TEE BOX Royal Birkdale introduces new par three ahead of 2026 Open The second phase of renovation work at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England includes a new par three fifteenth hole (pictured). Mackenzie & Ebert has advised on a host of changes to the 10-time Open Championship venue, including redesigning the fifth and seventh, the removal of the existing fourteenth and the alteration of the existing par-five fifteenth to become the new fourteenth hole. The new par-three fifteenth plays in a completely different direction to the club’s other par threes (the fourth, seventh and twelfth). “The course lacked a par three where players could run the ball onto the green, so the new fifteenth is a longer par three, often played strongly downwind to a long green,” said Neil Cruickshank, chair of course at Royal Birkdale. “The seventh has been shortened to 150 yards, creating a different targeted challenge. Therefore, the par threes are now set for a varied test and well equipped for major championship play and will range from 150 to 240 yards.” The new fourteenth plays over land a fairway’s width to the right of the former par-five fifteenth, to a green set on higher ground. “The old green was the most undulating of all of the putting surfaces, but a high proportion of it could not be used for flag positions,” said Cruickshank. “The new green is heavily influenced by the shape of the old green, but it now has a greater variety of pin locations.” The second phase covers the remaining holes and includes the enhancement of green surrounds, subtly adjusting fairways, rebuilding all the tees and removing hard paths. Turn to page 42 for an interview with M&E principal Martin Ebert. Photo: Royal Birkdale Photo: The Boundary Shaping is in progress on a new Mackenzie & Ebert golf course at Moncayo, a 1,100-acre luxury development in Puerto Rico. The course will be the firm’s first design in the Caribbean, and will feature views of the El Yunque Mountains. “Our design seeks to respect and enhance the island’s natural landscape with a layout that challenges golfers while offering truly breathtaking 360-degree views,” said Martin Ebert. Heritage Links is handling construction, and the course will be grassed with Platinum TE paspalum supplied by Atlas Turf International. New Caribbean course takes shape 11
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