Tamana Country Club ☆ Follow

Tamana Country Club is a 18-hole, par-72 course located in Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Designed by Iwao Terayama of Fukuoka Kanko Development, the layout opened in 1976 on a site covering 1,000,000 square meters. The course is characterized by its wide fairways and a flat design with minimal elevation changes, set within a forested, hilly terrain where 45% of the total area is preserved as natural green space. The layout utilizes a complete separate tee system, offering back tees that measure 7,096 yards and regular tees at 6,644 yards, with greens maintained in bentgrass. The course is structured to test distance and accuracy, with specific holes designated for long hitters and precise approach shots. The 4th hole, a par-5 measuring 580 yards from the back tees, is recommended for drivers, challenging players to maximize distance off the tee. Similarly, the 13th hole is described as the signature long hole of the club, a 556-yard par-5 where the second shot must navigate around natural forest on the left and right. The 1st hole serves as a demanding starting point, a 453-yard par-4 where reaching the green in two shots is considered difficult for all but the longest hitters. Short holes provide a contrast to the length of the par-5s. The 3rd hole is the club's longest par-3 at 210 yards from the back tees, featuring a green guarded by bunkers on both the left and right sides. The 12th hole, a 175-yard par-3, is also noted as a near-pin recommended hole, requiring precision to avoid the surrounding hazards. The fairways are notably wide, a design choice intended to accommodate a range of players from average golfers to top amateurs. Tamana Country Club has a significant history in professional golf, hosting major tournaments throughout the 1990s and 2000s. It hosted the Kyushu Open Championship in 1993 and again in 2006, as well as women's professional tournaments in 1991 and 1992. The course's most prominent event was the 73rd Japan Professional Golf Championship, hosted by the PGA in 2005. These events have established the course as a respected venue in the Kyushu region, known for its natural setting and challenging layout.