Course
Course Designer – Shunsuki Kato from Japan
Special Features – The fairways are between 20 and 30 yards wide and positioning of tee shots is important. The 8th hole is a 180 yard par 3 with a bunker in the middle of the green.
General Playability – The course is in very good playing condition considering the tournament date is 2 weeks later than last year. A severe winter has led to lack of growth and a thinner rough than in previous years. This has resulted in a thinner rough than last year and a few patchy bare areas on the fairway.
Undulating/Flat – The course is flat (Total length of course is 7,300 yards (6,674 metres)
Treelined/exposed –
Many/few Water Hazards – There is water on 13 holes and it comes into play.
Greens
Type of grass - Bent grass L93 – SR 120
Speed/stimp reading – 11.5
Any specific comments – The greens are large and undulating and will be stimping at about 11.5. They are an excellent putting surface.
Fairways
Type of grass – 419 Bermuda
Fairway – Height of cut – 10mm
Tees
Type of grass – 419 Bermuda
Collars
Type of grass – 419 Bermuda
Rough
Type of grass – Zoysia
Semi-rough - Height of cut – 25mm
Rough - Height of cut – 80mm
Other
There area quite a few waste areas, not to be confused with bunkers.
