Matsuyama Golf Club ☆ Follow

Situated in Matsusegawa, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama Golf Club is a traditional 18-hole course designed by Hajime Ueda. The club, which opened in November 1958 with nine holes before expanding to its full 18-hole layout in 1964, is recognized as the first serious golf course built in Ehime Prefecture after the war. The course is set within a forest of tens of thousands of pine trees, creating a wooded environment that defines its character. The layout is divided into an Out Course and an In Course, featuring a mix of challenging doglegs and elevated tees. The first hole is a downhill par-4 that requires precision off the tee to avoid OB lines on both sides. The second hole stands out as a demanding 535-yard par-5, where a distinctive camel-shaped mound in the middle of the fairway dictates the approach to the green. The fifth hole is a short par-3 that presents a significant test, surrounded by deep bunkers and OB areas that demand a calculated shot. A defining characteristic of the course is the presence of "Allison Bunkers," a design element derived from the influence of British architect Charles Allison, who trained Ueda. These deep bunkers, often with grass overhanging the edges, are a hallmark of the course's difficulty and traditional style. The greens are maintained as bentgrass, which, combined with the undulating terrain and deep rough, requires accurate approach shots and careful course management. Matsuyama Golf Club has a history of hosting amateur tournaments, including the RNB Cup Amateur Golf Championship, which was held at the course in 1984. The club's grounds cover an area of 736,046 square meters, providing ample space for the varied hole designs that test players from the back tees. The course remains a significant part of the local golfing heritage, reflecting the post-war boom in golf popularity in Japan.