Such fussy care has been put into the details at the renovated, just reopened Pelican Hill Golf Club - from using shrub that will never grow taller than three feet to insure those ocean views are never again obscured, to carts with seats so plushy green padded that your back will never realize it’s in a golf cart - it’s easy to assume that no one thing could completely stand out.

When Tom Fazio, in a rare second chance, and the Irvine Company’s bankroll are teaming up to play the obsessive-compulsive Monk in a two course Newport Beach revamp, every T is going to be crossed thrice after all.

As one of the first golf writers to play both the changed South and North courses, I can say there is a clear star though.

It’s the 11th through 13th hole stretch on the Ocean South Course, a run of arresting scenic golf that’s going to eventually be declared one of the best stretches of golf on the entire West Coast (once the back-slapping, tentative golf writers at the stoogy traditional publications get around to assuring each other they can safely say this and still get in all the clubs they love).

You don’t need to wait though. Any average golfer who steps onto Pelican South’s 11th tee and stares out at the rollercoaster fairway and the ocean will know, they’ve found one of those special spots. Then, it’s back-to-back par 3s on the coast with Crystal Cove State Beach below.

The renovated North Course is much more wide open than the South and was already being spun as the course with better views in some of my visiting group’s dinner declarations. Nothing beats Pelican South’s 11th through 13th stretch though.

It’s the star of a resort that seems determined to make sure you remember every little detail.

For the full story on the new Pelican Hill, stay tuned to TravelGolf.com on Monday.

Permalink Leave a comment