Augusta National and Tiger Woods unveil plans for the rebirth of a local muni, a noteworthy UK-based firm signs on for its first Caribbean design, and Pinehurst readies to surpass 200 golf holes
MONCAYO—Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Known for their original designs and ongoing work in updating Open Championship venues in the UK, golf architecture firm Mackenzie & Ebert are constructing their first course in the Caribbean at Moncayo, a 1,100- acre luxury development on the east coast of Puerto Rico slated for completion in 2027. The 7,200-yard, 18-hole championship course, reserved for members and their guests, will boast panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, El Yunque Mountains, and the island’s shoreline. The golf club will also feature a family-friendly, reversible 9-hole short course; a one-acre putting course called El Yunquito; and a practice facility with a golf performance center. Additional amenities at Moncayo include a private island beach; Athletic Club with stadium courts for tennis, pickleball, and padel; 100-acre organic farm, plant, and tree nursery; private village; and an Auberge Resorts Collection Hotel.
SKYFALL AT FOREST DUNES GOLF CLUB—Roscommon, Mich.
Michigan’s Forest Dunes has tapped Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner as the designers of the property’s fourth golf course. Named as a nod to the vibrant sunsets and starry nights in northern Michigan, SkyFall will operate as a private golf club with limited access to guests of Forest Dunes, similar to the model employed at The Lido in Wisconsin in association with Sand Valley Resort. The new 18-hole course will be constructed through forest land with elevation changes of up to 70 feet on around 300 acres next to the first and second full-length designs and Forest Dunes’s 10-hole short course. Hanse notes the site offers similarities to some of his other works, such as the sandy expanses found at Ohoopee Match Club and the natural strategic elements at Castle Stuart. Construction could begin as soon as late 2025.
PINEHURST NO. 11—Pinehurst, N.C.
Pinehurst Resort has announced that its 11th 18-hole course will be designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, with a debut scheduled for the fall of 2027. No. 11 will be located at Pinehurst Sandmines, the 900-acre site about four miles south of the resort’s main clubhouse that is also home to No. 10, the Tom Doak/Angela Moser design that opened in 2024. The routing for the new course will play over and around large “spoil piles” and jutting ridges left behind by former mining operations. “We’re far, far from the sea, but we have these contours and features and landforms that remind you of spots in Ireland or Scotland,” says Coore. This summer at Sandmines, Pinehurst will also open a 6,000-square-foot pro shop and locker room, as well as a new restaurant and bar. Plans for cottages or other lodging are in the works and could be ready for guests when No. 11 opens.
THE PATCH—Augusta, Ga.
In April, Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley unveiled details for the renovation of the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, aka “The Patch,” including a 9-hole short course called The Loop at The Patch designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design. The master plan for The Patch, projected to reopen in 2026, also features a redesigned 18-hole layout led by Tom Fazio and Beau Welling and expansive practice areas to serve a variety of golfers of all levels. Additionally, Augusta National and the TGR Foundation will construct a TGR Learning Lab in Augusta, providing young people access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education and opportunities.
PLOVER COVE—Hong Kong
A new 18-hole course from Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design is under construction at Plover Cove, a golf destination being built on the reclaimed, 53-hectare Shuen Wan landfill site in the New Territories of Hong Kong. As part of a transformation estimated to cost $4.5 billion Hong Kong dollars, Plover Cove will feature a comprehensive clubhouse alongside the 6,600-yard, par-71 championship course with “links-like rolling fairways” showcasing the latest versions of Zoysia grasses and the same sub-surface moisture management systems used at clubs such as Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass, and Muirfield Village. Two rare incense trees will also feature prominently on the course, symbolizing Plover Cove’s commitment to conservation. Additionally, the club will dedicate a 1.2-hectare area of the site to minimizing potential adverse effects on local protected species. A timeline for completion has yet to be announced.
FIREFLY—Spring Hill, Tenn.
Construction is ongoing at a new 700-plus-acre luxury golf and residential community called Firefly approximately 30 miles south of Nashville. The club’s centerpiece is an 18-hole design from Andrew Green, which is scheduled to open in spring 2026. “There is a certain scale to Firefly that is unexpected,” says Green. “The fairways rest on bold yet graceful topography, with tees and greens strategically placed to enhance the journey through the land. This creates a unique bond with nature and the Tennessee countryside, offering a one-of-akind golf experience.” Additional community features include a Green-designed 9-hole short course, clubhouse, practice facilities with Trackman technology, pickleball and tennis courts, and a family club with two pools, dining, and a music hall.
