塩谷郡, Japan
Lope Club is an 18-hole golf course located in Oyabe, Shioya District, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Established in September 1990 as a sister course to the Jun Classic Country Club, the facility was designed by Tadashi Sasaki with supervision from Gene Sarazen, the legendary golfer credited with inventing the sand wedge. The course is set within the rolling hills of the Minami-Nasu region, offering an open landscape that accommodates a strategic layout intended to challenge players through varied routing options. The course features a Par 74 configuration with two distinct tee routes: the Yellow Route and the Red Route. The Yellow Route measures 6,749 yards from the back tees, while the Red Route extends to 6,777 yards. Both layouts provide multiple tee box options, ranging from the forward tees at approximately 5,178 yards to the back tees, allowing for playability across different skill levels. The yardage distribution includes five par fives, eight par fours, and five par threes, with the back nine featuring significant length, including a 560-yard 15th hole on the Yellow Route and a 540-yard 18th hole. Strategic design is central to the Lope Club experience, with Sarazen’s influence evident in the emphasis on shot selection and distance management. The layout encourages golfers to analyze their own capabilities and choose routes that suit their game, rather than following a single prescribed path. This approach creates a dynamic playing environment where players must navigate fairways and greens that demand precise club selection and tactical awareness. The course includes a country resort area with natural hot springs and a clubhouse that blends Japanese and Western architectural elements, providing amenities for both golfers and non-golfers.
