Friend Sunday Open

Friendship Country Club

茨城県, Japan

Located in the city of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, Friendship Country Club is a 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Muneyuki Murayama. The club opened in November 1964 and is situated near the Kinugawa River, part of the Tone River system. The layout is characterized as a flat, forest-style course that utilizes the surrounding greenery and water features. The facility caters to a wide range of players, offering multiple tee grounds for general, senior, and ladies' golfers, with yardages ranging from 4,020 yards to 6,803 yards depending on the tee box and course conditions. The front nine presents a mix of par fours and fives, including a demanding 550-yard par five at the third hole and a 532-yard par five at the seventh. The sixth hole serves as the primary par three on the outward loop, stretching 200 yards from the black tees. The back nine continues this variety, featuring another long par five at the 13th hole, which measures 556 yards from the back markers. The closing holes include a 333-yard par four at the 17th and a 420-yard par four at the 18th, providing a strategic finish to the round. Course ratings reflect the layout's challenge, with a JGA course rating of 72.4 and a slope rating of 132 from the black tees. The facility includes a driving range with nine bays, as well as approach and bunker practice areas. Green complexes are available in both bentgrass and koiri grass varieties, allowing for different playing conditions throughout the year. The course is maintained to accommodate handicap-based play, with specific tee placements designed to ensure accessibility for players of varying skill levels.