.  From what I've read the changes were as follows:

From what I've read the following are the "renovations" that were undertaken:

"* Re-turfing of fairways and tees with Tifway II hybrid bermuda to achieve a consistent look, texture and playing surface year-round, while also eliminating the need for annual overseeding.

* Converting roughs to a cool-season blend of tall fescue and rye, to contrast with the Tifway II hybrid bermuda on the fairways in color and texture, adding definition.

* Adding 25 new bunkers and adjusting bunkers on many holes to enhance strategy or aesthetics.

* Recapturing vistas framed by the natural environment by adopting lower-growing and native plants.

* Installing a water-quality system to conserve and recycle water from both the courses and the resort that environmental experts say is the most advanced on the California coast.

* Sand-capping high-traffic areas to create better turf quality.

* Expanding collars on some greens to give golfers more choices on how to play shots.

* Rebuilding tees on both courses, including a new sand base and resurfacing with Bermuda.

* A number of new tees to enhance the playing strategy or aesthetics and to add 200 yards to the courses.

* Re-contouring fairways to enhance drainage and resurfacing cart paths with a new concrete developed to buffer cracking." (from Cybergolf.com)"

The changes are mostly about playability.  The 25 new bunkers might attract your attention if you have a good memory.  There is a large one on the inside of the opening hole that is new, for instance.

When I was there they said that the north was wider than the south.  I prefer to play courses with more width, so opted for the north.  It wasn't especially wide, so the south must be fairly narrow.