静岡県, Japan
Located in Gotemba, Shizuoka, at an elevation of 470 meters on the hills of the Hakone outer ring, Minami Fuji Country Club is a 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Shiro Akihoshi. The layout, which opened in August 1958, offers a total length of 6,832 yards from the fullback tees. The course is situated in a setting of dense evergreen trees, including pine, cedar, and cypress, which provide a consistent backdrop for the undulating terrain. The club's architecture, designed by Antonin Raymond, is noted as the oldest existing clubhouse in Japan built by the architect post-war. The course is characterized by significant elevation changes and strategic hazards that challenge players of all skill levels. The front nine begins with a valley layout, featuring holes with out-of-bounds on the right side, while the back nine presents a contrasting layout with out-of-bounds on the left. This design ensures that both draw and fade ball strikers face equal pressure. The terrain includes steep uphill and downhill shots, with the 13th hole presenting a dramatic 57-meter drop toward Mount Fuji. The 1st hole also features a 45-meter descent, while the 12th and 17th holes require uphill approaches of 39 and 33 meters, respectively. Green complexes are primarily single greens with significant undulation, averaging 780 square meters in size. Many of the greens are elevated, with the 17th green featuring a 1.8-meter height difference that can significantly impact scoring. The course utilizes New Bent A-2 grass for the putting surfaces, with Korean grass on the aprons. Strategic bunkering is prevalent, with 57 sand dams designed to remain stable in wet conditions. The dense tree lines on both sides of the fairways act as vertical hazards, adding to the difficulty of the course. The club's history dates back to its establishment as the first golf club in Gotemba after World War II. It was planned by the first mayor of Gotemba, Shunichi Katsukane, to promote local industry and tourism following the withdrawal of US military forces. The course was developed by a group of 19 founders, including prominent business leaders, and officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Princess Tomiko. The design philosophy emphasizes natural contours and strategic play, maintaining the original layout's integrity since its completion.
