Okudogo Friendship Cup

Okudogo GC

愛媛県, Japan

Okudogo Golf Club is a 18-hole, par-72 course located in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Situated on a hillside overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, the layout is characterized by wide, relatively flat terrain that allows for views of the sea from nearly every hole. The course measures 6,096 meters from the back tees, 5,687 meters from the regular tees, and 5,359 meters from the front tees. The design was conceived by businessman Toshio Tsubouchi, who aimed to create a course where every hole offered a view of the sea, with a layout inspired by the shape of a swallowtail butterfly. The course features a mix of downhill and uphill holes, with several notable challenges. The first hole is a downhill par-4 that plays toward the sea, while the ninth hole is a demanding downhill par-5 with a valley view to the right that adds significant pressure. The front nine includes a long par-5 fifth hole and a water-carried par-4 fourth hole. The back nine presents its own tests, including the narrow, OB-prone eleventh hole, a long par-4 twelfth hole with OB along the left side, and the sixteenth hole, a short par-3 that plays directly toward the sea. Okudogo Golf Club opened on June 8, 1975, and was originally established with a focus on providing a venue for writers and literary figures. The course is closely associated with the famous swordsmen novelist Renzaburo Shibata, who was the club's only member and for whom the course was initially built. The club's history is deeply tied to Shibata, who visited the course frequently and found inspiration in the views of the Seto Inland Sea. The course also has connections to professional golfer Isao Aoki, who visited the club and learned from Tsubouchi's philosophy. The grounds are planted with approximately 100,000 trees, including camellias, cherry blossoms, Washington palms, and phoenix palms, creating a landscape that changes with the seasons. The club has hosted various events and has been featured in golf programs such as "Sunday Golf ~We Love Golf~" and "Egg Golf." The course is known for its strategic design that rewards thoughtful play, with narrow tees and OB areas requiring precision.