Over the past two years Royal Las Brisas Golf Club has been immersed in a major renovation project aimed at restoring all the splendour of one of Spain’s finest courses.
The Marbella layout – of which its creator, Robert Trent Jones, was especially satisfied and proud – has undergone a significant revamp adapted to a new golf era.
Kyle Phillips, one of the great architect’s favourite disciples who considers himself to be American even though he was born in England (he emigrated to the US with his parents when he was five years old), has been the artifice of this substantial fine-tune of the Costa del Sol course, which has hosted two World Cups and various Spanish Opens.
Renovation work on the second nine holes was expected to be completed early in August “but with the rain we had at the end of last year, and other setbacks difficult to anticipate, such as underground services, sanitation, etc., we’ve been delayed a bit,” notes course manager Paul Muñoz, “although within the normal bounds of a project of this magnitude.
“We will open for play in October, which means a couple of months’ delay. What we regret is that our Spanish members, who tend to come here in August, will be unable to enjoy the completely finished course.
The renovation has been quite substantial…
Yes, it’s been important in all aspects. We’ve carried out a complete renovation which, in addition to changing the tees, bunkers, greens, fairways, rough, etc., has included changes in the design, while respecting Trent Jones’ style and spirit. We’ve maintained the essence of some of his holes, and transformed others such as the 15th, 16th and 17th.
That’s why the revamp was carried out by Kyle Phillips?
We believe he was the best person to understand and know Mr. Jones’s style.
