Osafune Country Club ☆ Follow

Located in Setouchi, Okayama Prefecture, Osafune Country Club is an 18-hole, par-70 course situated along the Yoshii River. The facility, managed by the Okayama Tourism Development Foundation, expanded from its original six-hole layout in 1966 to its current eighteen-hole configuration in 1973. The course is set within a landscape rich in history, incorporating the site of the former Fukuoka Castle ruins and surrounded by the region once known for its preeminent swordsmiths. The layout is characterized by a mix of river-side challenges and strategic hazards. The front nine totals 35 par, featuring a demanding opening stretch that includes the 161-yard fifth hole, a short par-3 with a small green guarded by bunkers on the left and rear. The back nine also totals 35 par, highlighted by the 580-yard ninth hole, a long par-5 built on the site of a former airfield runway. The course design requires precise distance control, with many holes featuring bunkers that penalize errant shots into the surrounding bamboo thickets or the river. A signature feature of the course is the 15th hole, a 161-yard par-3 known as the "Omiya Short Hole." Players tee off toward a red torii gate, with the green situated near a small hill that holds a shrine dedicated to Inari. The history of the site is tied to the Fukuoka Castle ruins, adding a cultural dimension to the round. The 14th hole offers a view of a mountain that resembles a reclining Buddha statue, while the 17th hole provides views of the Bizen Ohashi bridge. Osafune Country Club has a history of competitive play, notably hosting the Osafune Pro-Am Tournament, which has gained recognition in the Chugoku region. The club has also produced strong performances in the China Interclub Championships. The course conditions are maintained to support both member play and these regular competitive events, with the layout designed to test accuracy and wind reading, particularly on the shorter par-3 holes.