Gil Hanse, ASGCA, has completed the redesign on the famed Blue Monster course at Trump National Doral, Miami. The course has reopened, and it’s ever-so-subtle owner states, “it’s a brand new course, not a re-do.”
“Golf Course Archtiecture” magazine reported the details on the project, which began in March 2013 and impacted 14 of the 18 holes. (The well-known 18th hole was left as is.)
“A 100-yard extension to the course’s par five first hole is the major contributor to the overall yardage increase from 7,125 to 7,450 yards. The green has also been reshaped and a new pond added to the right.
“The par three fifteenth hole now has a peninsula green, and the sixteenth is now a 325-yard par four with water along the left side of the fairway.
“The eighth and ninth holes have been completely redesigned, with the eighth hole’s green moved to the left, and the ninth has been converted to play 195 yards, entirely over water.
“Work has been carried out on the fairways and rough areas to increase the amount of elevation change, with numerous slopes and mounds added to the previously relatively flat course.”