9 new (and newly renovated) public courses we can’t wait to play in 2025

The new year will bring dozens of new (and newly renovated) courses. But to keep our expectations realistic, we are focusing on public access projects. Here are the nine we decided to play.

poppy ridge golf course

Livermore, California

Opening date: summer

Like its sister property in Monterey, Poppy Hills, Poppy Ridge is owned by the Northern California Golf Association and has long had one of the higher daily rates in the Bay Area. But in its original configuration, the 27-hole facility had some awkward stretches, characterized by steep elevation changes and long hikes between holes. Enter architect Jay Blasi. In what amounts to a new-build project, Brasi created a championship 18-hole course using select land on each of the three existing nine holes. The result is a dramatic, walker-friendly route through rolling vineyard-edge terrain about an hour's drive east of San Francisco. It can be said that its value for money has been greatly improved.

Scarecrow at Gamble Sands

Brewster, Washington.

Opening date: August 1

David McLay Kidd is back at work in the apple orchards of Eastern Washington, where he has put the final touches on the second 18-hole course at Gamble Sands. More than a decade ago, McLay Kidd had hoped to open his first course at the resort on this site, but was prevented from doing so by power lines. After removing these lines, a huge canvas is ready for subsequent use. Although similar in spirit to the original Gamble Sands course (which ranks as one of GOLF's 100 Best Courses to Play in America) and boasting wide landing areas and countless ground game options, the new Scarecrow layout Higher demands are placed on kickoffs. After limited sneak peek games last fall, the stadium will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August.

pasatimpo

Santa Cruz, California

Opening date: Now

On the California course he chose to make his home, golden-era superstar Alister Mackenzie foreshadowed elements of his later work at Augusta National, including yawning paw-print bunkers and jaw-dropping Exciting tilt-and-spin putting green. Now, architect Jim Urbina has restored the greens to their original push-up style and rebuilt the bunkers using modern construction methods, giving the glorious course an even brighter shine. Technically, Pasatie Po is against our schedule as it fully reopens in December 2024. of the stadium.

old petty of cabot heights

Inverness, Scotland

Opening date: Summer trial 2025/Grand opening 2026

Cabot Heights is already home to Castle Stewart (No. 89 on Golf's World's 100 Best Golf Courses), and a complementary course will soon be opened in Cabot Heights under the sponsorship of Tom Doak. Working with site project leader Clyde Johnson, the architects designed a route that turns the walk into a scenic excursion, with the backdrop of the Moray Firth photobombing and the historic Old Petty Church (the course The landmark building also got its name) ) guest appearance along the way. While the grand opening is slated for 2026, preview games will be available from August 1 to September 30 of this year.

7 mile beach golf club

Hobart, Tasmania

Expected opening: Spring/Summer 2024

If you need a good excuse to lug a bat halfway around the world, Mike Clayton, Mike DeVries and Frank Pont have it your needs. They are the architects of 7 Mile Beach, a picturesque beachfront beach of the same name about 20 minutes from Tasmania's capital city. The course, delayed for years by a series of roadblocks, has now cleared its final hurdles and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.

Carew Field, Cabot Citrus Farm

Brooksville, Florida

Opening date: January 21

The karoo is the sound of the sandhill crane, whose trumpet echoes around Kyle Franz’s rugged structure in the Sunshine State’s desert sands. The course is one of two 18-hole courses at Cabot Citrus Farms, an emerging destination that also features two fun short courses. Previews of Karoo 2024 have already begun, but January 21 marks its official opening and the grand opening of the resort itself.

Other famous people:

Carsten Creek Golf Club

Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Andrew Greene, credited with restoring famous venues like Oak Hill and Capitol, was tapped to make a series of improvements to Oklahoma State University's home stadium. In addition to some course redesigns, the work includes new geothermal green space that's better suited to the climate and a series of improvements designed to provide a tougher challenge for the elite college players who have priority access to the property. With proper planning—and expensive work—the public could also anchor it to Carsten Creek. The stadium should be ready by the start of the 2025 season.

dog teeth

La Romana, Dominican Republic

Scheduled upgrades to Pete Dye's Caribbean seaside gem include re-grassing, sand cover, bunkers and green restoration. Jerry Pate's design firm is handling the work, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

PGA West Stadium Course

Palm Springs, California

When you tune in to The American Express later this month, you'll see a new-look stadium course, Pete Dye's famous desert design, with greens restored to their original size and shape, among other improvements. The work just completed is part of a three-year, multi-million dollar project that includes upgrades to PGA West's two other Dye tracks, Mountain and Dune. The stadium is the headliner, though, and in two weeks you can watch the pros play before you experience it for yourself.