Golf Course Architecture - Issue 66, October 2021

42 Photo: Punta Mita Global round-up TEE BOX Dirab Golf & Country Club near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has reopened for public play following a golf course renovation. Work on the course was completed in early 2021 and includes landscaping, agronomy and general course renovations. “Through making these improvements, we hope that Dirab will become the capital’s go-to golf course,” said Majed Al Sorour, deputy chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and CEO of Golf Saudi. “I am confident that our extensive investment will entice members, visitors, golfers, and non-golfers to enjoy the new range of benefits and remarkable golfing facilities.” Photo: Golf Saudi Dirab Golf & Country Club reopens following renovation Jim Lipe is overseeing a multi-phase renovation project on the Pacifico golf course at Punta Mita, a resort and residential community near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Both of the resort’s Jack Nicklaus Signature courses (Pacifico and Bahia) will be renovated over a five-year period. The first phase focuses on the Pacifico course and includes work on greens, bunkers, surrounds and tees, which is scheduled to be complete by November 2021. The second phase will start in April 2022, focusing on Bahia’s greens, surrounds and tees. Plans for phases three and four tentatively include replacing grass on fairways with Trinity Zoysia. First phase of renovation nears completion at Punta Mita