Scottish Architect David McLay Kidd to Bring First Desert Design to Southern California

Renowned golf course architect David McLay Kidd has received approval to design a new 18-hole layout at the private Coral Mountain Desert Club, marking his first original course in Southern California.

The project is part of a sprawling 400-acre development in La Quinta that aims to blend golf with a broader lifestyle experience. In addition to the course, the community will feature racquet sports facilities, an extensive trail network, and access to a large-scale surf lagoon designed for wave riding.

Best known for launching his career with the original course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Kidd has built a global portfolio that continues to expand. His recent work includes new and upcoming projects such as Loraloma in Texas, Scarecrow at Gamble Sands in Washington, Bone Valley at Streamsong in Florida, and River Ranch Golf Resort, also in Washington.

Kidd’s modern design philosophy emphasizes playability, often incorporating fast and firm conditions. He said the Coachella Valley landscape immediately inspired him and presents a unique opportunity to introduce his style to a region already rich in golf offerings.

“My passion for golf is about creating special experiences in compelling landscapes,” Kidd said. “At Coral Mountain, I saw something distinct in the light, the mountains and the natural colors—an opportunity to build something rooted in the traditions of the Scottish game, yet entirely new for this setting.”

The course is currently slated to open in 2028.

The broader Coral Mountain Desert Club development is being led by Meriwether Companies and will include a mix of estate homesites, villas and cottages, with pricing starting at $1.75 million. Developers say the vision is to create a modern, recreation-focused community centered on wellness and outdoor living.

“Coral Mountain represents a bold evolution of desert living,” said managing partner Noah Hahn. “We’re building a place where families can connect through fitness, adventure and shared experiences in one of the most inspiring landscapes in the West.”

Adding to that vision, the nearby Thermal Beach Club—located just minutes away—will feature what developers describe as the largest pneumatic wave basin in the country, bringing a private surf experience to the desert.

Masters 2026: Why the Numbers Point to a Familiar Champion — and One Sleeper to Watch

If you’re trying to pick a Masters winner, history isn’t just helpful — it’s borderline predictive. And based on the trends you laid out, there’s a pretty clear profile emerging for who slips on the green jacket Sunday evening at Augusta National Golf Club.

The Case for the Favorite: Scottie Does It Again

Everything starts with Scottie Scheffler.

The world No. 1 has already proven he can dominate Augusta, and the historical markers are lining up almost too cleanly:

The No. 1-ranked player has won the Masters seven times — including Scheffler twice already.

This is his fifth straight Masters entering as No. 1, tying a record held by Tiger Woods — and we know how often Tiger converted those kinds of opportunities.

The Amen Corner stat is the clincher: you simply don’t win here if you leak shots on 11, 12, and 13.

Scheffler’s greatest strength? Control. He doesn’t beat himself, and that’s exactly what Augusta demands. You don’t need to go nuclear — you need to survive the course’s most volatile stretch.

And if the winning formula continues — playing Amen Corner at 2-under or better — Scheffler is as safe a bet as there is in modern golf.

Prediction: Scottie Scheffler wins the 2026 Masters.

The Dark Horse: Brooks Koepka Lurking

If you’re looking beyond the obvious, the name that jumps out from your notes is Brooks Koepka.

Five major championships. Zero green jackets.

That’s not just a stat — it’s a flashing neon sign.

Koepka lives for majors, and Augusta is the one gap in his résumé. Historically, players of his caliber don’t stay shut out forever. The list you cited — Trevino, Thomson, Els — tells us elite players without Masters wins tend to either break through… or become trivia.

Koepka doesn’t feel like trivia.

What makes him dangerous this week:

He thrives in high-pressure, major setups.

He has the discipline to navigate Amen Corner — the exact trait your key stat highlights.

He’s motivated by legacy now, not just wins.

If Scheffler stumbles even slightly, Koepka is the type of player who doesn’t just contend — he closes.

Dark Horse Pick: Brooks Koepka

Final Thought

Augusta doesn’t reward chaos — it rewards precision, patience, and experience. The numbers you pulled reinforce that this isn’t the place for flukes.

That’s why this week likely comes down to two types:

The best player in the world playing like it

Or a proven major killer finally filling in the last blank on his résumé

This year, the smart money says those two paths belong to Scheffler… and Koepka lurking right behind him.

