The Golfer's Journal Podcast Gil Hanse Reveals the 2026 BTS Tour
Jan 14, 2026
Gil Hanse, celebrated golf course architect who restores and designs classic and modern courses, unveils the 2026 BTS Tour schedule. He discusses renovations from Spanish Bay to Lake Merced, preservation work at North Berwick, and creating public designs like Rustic Canyon. Travel highlights include trips to Pebble Beach, Bandon, Ireland, and unique stops such as Sankaty Head and Sand Valley.
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Why The 2026 BTS Tour Is A Golfing Odyssey
- The 2026 Broken Tee Society (BTS) Tour expands to about 45 events showcasing major venues, private clubs, public gems, and international trips.
- Casey Bannon and Gil Hanse emphasize member-driven relationships that open doors at elite clubs and shape the diverse calendar.
Shaping Hogan Gully In Queenstown
- Gil Hanse was in Queenstown, New Zealand working on Hogan Gully with a team including Ben Hillard and Josh McFadden.
- He described the site as breathtaking and said they aimed for a McKenzie/Stanley Thompson bunker vibe while shaping two to three holes already ready for grassing.
A Sensitive Spanish Bay Rework
- Spanish Bay will be reshaped within existing corridors to create a course that sits softly in a dramatic coastal landscape.
- Hanse took the project because it's likely one of the last significant California coastal opportunities and offers major aesthetic potential.