Kitato Traffic Cup

Sapporo Bay Golf Club

北海道, Japan

Sapporo Bay Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by renowned architect Pete Dye, located in Ishikari City near the mouth of the Ishikari River. The course features a par-72 layout with four tee options: Gold (7,018 yards), Blue (6,476 yards), White (5,948 yards), and Red (5,151 yards). The design philosophy reflects Scotland's prestigious links-style courses, incorporating natural hazards across relatively flat terrain. Key characteristics include strategic water features, bunker placements, and elevation changes on greens. Notable holes include the par-3 16th, which is heavily bunkered on both sides with a narrow green, and the signature 18th—a shorter par-5 that has produced considerable tournament drama. The course features Pete Dye's signature railroad tie concept visible on several holes. The course presents moderate to challenging difficulty across all tee levels, with slope ratings ranging from 125 to 147. Individual holes are notably strategic, requiring careful route selection based on tee selection, wind conditions, and precise green reading. The layout balances risk-reward opportunities throughout both nine-hole sequences.