CCNC’s Dogwood, Cardinal Courses Earn Top-15 State Rankings as Club Lands Major Future Championships

The Country Club of North Carolina continues to cement its place among the elite golf destinations in the state, with both of its premier layouts ranked inside the top 15 in the 2026 North Carolina Golf Panel’s Top 100 Courses list.

Located in Pinehurst—widely regarded as the “Home of American Golf”—the club stands alone as the only private facility in North Carolina to place two courses in the top 15 this year.

The Dogwood Course, originally designed by Ellis Maples and later renovated by Kris Spence in 2016, climbed to No. 5 in the rankings. Meanwhile, the Cardinal Course—designed by Willard Byrd and Robert Trent Jones Sr.—secured the No. 13 spot.

The rankings, compiled by the North Carolina Golf Panel in partnership with Business North Carolina, are widely considered the most authoritative assessment of golf courses in a state rich with top-tier layouts.

“Pinehurst, North Carolina is called the Home of American Golf, and CCNC stands proudly as a shining example of that,” said club president Charlie Rivers. “We’re grateful to the panel for recognizing what our members experience every day on these courses.”

A Growing Championship Legacy

Beyond rankings, CCNC is preparing for a significant run on the national amateur golf stage.

The club will host the prestigious Southern Amateur in 2027—marking the eighth time it has welcomed the event. Looking further ahead, CCNC is slated to host two major USGA championships: the 2030 U.S. Senior Amateur and the 2037 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

These additions build on a long history of elite competition at the club, which has already hosted three USGA championships, including the 1980 U.S. Amateur won by Hal Sutton, the 2010 U.S. Girls’ Junior won by Doris Chen, and the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur captured by Nick Dunlap.

CCNC has also been a frequent site for statewide and collegiate events, including seven North Carolina Amateur Championships and the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Golf Championship, won by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

A Tradition of Excellence

Established in 1963, the Country Club of North Carolina has long been recognized for both its championship pedigree and commitment to environmental stewardship. Since 2003, the club has been certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, reflecting its dedication to sustainable course management.

Both courses have also undergone thoughtful renovations over the years. In addition to the Dogwood updates by Spence, the Cardinal Course was renovated in 2002 by Arthur Hills, ensuring both layouts remain competitive and relevant in the modern era.

The club’s standing extends beyond the North Carolina Golf Panel rankings. The Dogwood Course is consistently recognized by major publications, including Golfweek, GOLF Magazine, and Golf Digest, while the Cardinal Course also earns regular statewide and national mentions.

With two top-15 courses, a packed championship schedule, and a legacy that continues to grow, CCNC remains a cornerstone of North Carolina’s—and America’s—golf landscape.

As Golf Gets Pricier, One Aiken Course Holds the Line at $30

As the cost of playing golf continues to climb—especially around Augusta during Masters week—one course just down the road is quietly resisting the trend.

Jim McNair knows full well he could raise prices. Demand is surging, luxury clubs are multiplying, and nearby destinations are leaning into high-end exclusivity. But at Aiken Golf Club, just 25 minutes from Augusta, greens fees still start at $30.

“We’re happy where we are,” McNair says.

That stance makes his course an outlier in a region that has rapidly transformed into one of the country’s hottest golf markets. In recent years, Aiken, South Carolina, has seen a wave of upscale development—private clubs, destination resorts, and boutique golf experiences that cater to deep-pocketed travelers. As those options expand, so do the costs, pushing the game further out of reach for many everyday players.

McNair has chosen a different path.

Aiken Golf Club has deep roots, dating back to 1912, when it opened as an 11-hole amenity for a local hotel. It later expanded to 18 holes under John Inglis, a founding member of the PGA of America who worked alongside renowned architect Donald Ross. The course survived the Great Depression, a hotel closure, and a period of city ownership before McNair’s father purchased it in 1959.

When Jim McNair took over in 1985, the course was rich in history but short on resources. Operating on a tight budget, he wore multiple hats—running the pro shop while also maintaining the grounds. By the late 1990s, however, aging infrastructure and growing competition made it clear that survival would require more than patchwork fixes.

“I realized it was now or never,” he says.

With support from the city, McNair undertook a full-scale renovation. The course reopened in 1999 as Aiken Golf Club, blending its classic design heritage with a renewed identity. In 2012, during its centennial celebration, McNair was recognized as a co-designer alongside Ross and Inglis.

Today, the course measures under 6,000 yards, modest by modern standards but rich in character. Its tight routing, strategic doglegs, and subtly contoured greens reward precision over power. It’s widely regarded as one of the best values in American golf—a distinction that carries even more weight as prices elsewhere continue to rise.

