NEWS: Five-Star, Five-Diamond The Resort at Pelican Hill Unveils Restored South Course in May 2026, Marking the First Evolution in Its Next Chapter as a St. Regis Estate
Reimagined Bunkers, Enhanced Coastal Views, and Elevated Playability Debut at the Award-Winning Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach
L-R: South Course Holes #1 and #7
A selection of new South Course imagery can be found here. (PC: All Seasons Creative)
Newport Beach, California (May 26, 2026) — Newport Beach’s Five Star, Five Diamond The Resort at Pelican Hill® enters its next chapter as a St. Regis Estate in 2027 with the unveiling of its newly restored South Course at the award-winning Pelican Hill Golf Club on May 18, 2026.
Led by renowned golf architect Brian Curley, the first of the Pelican Hill Golf Club’s course restoration projects marks a major milestone in the Resort’s broader evolution. The South Course restoration reflects Pelican Hill’s continued commitment to preserving the timeless integrity of Tom Fazio’s original design while elevating the guest experience through enhanced playability, refined coastal aesthetics, and modern infrastructure improvements.
Further reinforcing Pelican Hill Golf Club’s position as one of the country’s premier oceanfront golf destinations for decades to come, the South Course restoration focused heavily on bunker modernization, comprehensive reimaging of teeing grounds. All tee boxes were stripped, leveled, and resodded, with select teeing areas expanded and new tees thoughtfully added to enhance playability and strategic options across all skill levels.
One of the most notable transformations can be found on South Course holes 11 through 14 along Pacific Coast Highway, where the bunkers now feature a custom seaside sand blend inspired by natural coastal dunes. The redesigned environment intentionally draws the landscape visually closer to the ocean, creating a more immersive beachside golf experience unlike any other in California.
“Our vision for the South Course restoration was to honor what has always made Pelican Hill Golf Club so extraordinary while thoughtfully enhancing the overall golf experience,” said Pelican Hill Golf Operations General Manager Robert Ford. “From the striking new bunker aesthetics to the refined course conditions and coastal-inspired details, every enhancement was made with our guests in mind. We’re proud to continue elevating Pelican Hill as one of the most iconic golf and resort destinations in coastal California.”
Additional restoration work across the South Course included revitalizing greens to their original shapes after years of gradual shrinkage, leveling, and resodding tee boxes, expanding select teeing grounds, renovating drop areas, and improving tee surrounds and entrances. More than a mile of concrete cart paths were repaired and widened in key areas, while extensive landscape trimming and tree cleanup further reopened sightlines and enhanced turf health throughout the course. Behind the scenes, more than 2,000 fairway sprinkler heads were raised to improve conditioning and consistency, alongside adjustments to fairways and rough-cut lines, as well as refurbished restroom facilities.
Set atop 504 acres overlooking the Pacific, The Resort at Pelican Hill has long defined luxury in Newport Coast through its iconic architecture, residential-style accommodations, championship golf, and sweeping ocean views. Its forthcoming transition into a St. Regis Estate introduces a new refined archetype blending estate-style living, expansive villa experiences, world-class golf, and the ritualized service and global prestige synonymous with the St. Regis brand, setting a new benchmark for ultra-luxury hospitality along the Southern California coast.
North Course Restoration (Fall 2026 Debut)
The Resort’s final phase of golf course restoration with the North Course is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2026. Similar in scope and philosophy to the South Course enhancements, the North Course project helmed by Brian Curley will focus on bunker reconstruction, tee box improvements, landscape refinement, infrastructure modernization, and restoring original course characteristics while further elevating the overall player experience. Upon completion, the fully refreshed 36-hole experience at Pelican Hill Golf Club will offer golfers an unmatched blend of classic architecture, modern conditioning standards, and breathtaking coastal beauty.
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About The Resort at Pelican Hill
The Resort at Pelican Hill® is Newport Beach’s only five-star, five-diamond destination, set on 504 coastal acres with sweeping views of the Pacific. Blending an unrivaled location with Italian inspired architecture, 36 holes of ocean view golf, a Forbes Five Star Spa, elevated dining, and a calendar of curated, world class experiences, the Resort offers an exceptional retreat defined by seasonality, serenity, and service. In 2027, the Resort will transition into the first ever St. Regis Estate, an ultra-exclusive brand expression representing a new tier of storied properties distinguished by expansive grounds, rich heritage, and extraordinary amenities.
