Red Beef Competition

Kumamoto Aso Country Club Yunoya Course

阿蘇郡, Japan

Located in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, the Kumamoto Aso Country Club Yunoya Course is a 18-hole, par-72 layout designed by Seiichi Inoue and Yoten Ota. Opened in 1952, it stands as the oldest golf course in Kumamoto, originally established as a nine-hole course on former grazing land before being expanded to its current eighteen-hole configuration. The course is characterized by its mountainous terrain, which utilizes natural undulations to create a strategic playing environment that harmonizes with the surrounding nature of the Aso region. The course offers a total yardage of 5,950 yards from the regular tees, with a par of 72. The front nine measures 2,971 yards, while the back nine extends to 2,979 yards. The layout features a mix of par-4s, par-3s, and par-5s, with handicap strokes assigned to specific holes to balance the difficulty. Notable long holes include the 14th, a par-5 measuring 540 yards from the regular tees, and the 9th, a par-5 at 480 yards. Conversely, the 4th hole presents a short par-3 at just 138 yards, while the 8th par-3 measures 175 yards. A defining feature of the course is the "Uma no Se" (Horse's Back) hole, which was restored in October 2023 following the extensive repairs required after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The course was closed for four years after the earthquake but reopened in May 2020. Prior to the disruption, the Yunoya Course had earned recognition as one of Japan's best courses, appearing in Golf Digest's "Japan's Best 100 Courses" and "Beautiful Japanese Golf Courses" publications, as well as Golftoday's "100 Sacred Sites in Japan to Play." The facility includes a clubhouse with a lounge offering views of the Aso mountains, a restaurant open to the public, and practice facilities including a driving range and bunker practice area. The course is situated to provide expansive views of the northern outer ring of the Aso volcano, integrating the natural landscape into the golfing experience. The club maintains a history of producing notable players and continues to operate as a significant golfing destination in Kyushu.