Mito Green Country Club Yamagata Course ☆ Follow

Located in Hitachi-Oomita, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Yamagata Course at Mito Green Country Club is a 18-hole championship layout designed to utilize the natural topography of the region. The course measures 6,955 yards from the gold tees with a par of 72, offering a total of 6,605 yards from the blue tees. The design emphasizes strategic play, utilizing the existing terrain to create a layout that demands precision and thoughtful club selection throughout the round. The course features a mix of long par-fives and technical par-fours, with the 15th hole standing out as the most demanding stretch at 653 yards from the gold tees. Marked as the number one handicap hole, this par-five requires an accurate drive to avoid a central fairway bunker, followed by a delicate approach to a large, fast green. The 11th hole, a 328-yard par-four, presents a different challenge with seven bunkers scattered across the fairway, forcing players to make critical decisions regarding club choice and shot placement. Water hazards play a significant role in the course's difficulty, particularly on the par-4 5th hole where the right side of the green is surrounded by water, and on the 16th hole, a 192-yard par-three that demands a precise carry over a large pond. The 9th hole further tests accuracy, with water guarding the right side and a series of bunkers lining the left, while the green itself is notoriously firm and fast on the front. These features combine to create a course that penalizes errant shots while rewarding well-executed approaches. Mito Green Country Club has a strong history of hosting professional and amateur tournaments, including the Kanto Open Golf Championship and the Ibaraki Open. The course was the venue for the Mito Green Open, a PGA Tour Growing Tournament event, which was held there for several years starting in 1985. Notable victories at the Mito Green Open include wins by Shingo Katayama, who won as an amateur, and Hirofumi Fujita, who secured his first professional title there. The club has also hosted the Ibaraki Prefecture Social Amateur and Senior Amateur Championships, establishing its reputation as a competitive venue in the region.