Nicklaus Design has completed a two-hole renovation of Course 1 at Real Club La Moraleja in Madrid, Spain.

“Back in the summer of 2010, Jack visited the golf course and checked the tenth and eleventh holes, which had fallen out of original theme of the course after being redesigned locally,” said Dirk Bouts, senior design associate at Nicklaus Design. “Consequently, Jack discussed a few concepts on how to solve the issues and recreate two nice golf holes.

“Jack reversed both holes, with the style of the bunkering and greens from the original course reinstalled. The holes now sit and fit well within the corridors of existing trees.”

Chameza Golf began earthmoving work in October 2018 and continued during a record wet autumn. Sandcapping started in January 2019 with the sod laying – supplied by Novogreen – taking place a month later.

Greens have been turfed with grass from the old greens in order to maintain the original grass varieties. Tees, fairways and approaches have been grassed with Agrostis, with rye grass/poa pratensis used for roughs.

“Many outer areas below the oak trees have also been converted into mulch areas in order to further reduce hard-to-maintain turfed areas,” said Bouts. “Bunkers have been lined with Better Billy Bunker.”

Actua Golf Services and Project Management handled the project’s logistics, with head greenkeeper Anthony Bonnett supervising the contractor.

“La Moraleja is very excited for the golf course to be back within the overall theme of the original golf course, which was initially completed by Jack in the mid-70s.”

The redesigned holes are open for play.