McNair’s impact extends beyond his main course. He also built The Chalkmine, a par-three layout that doubles as a training ground for college players and a hub for First Tee programs. Like Aiken Golf Club, it reflects his belief that the game should be accessible, not exclusive.

In an era when golf is increasingly defined by luxury—and the price tags that come with it—McNair’s approach stands as a reminder that affordability still has a place in the sport.

Jason Day’s Masters Wardrobe Draws Augusta National’s Attention—Again

Jason Day is once again turning heads at The Masters Tournament—and not just for his play.

One year after tournament officials encouraged a more traditional look, Day’s bold fashion choices have reportedly sparked renewed concern at Augusta National Golf Club.

The former world No. 1, who parted ways with Nike in early 2024 to sign with Malbon Golf, debuted the company’s eye-catching “Birds of Georgia” collection earlier this week. On Monday, Day wore a vibrant, bird-themed shirt that quickly drew attention. While the outfit was originally designed to include matching pants, reports indicate tournament officials stepped in, asking him to switch to solid-colored trousers instead.

Additional pieces planned for the week—including a birdwatcher-inspired vest for practice rounds—continue the nature-driven theme. Fellow pro Sungjae Im, also sponsored by Malbon, is expected to wear similar bird-print designs. The collection features native species such as cardinals, blue jays, and eastern bluebirds.

Malbon Golf founder Stephen Malbon said the inspiration goes beyond aesthetics. He noted the designs are rooted in a connection to nature, even sharing bird sounds with Day in the lead-up to the tournament in hopes of sharpening his focus on the course.

This isn’t Day’s first run-in with Masters fashion expectations. In 2024, he made headlines with baggy pants and a bold sweater vest featuring oversized branding. Tournament officials asked him to remove the vest mid-round, a request he honored, later saying he didn’t want his outfit to become a distraction.

Despite the wardrobe buzz, Day’s track record at Augusta remains strong. The Australian finished runner-up in his Masters debut in 2011 and is making his 15th appearance at the storied venue this week.

National Black Golf Hall of Fame Getting New Home

It sure seems like everything is coming full circle for Jeff Dunovant, a PGA Member and the General Manager at John A. White Golf Club in Atlanta. His dream clubhouse, a $30 million facility, is under construction and slated to open late next year at this Bobby Jones Links-managed property. More importantly,  it will finally provide a physical home for the National Black Golf Hall of Fame that his father, Harold, founded 40 years ago.​

From Jeff’s perspective, the Hall of Fame has come a long way from those early, grassroots days. He remembers when it was basically a “family operation” run by his father, mother, brother, sister-in-law, and himself. Now with more than 125 members, it has a board, a marketing director, a treasurer (his wife), and a new home. Until now, it was essentially a virtual organization.

The upcoming 29,000-square-foot, two-story John A. White clubhouse will serve as the home of the Hall of Fame, a senior activity center, casual dining, event space, conference rooms, indoor golf simulators, and a new pro shop. Designed with seniors and golfers in mind, it will combine leisure, learning, and sports into one facility. The plan is to create a warm, inviting space that meets the diverse needs and interests of Atlanta’s senior population, featuring wellness programs, a fitness center, a teaching kitchen, and community activity and meeting areas. The adaptable event spaces can be divided into four sections, each with customizable setups for simultaneous use. They are intended for events, conferences, and gatherings.

“Atlanta golf participation has increased tremendously in the past five years,” says Dunovant. “That brought new golfers to the game, which obviously helped bring players and revenue to our facility. This new clubhouse will not only change John A. White, but the whole west end side of Atlanta. It's going to become a destination where people can play a great nine-hole course, enjoy a great meal after the round, or host functions, and our inductions into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame, where we will have space for up to 200 guests. We're looking forward to that.”

Dunovant’s favorite part? The outdoor terrace that will offer scenic views of the course. Located on the back side of the clubhouse, there will be fire pits and an elevated vantage point that looks out over all nine holes. Dunovant calls it one of the best views in the city, especially at sunrise or sunset.

