Kuma Country Club ☆ Follow

Kuma Country Club is a 27-hole facility located in Kikuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture, situated in the Kuma Basin approximately 20 minutes by car from Yatsushiro City. The course is set on a hill with ideal undulations and elevation changes, offering a layout that combines three distinct nine-hole courses named Satsuma, Hinata, and Higo. The Satsuma and Hinata nines, designed by Shuichi Suzuki of Adachi Construction, opened in April 1973. The Higo nine, designed by Shuto Ebihara, was added in 1988. The total yardage for the full 27 holes is 10,359 yards with a par of 108. The Satsuma and Hinata nines are characterized by their dynamic and expansive nature, featuring moderate undulations and wide spacing between holes that facilitate comfortable play. The Hinata nine begins with a gentle downhill start overlooking the basin, followed by challenging uphill and downhill holes that test distance and accuracy. A notable feature is the seventh hole, a drive-and-pitch shot where the difficulty of reaching the green varies significantly based on the tee shot placement. The Satsuma nine includes a signature seventh hole, a long par-4 that requires a tee shot over a river. This hole gained notoriety during the 1976 Japan Professional Golf Championship when out-of-bounds markers were temporarily moved to red stakes because players could not clear the river from the back tees. In contrast, the Higo nine presents a different strategic challenge, featuring deep tree lines and numerous dogleg holes that evoke the atmosphere of a prestigious club in the Kanto region. The opening hole is considered a formidable start, with a fairway that is obstructed by trees on the right and a large bunker on the left. The course is known for its strategic depth, with holes like the third and eighth requiring precise approach shots to navigate around large trees and bunkers. The final hole on the Higo nine demands accuracy off the tee, with five bunkers waiting to penalize errant shots. Kuma Country Club has a significant tournament history, having hosted the Japan Professional Golf Championship in September 1976, just three years after its opening. The tournament was won by Seiichi Kanai, who defeated a four-man playoff. The course continues to be a venue for competitive play, with course ratings and slope ratings provided for various combinations of the nine-hole nines, reflecting its suitability for both men and women at different levels of difficulty.