Course
Opened – 1997
Course Designer – Shunsuki Kato (Japan)
Special Features - Water very much in play on 14 holes
General Playability -
Undulating/Flat – The course is very flat with a few manufactured rock areas about.
Treelined/exposed - Although the rough is not severe there have been several hundred new trees planted in the roughs which has made a big difference
Many / few water hazards - Again, water very much in play on 14 holes
Changes to the Course –
Greens
Type of grass - Bent Grass L93 & SR120
Height of cut - 3.6mm
Speed/stimp reading – 11.5
Any specific comments – Good firmness
Fairways
Type of grass – 419 Bermuda Ryegrass
Height of cut – 12mm
General width and contouring – 20 to 30 yards, generally very flat
Any specific comments - No
Tees
Type of grass – Ryegrass
Height of cut - 10mm
Any specific comments - Due to the cold weather and early date, some of the collars are a little bare.
Collars
Type of grass - Ryegrass
Height of cut – 9mm
Any specific comments - Due to the cold weather and early date, some of the collars are a little bare
Rough
Type of grass – Zoysia
Semi-rough - Height of cut – 15mm
Intermediate – Height of cut – 40mm
Rough - Height of cut – 60mm
Any specific comments – Due to the early date there has been a lack of growth so the roughs are not very penal.
Weather
In advance – Week before: Cold but dry. Unusually cold last few months.
Forecast for tournament – Mostly sunny through midday Friday with rain - Possible Friday night through Saturday. Dry on Sunday.
