Dunlop Cup

Nihon Country Club

入間郡, Japan

Located in Ogo, Okegawa Town, Saitama Prefecture, Nihon Country Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Seizo Tomizawa and opened in July 1970. The property spans 759,000 square meters, offering a distinct contrast between its two nines. The front nine is characterized as an expansive, hilly course where each hole is separated by small mounds, providing wide fairways that reduce tee-shot pressure. In contrast, the back nine is a forest course that utilizes the natural terrain to create a more strategic and wooded playing environment. The course layout features a variety of hole types, including several long par fives and challenging par fours. The front nine includes a demanding 511-yard 1st hole and a 496-yard 3rd, while the back nine presents significant distance challenges with a 556-yard 17th and a 534-yard 12th. The course includes multiple tee grounds, with gold tees available on the 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th holes, primarily intended for grand senior players. The slope rating and course rating vary depending on the tee selection, ranging from a low of 67.1 to a high of 72.3. Strategic hazards define the difficulty of the round. The front nine features the 13th hole, a 511-yard par 5 that requires careful distance management, and the 9th hole, a 450-yard par 4 where the fairway narrows. The back nine is noted for its tree-lined corridors and OB zones; the 10th hole is a 380-yard par 4 with OB on the right, while the 11th is a short par 3 featuring the club's symbol, the "Goshin木" (Sacred Tree). The 17th hole, a 556-yard par 5, is highlighted as a recommended hole for long-drive players, while the 11th is noted for proximity play. Nihon Country Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in July 2020. The facility includes a clubhouse of 2,934 square meters and a practice area with a 200-yard driving range, approach and bunker areas, and a putting green. The course is designed to allow players to enjoy the changing seasons of the Oku-Takase region, balancing the open, airy feel of the front nine with the enclosed, strategic nature of the back nine.