Former Ocean course at Cabo del Sol reopens as the Cove Club
The Cove Club, formerly known as the Ocean course, has reopened at Cabo del Sol, Mexico, following renovations by Nicklaus Design.
The work included the introduction of several new holes, upgraded playing surfaces, restyled bunkers, and new landscaping. Nicklaus Design worked together with Cabo del Sol to accommodate their requests for routing changes to maximise the site’s real estate.
“We were given the challenge to redesign the golf course to meet their needs, but at the same time maintain the global status the Ocean course has enjoyed for over 25 years,” said Jack Nicklaus. “The developers needed to take a couple of holes off the ocean, and my responsibility was to preserve the quality of the golf course. I think we have done that in a very satisfactory way. We still have great ocean views, and we still have four holes on the ocean.”
Read more: Redesign of Ocean course takes shape at Cabo del Sol
Among the new holes is a short par-three seventh, which offers two different angles of attack. The raised green is defended by deep bunkers with rolled-down grass faces to the front and back. As with all the restyled bunkers, they are filled with a bright white sand for visual contrast to the colour of the turf and sea.
A new par-four ninth hole has also been built adjacent to the previous ninth hole, moved to accommodate a new entryway to the resort. The 461-yard hole recalls the original’s broad saddled fairway and the designers say they have increased the interest of both the fairway and greenside bunkering.
The current sixteenth hole, a downhill par four that plays 100 feet down the side of a mountain, will be recast as the eighteenth hole. “We moved the green a little closer to the ocean and dropped it down to create a spectacular finishing hole,” said Nicklaus. The green, guarded by a U-shaped bunker, hugs the edge of the cliff on a small peninsular.
A new set of ‘Rooster Fish’ tees for children have also been introduced to the course, totalling 4,451 yards and intended to encourage family outings. Nearly 80,000 plants, trees and shrubs have also been planted to improve the look of the course.
Alex Smith
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