Kasumigaseki Country Club ☆ Follow

Located in Kasukawa, Saitama, on the Musashino Plateau, Kasumigaseki Country Club is a 36-hole facility divided into the East and West courses. The grounds are characterized by lush pine forests, strategic bunkering, and subtle undulations that challenge players throughout the round. The club's name derives from the historical "Kasumigaseki" pass overlooking the Kumagawa River, a location that has inspired poetry since the Heian period. The East Course, originally designed by Charles Alison and significantly renovated in 2016 by Tom and Logan Fazio, plays to a par 71. The renovation preserved the classic feel while introducing more dynamic undulations in the fairways and deep, large bunkers guarding the sloping greens. The course offers varying yardages from the tees, ranging from approximately 5,228 yards to 7,466 yards from the black tees. The layout demands precise iron play, with the challenging finishing holes often deciding the outcome of competitive rounds. The West Course, designed by Seiichi Inoue, presents a par 73 challenge that requires pinpoint accuracy off the tee. The front nine is known for its demanding approach shots, while the back nine transitions into a landscape featuring ponds and creeks. Despite the elegant scenery, the holes are filled with strategic traps that require consistent ball-striking. Yardages on the West Course range from 5,620 yards to 7,095 yards, reflecting the difficulty and length of the routing. Kasumigaseki Country Club holds a significant place in Japanese golf history as the country's first 36-hole country club. It has hosted the Japanese Open multiple times, including in 1933, 1956, 1995, and 2006, as well as the 1999 Japanese Women's Open. The venue also served as the host for the golf tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where competitors from 42 nations played on the East Course. The club continues to support the sport through the long-standing Japan Junior Golf Championship and various community outreach programs.