(NEWPORT COAST, Calif.) — Pelican Hill Golf Club, one of Southern California’s premier golf destinations, will embark this fall on an extensive renovation of its acclaimed North and South Courses under the direction of renowned architect Brian Curley of Curley-Wagner Golf Design.
Set along the dramatic Newport Coast, Pelican Hill Golf Club has long been regarded as one of the finest 36-hole golf resorts in the country. Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in the early 1990s, both courses are lauded for their sweeping Pacific Ocean views, strategic design, and year-round playability amid more than 300 days of sunshine.
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This marks the first major refresh at Pelican Hill Golf Club since a “two-year re-perfection” effort led by Fazio in 2005. The upcoming project will focus primarily on bunker restoration and realignment, tee expansion and leveling, and improvements to green surrounds —ensuring that both courses continue to meet the highest standards of conditioning and design.
Curley, a Pete Dye protégé and veteran designer who began his career nearly 40 years ago with Landmark Land Company, brings deep experience in world-class resort and tournament venues to the project. His global portfolio includes more than 150 courses across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, among them Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course, Shura Links, which opened last month.
“These are two fantastic, expertly designed courses that have aged gracefully,” Curley said. “But as with any golf course, time and play take their toll. This renovation will refresh the features, address turf health impacted by maturing trees, and ensure the best possible playing experience for years to come.”
The construction will be carried out by McDonald & Sons, a respected course construction firm with more than 40 years of experience on renowned venues including Congressional Country Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Interlachen Golf Club, and The Inverness Club.
Work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with an anticipated 50-week construction and grow-in period. To maintain access for guests, nine holes will be closed at a time, ensuring that 27 holes remain open throughout the process. Renovations will begin on the South Course, followed by the North Course, with completion expected in late 2026.
While the majority of the work will focus on restoring existing features, Curley noted that selective enhancements will elevate the visual and strategic appeal of the layouts.
“We intend to make thoughtful adjustments to the visuals and backdrops, enhancing the already spectacular setting,” Curley said. “It’s an honor to build upon Tom Fazio’s legacy and ensure Pelican Hill remains one of the most beautiful and enjoyable golf experiences anywhere.”
The restoration of the North and South Courses at Pelican Hill Golf Club builds on a longstanding relationship between Marriott and Curley, who designed two courses for the hospitality brand – Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, Calif. and Desert Ridge in Phoenix – in collaboration with Nick Faldo. The Pelican Hill Golf Club project also further burnishes Marriott’s growing portfolio of golf properties, which consists of dozens of acclaimed championship courses in some of the most beautiful destinations around the world—from California to Costa Rica, Florida, Spain, France, Fiji, Italy, and beyond.
“We are thrilled to partner with Curley-Wagner Design on this project at Pelican Hill Golf Club,” said James Keane, Vice President, Marriott International’s Global Golf Division. “Brian Curley is a first-class professional architect and completely understands the importance of blending restoration with modernization to build on this iconic property in Southern California.”
These enhancements are part of a larger, year-long renaissance at The Resort at Pelican Hill that will thoughtfully transform its iconic spaces. For more information, please visit www.pelicanhill.com/renaissance.
For more information about Curley-Wagner Golf Design, visit curley-wagner.com, @curley_wagner (Instagram), @curley_wagner (X).
About Marriott Golf
Marriott’s Global Golf Division delivers comprehensive golf management and consulting services to resort owners and properties worldwide, supporting an array of Marriott International lodging brands including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Marriott, Sheraton, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Westin, Autograph Collection Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, and Marriott Golf Academy.
With more than 55 years of proven experience in golf hospitality, Marriott Golf is distinguished by its deep industry expertise, long-standing relationships, and a trusted commitment to excellence. As part of Marriott International, a global leader in integrated resort, hotel, and golf operations, the division delivers award-winning business performance and a renowned service culture. Marriott Golf’s portfolio spans diverse environments—from luxury resorts and private membership clubs to daily-fee courses, golf schools, and franchise properties—offering tailored golf development, management, and advisory solutions. For more information, visit marriott.com/golf.
About Curley-Wagner Golf Design
Initially founded in 1997 as Schmidt-Curley Golf Design, Curley-Wagner Golf Design is a full-service, U.S.-based golf course and master-planning design firm with a global portfolio of critically acclaimed and award-winning courses spanning 25 countries. Its work includes 20 courses at Mission Hills Golf Club in China as well as projects throughout the U.S., Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mexico, Sweden, and beyond. Curley has been named “Architect of the Year” by GOLF magazine, and “Best Golf Course Architect” by Asia Golfer seven straight years. His firm’s courses have hosted the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, World Cup of Golf, The Skins Game, Korn Ferry Tour, among other elite competitions.
Curley-Wagner specializes in creating challenging, beautiful and enjoyable courses, often on difficult sites. By balancing classic golf course architecture with ever-advancing technology, the firm strives for soul-stirring designs that elevate a golfer’s appreciation for the land and the game, with cost-efficient maintenance and operations always top of mind.
About The Resort at Pelican Hill®
A grand estate spanning 504 coastal acres with sweeping views of the Pacific, The Resort at Pelican Hill® is Newport Beach’s only five-star, five-diamond resort. Combining an unrivaled location with Italian-inspired architecture, 36 holes of ocean view golf, a 5-star Spa, elevated dining offerings, and a calendar of curated world-class experiences, the Resort invites guests to savor a retreat of exceptional comfort and calm.
