My account of the “new” Tap Room and playing Spanish Bay Golf Links for the last time before its remodel.
This year marked my 10th consecutive visit to Pebble Beach for our annual golf event, a tradition I look forward to every year. Over the past decade, I’ve seen it all from calm, sun-soaked mornings and blustery, rain-soaked afternoons. Every trip brings its own stories, and this one was no different.
This time, though, the golf gods finally delivered. We enjoyed a full week of near-perfect weather with no rain, mostly sunny skies, and temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. It felt like long-overdue payback for some of the conditions we’ve battled in recent years.
After being closed last year for renovations, The Tap Room has reopened, and stepping inside feels both familiar and refreshed. Deep green walls, leather booths, and rich wood accents preserve its historic charm, while updated lighting adds a polished, modern touch without losing that classic “19th hole” feel.
Truthfully, it looks much like I remembered except for one major and welcome addition: the expanded back room, now called the Champions Room. It opens things up in a big way, giving the space some much-needed breathing room and serving as a showcase for golf memorabilia, including iconic pieces like Tom Watson’s wedge from the 1982 U.S. Open.
The menu remains true to its steakhouse roots, while the bar program has been elevated with rare bourbons, scotches, creative cocktails, wine flights, and rotating local craft beers. No trip is complete without a bowl of the Tap Room’s famous Prime Rib Chili, a true must-try for any first-time visitor.
It’s still The Tap Room – just better. The perfect place to unwind, swap stories, and reflect after a day on the course.
This trip also carried a bit of weight, as we played Spanish Bay Golf Links for the final time before its upcoming redesign. The course closed just days after our round on March 18, 2026, and is set to reopen in late spring 2027 following a major renovation led by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner.
The plan calls for a complete strategic overhaul: relocated greens, a new par 3, wider fairways, expanded putting surfaces, improved tee complexes, upgraded drainage, and more sustainable turf. Even the routing experience will evolve, with redesigned cart paths and the par shifting from 72 to 71.
Interestingly, most of the caddies are thrilled about the changes. While a few of the guys in our group appreciated the course as it was, the general sentiment both from caddies and players is excitement for what’s coming next.
Spanish Bay has always had a way of testing you, and a few moments over the years stand out.
I’ll never forget playing the 16th in brutal conditions with rain, sun, and wind gusting around 30 knots. I aimed my drive about 25 yards right of the fairway, trusting the wind to bring it back, and it did. From there, a 170-yard approach with a 5-wood, flighted low through the chaos, found the front fringe. Walking away with par felt like stealing one.
A few years ago, on the short but tricky second hole, I hit a 130-yard approach onto the front tier, leaving a 15-foot birdie putt climbing to the back with about five feet of right-to-left break. I gave it a little extra pace to take some of the break out and it dropped. That putt secured both net and gross for our team in a 48-player field. A pretty sweet moment for a 12-handicap.
Fast forward to this years trip: the pin on this same par-4 was on the right side of the green. I nearly duplicated the same drive I had when I “stole the skins” years ago. As I approached my ball, I turned to the three I was playing with and said, “This is my birdie hole.” Sure enough, I stuck it to about six inches for a tap-in birdie. Sometimes, everything just comes together and the results are as predicted.
And finally the redemption on the par-3 eighth. For years, that all-carry shot over the marsh has given me trouble, especially when the wind comes howling in off the ocean. This time, it was a smooth 9-iron, a slight draw, and 12 feet from the pin. Tap-in par never felt so good.
Walking off Spanish Bay this time felt different. There was a sense of closure, but also anticipation. This “old friend” will return in 2027 with a new look, new strategy, and a new challenge.
The Tap Room is back and as always, it’s the perfect place to share a laugh, settle bets, and cap off an incredible day at Pebble Beach.
