Course if officially closed! We played on Monday at Noon with one of the last public tee times for Spanish Bay before it closed for the remodel. We were treated to another superior day weather wise.... Continue »

Course if officially closed! We played on Monday at Noon with one of the last public tee times for Spanish Bay before it closed for the remodel. We were treated to another superior day weather wise. Sunny and hot (by Monterey standards) with very little wind.

The course was finally showing signs of the impending shut down with several of the fairways being brown and hard pan. The course actually played more like a true links course. But even with the “deteriorating” conditions the track still was a joy to play.

The rerouting won’t look too different from the current layout. The main difference will be the greens. They will all be softened up to a much more manageable and “resort” level basic green complex. Front nine layout won’t see any significant layout changes. Some waste land areas, aka Poppy Hills style are allegedly being added to conserve water. The back nine will see one significant change. The iconic and diabolical short par 3 hole 13 is being completely removed. Not sure why as that is such a great hole. Hole 14 is being changed from a par 5 into a long Par 4 and a new Par 3 will be added utilizing a new tee box from the left side down onto the existing hole 14 green. Course will be a par 71 layout with only three Par 5’s.

As someone who has played Spanish Bay as much or more than anyone else, I will miss the current layout. I have had so many great memories and GK Cup battles here. So many birdies over the years, yet never made a birdie on #4. Had a chance yesterday but it was not to be. My least favorite hole was #7. Only a couple of pars on that hole total but managed to roll in the long putt of the day from over 50’ out to save par and have one last great memory on an otherwise forgettable hole.

No birdies on the day from anyone in our group, but plenty of smiles all around. The sun has set on one of my favorite “go to” courses for now, but I will surely resume my quest to conquer this scenic course when it re-opens in 2027.