Laurel Kai (Laurel Club) Competition

Laurel Hita CC

大分県, Japan

Laurel Hita Country Club is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course located in Hita, Oita Prefecture, Japan. The course was designed by Tsuneo Abe and opened in November 1991. Situated on a plateau overlooking the town of Hita, the layout spans 950,000 square meters and features Bentgrass greens. The course is characterized by its flat and spacious terrain, which allows for cart access throughout the round, although cart riding may be restricted during inclement weather. The course offers multiple tee boxes to accommodate various skill levels, with yardages ranging from 5,309 yards for the ladies' tees to 6,794 yards from the back tees. The design incorporates natural hazards, using the surrounding landscape to create strategic challenges. The front nine totals 3,424 yards, while the back nine measures 3,370 yards. The course is equipped with GPS navigation in the carts to assist players with distance management. Key holes include the par-4 5th hole, which is noted as a long and tough mid-length hole where players must avoid left-side out-of-bounds while targeting the right side of the fairway. The par-5 4th hole is a driving distance recommended hole with a dogleg right layout; the fairway is guarded by a penalty area on the right and out-of-bounds to the left, requiring precise tee shots. The 9th hole is a 547-yard par-5 that plays slightly downhill, featuring a wide fairway but a significant waste bunker that penalizes errant drives to the right. The back nine presents its own challenges, highlighted by the par-5 10th hole, a 533-yard downhill opening that requires a long first shot to position for a second shot on the green. The green at the 10th is protected by out-of-bounds to the rear. The 18th hole serves as a spacious finisher, playing 525 yards to the clubhouse, with the second shot requiring accuracy to the left side of the fairway to avoid surrounding bunkers. The course also features natural rock walls at specific holes, adding to the visual and strategic character of the layout.