For all the focus on the building, he’s quick to point out that the course itself was renovated a few years ago and is in great shape. The current project is about elevating the overall experience: pairing that well-conditioned, regulation-length nine-hole layout with a modern clubhouse that serves both golfers and the broader community. As he puts it, the construction feels slow in the moment, but he keeps telling people that once it’s finished and everyone’s enjoying it, they’ll look back and say, “Man, that was worth the wait!”​

Throughout all of this, Dunovant is quick to credit Bobby Jones Links for the support they provide in managing the facility. Having worked for several golf management companies over his career, he says this has been “the most supportive” group he’s been part of. From their Club Support Center, he gets help with everything from strategic direction to vendor relationships, including access to preferred partners like EZ-GO for carts and internal talent pipelines for key hires, such as recently bringing in a superintendent who was ready for his first head role.

“I am so happy for Jeff and the Black Golf Hall of Fame,” says Bobby Jones Links CEO, Whitney Crouse. “Both have been waiting patiently for years for this to happen. The new clubhouse and community center at John A. White will be the perfect place.”

In Dunovant’s eyes, those resources and that backing set the stage for a long, productive partnership between Bobby Jones Links, the city of Atlanta, and John A. White Golf Course, one that underpins both the facility's growth and the future home of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.​

Tiger Woods Turns Down U.S. Ryder Cup Captaincy

In the latest fallout from Tiger Woods’ car crash, the 15-time major champion will not be the U.S. captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

The PGA of America delivered the news via a statement on Wednesday, saying that Woods had “shared with us that he will not serve” as captain for the U.S. team next year.

The decision ends months of speculation over whether Tiger would finally take the reins of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. It also leaves the PGA of America and the U.S. team without a captain with only 18 months to go until the 2027 event in Ireland.

Not long after the European team completed their second-straight Ryder Cup victory over the U.S. team at Bethpage Black, one thing was clear, though unofficial.

If Tiger Woods wanted to be the U.S. captain at the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, the job was his. Given his busy schedule and recovery from surgery, it was never a sure thing that Woods would take the job.

But with the event inching ever closer, a decision was expected soon. We may never know what Woods intended to do.

On Friday, March 27, Woods was involved in a rollover crash near his home in Jupiter, Fla., and arrested and charged with DUI. Woods later pled not guilty to the charges.

Then on March 31, Woods announced he would be “stepping away” from golf and public life to “seek treatment and focus on my health.”

At that point, the Ryder Cup captaincy question was still up in the air, but the PGA of America provided us with an answer on Wednesday.

In a statement released on social media, the PGA of America confirmed Woods had decided not to take the U.S. Ryder Cup captain job.

“Tiger has shared with us that he will not serve as Captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup Team and we support his decision,” the statement read.

“The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to focus on his health and well-being. During this time, we are keeping Tiger in our thoughts and prayers, with sincere hope for his strength, comfort, and recovery. Tiger has meant so much to our Association and to the game of golf.”

The PGA also commended Woods “for prioritizing his long-term health” and said they “deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision.”

The recent car crash aside, this episode closely resembles the process the PGA underwent to choose the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for 2025. Woods was a top candidate for the job last year as well.

But in the end, Woods informed the PGA he would not accept the 2025 captaincy. Keegan Bradley took his spot.

In a statement read during the press conference announcing Bradley’s captaincy, Woods said, “With my new responsibilities to the [PGA] Tour and time commitments involved I felt I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain.”

He added, “That does not mean I wouldn’t want to captain a team in the future. If/when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring for this committee to decide.”

Now we’ll have to wait another two years to find out if the 2029 Ryder Cup is the one where Woods finally serves as captain.

But now there’s a more pressing question. With Tiger out of the running, who will be the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain? The captain crisis comes at a time when the Americans are desperate for some strong leadership. Fresh off an embarrassing defeat on U.S. soil, the team’s second-straight Ryder Cup loss, the U.S. needs a win. But they need a captain first.

The European team has no such problem. Luke Donald has already been announced as the European captain. He’s hard at work preparing to bring his team a third-straight victory in 2027.

You can read the PGA of America’s full statement below.

PGA of America full statement on Tiger Woods’ Ryder Cup captaincy

The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to focus on his health and well-being. During this time, we are keeping Tiger in our thoughts and prayers, with sincere hope for his strength, comfort, and recovery. Tiger has meant so much to our Association and to the game of golf. Since his Ryder Cup debut in 1997, he has been an enduring part of the PGA of America family. His connection to our PGA of America Golf Professionals, and his lasting impact on the sport, have inspired generations and profoundly shaped the game. We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision. Tiger has shared with us that he will not serve as Captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup Team and we support his decision. The PGA of America will share further updates regarding the Ryder Cup captaincy when appropriate. – PGA of America