John Fought is preparing to begin a renovation of the Players course at Indian Wells Golf Resort, owned by the city of Indian Wells in the Coachella Valley of California, USA. 

Fought created the current layout in 2007 and has returned to reconfigure the routing following the sale of land currently occupied by the seventeenth hole for new resort development. 

“I see this as a good thing, as I never wanted to develop holes on the south side of the major wash that bisects the course,” said Fought. “Currently, if there is major flooding, golfers are unable to get from the sixteenth green to the seventeenth tee, which is a serious management problem.” 

The current seventeenth and eighteenth (also located south of the wash) holes will be removed from the routing and the main body of the course, north of the wash, will be reconfigured to make space for two replacement holes. 

“I have to build seven new holes from the existing course, allowing for returning nines and a spectacular finish along the wash,” said Fought. The remainder will see minor update to greens, tees and bunkers. 

“Bunkering will be simplified but still have beautiful, raised sand faces,” said Fought. “I want everything that is being done to be easily maintained whilst also being fresh and new. The tees will be expanded back to their original size and motif, as they have shrunk over the years. The existing greens, which are among my favourites, will be re-grassed and the seven new greens will be in the same motif.” 

Fought also expects the renovation to make the course more walkable and easier to conduct maintenance. In addition, the greens and tees will be brought closer together which, according to Fought, is always a goal of his and the new finishing holes will provide players with a scenic view of the mountains. 

Fought is working with Ron Despain, senior vice president of course management firm Troon Golf, and the resort’s general manager Robin Graf and golf course superintendent Nick Leitner. Landscapes Unlimited will handle construction and David Yoshimura is responsible for irrigation design. 

Work will begin in March and the course is expected to reopen in November 2025. 

“This is a wonderful property and with some care it will return to being one of the best courses in southern California,” said Fought. “I know the city would like to host some professional events on this course and this will now be possible following these modifications.”