Green Academy Country Club ☆ Follow

Green Academy Country Club is an 18-hole championship golf course located in Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Situated in the expansive natural surroundings of the Michinuku Shirakawa region, the course is set within a lush, green landscape that provides a serene environment for play. The club moved to its current location in Shirakawa from Ishikawa Town in 2016, undergoing significant renovations over the subsequent years to improve course conditions, cart paths, and club facilities. The course is designed to offer a strategic and challenging experience for golfers, with a total par of 72. The layout features a mix of hole lengths and difficulties, including several long par-5s and demanding par-4s. The front nine totals 3,587 yards from the back tees, while the back nine measures 3,475 yards, bringing the total back-tee yardage to 7,062 yards. The course includes multiple tee boxes, including regular, front, and ladies' tees, to accommodate different skill levels. Key characteristics of the course include strategic hazards and varied green complexes. The 3rd hole is a 560-yard par-5 that plays to a two-tiered green, while the 7th hole is a 550-yard right dogleg par-5 that offers a potential shortcut for long hitters. The 14th hole, a 541-yard par-5, features a grass bunker 80 yards from the green, testing players' distance control. Several holes, including the 4th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, and 18th, have out-of-bounds areas or specific tee box restrictions that require precise shot placement. The 11th hole is a 202-yard par-3 that requires carrying a pond, and the 15th hole is a 192-yard par-3 with a right-side green that is recommended for pin-side accuracy. The course is recognized as a venue for professional tournaments, hosting the LPGA Legends Green Academy Cup and being accredited by the Japan LPGA Association. The design philosophy, influenced by the principles of architect Pete Dye, aims to provide a coherent narrative from the first to the eighteenth hole, emphasizing strategy and technical skill. The club aims to be a representative golf facility in the Tohoku region, focusing on learning the history, techniques, rules, and etiquette of the game.